Invasion of the Giant Hogweed and the Sosnowsky’s Hogweed as a Multidisciplinary Problem with Unknown Future—A Review

Emilia Grzędzicka

doi:10.3390/earth3010018

Abstract

Caucasian hogweeds are plants introduced to Europe from the Caucasus area. This review concerns the two most common ones—the giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum and the Sosnowsky’s hogweed Heracleum sosnowskyi. The first of them was imported as garden decorations from the 19th century, mainly to Western Europe, while the second one was introduced from the mid–20th century to agricultural areas in Eastern Europe. Nowadays, these two species create one of the most problematic invasions in the world. This review aimed to synthesize research on those invaders based on 277 articles selected from the “Scopus” database. Most of the articles concerned their extensive distribution, at least on a continental scale and the rapid dispersal. The reviewed research showed that the complex physicochemical properties of hogweeds tissues and secretions significantly affected insects, aphids, ants, nematodes, fungi, soil microorganisms, plant communities, birds, and many other components of the ecosystems. This knowledge turned out to be disproportionately small to the scale of the problem. The review also showed what ecological traits of hogweeds were responsible for their wide and various role in the environment. Thus far, no effective method to eradicate Caucasian hogweeds has been found. This could be a growing mistake, given that they are probably during the rapid evolutionary changes within the range of their invasion.

Highlights

Academic Editor: Daniela BaldantoniBiological invasions are one of the most serious environmental problems threatening biodiversity on a global scale
Despite the larger number of articles concerning H. mantegazzianum, it appeared that both selected species of hogweeds were often studied
(15%),(15%), as to knowledge plant ecology describing its chemical composition well itsas impact on biodiversity

Summary

Introduction

Biological invasions are one of the most serious environmental problems threatening biodiversity on a global scale. Scientists and environmental practitioners usually agree that invading species should be removed by any method and at any time. Complete removal of invaders is often not feasible or possible at all. It was usually not investigated whether the removal of invading species harmed some native organisms that have already adapted to them. Due to the present mass extinction of species, urbanization and environmental degradation, as well as irreversible loss of habitats, the removal of biological invasions need to be discussed when it is carried out without compromises with the fact that invaders can create some new niche opportunities for native organisms. This review showed the example of complex invasion, knowledge of which can fill these gaps and significantly affect invasion science

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