Invasion of the Parthenocissus inserta (Kern.) K. Fritsch. in Floodplain Forests of Rostov Oblast

Abstract

Naturalization of woody lianas poses a great danger to the ravine and floodplain forests of Rostov oblast. Therefore, the aim of the work was to study morphology, ecological and biological properties, and the invasive process of Partenocissus inserta. Studies were carried out in the Botanical Garden of the Southern Federal University and in the west of Rostov oblast in a floodplain oak forest at the confluence of the Mius and Krynka rivers. P. inserta penetrates into natural, seminatural, and disturbed communities and also is a part of the urban flora of Rostov-on-Don. In floodplain forests, it is a sub-edificator of the herbaceous layer, where it dominates and forms stable simple synusiae. This is the only representative of understory vegetation; it rises along the tree trunks to a height of 15–20 m, fixing itself in the unevenness of their bark by the twining tips of tendrils. It competes for the light with trees of the first story. This species changes the nature of the forest cenosis over a large area. The P. inserta naturalization strategy corresponds to the empty niche hypothesis.