Regularities of distribution of alien plants in anthropogenic habitats of Sverdlovsk Oblast

Abstract

The results of alien species ecotope distribution analysis in Sverdlovsk oblast are presented. Nine versions of anthropogenic ecotopes pooled into two groups, decorative (residential, park, cemetery) and ruderal-segetal (factory, industrially disturbed, traffic, segetal, coastal water, landfill), are singled out. In the decorative habitats, 243 species occur, and in the ruderal-segetal habitats, there are 286 species. The level of similarity in species composition of decorative and ruderal-segetal habitats (Jaccard coefficient) is 0.54. A common feature of anthropogenic habitats is a very limited number of ecotope specific species—the proportion varies from 1 to 20%. Traffic, residential, and landfill habitats are notable for their very peculiar species composition. At the same time, their plant communities are also characterized by the greatest diversity of alien plants. Only a small proportion of alien species—25 species, or 7%—show a high ecotope activity and have mastered the whole spectrum of man-made habitats. Most alien plants (58%) are found in two to seven habitats and thus are moderately active. About one-third (109, or 32%) of alien species are poorly active and are noted in one particular locality.