Abstract
<p>Invasive plants in their new range can differ from their ancestors, including traits ultimately influencing habitat preferences, competitiveness and dispersal ability. In Europe <em>Solidago</em> species are considered as one of the worst invaders of American origin. In this study the frequency of occurrence of <em>Solidago</em> species, their soil preferences and morphological diversity, in Silesia (south-western Poland, Central Europe) were surveyed. On the basis of phytosociological relevés, made using the Braun-Blanquet method, in 75 plots, we determined the composition of species co-occurring with particular <em>Solidago</em> species. The height of ramets, as well as length and width of inflorescences of <em>Solidago</em> species were measured. We also determined the basic soil properties and noted the presence of trees overshading the ground vegetation. The compositional variation of vegetation and its relation to environmental traits: soil properties (texture, pH, percentage of organic matter, total nitrogen, nitrate, phosphorus, potassium and calcium content) and presence of canopy were analyzed by multivariate ordination methods (CA and CCA). Goldenrod species, in most cases (74.3%) occurred singly, two on one plot – rather rarely (mostly <em>S. canadensis</em> with <em>S. altissima</em>), whereas three <em>Solidago</em> species co-occurred only in three plots. Particular species differed in the height of the plant and inflorescence size, the exception was lack of difference between <em>S. altissima</em> and <em>S. canadensis</em>. <em>S. virgaurea</em> often occurred under trees canopy and the populations were separated from other goldenrod species. The species co-occurring with <em>S. altissima</em> and <em>S. canadensis</em> were the ruderal species, whereas plants from wet meadows occurred in plots with <em>S. gigantea</em>. The distribution of <em>S. graminifolia</em> was very limited, but inside its range it was able to occupy different habitats. The plots, where particular <em>Solidago</em> species occurred, did not differ significantly with respect to soil conditions.</p>
Highlights
Species from genus Solidago are exceptionally successful worldwide invaders from North America [1]
We focused our study on the abandoned fields: which Solidago species occurs there most frequently? Were these taxa able to create single-species stands or the cooccurrence of several species was possible? Do soil properties and the presence of trees control the occupancy of abandoned areas by particular Solidago taxa, as well as influence the lifehistory traits connected with invasiveness? Do the habitat ranges of native S. virgaurea overlap with alien Solidago species?
In the investigated stands soils are mostly regosols, with acidic to neutral reaction, low content of calcium, nitrogen, nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter compared with the average values of the soils of meadows on area of Lower Silesia (Fig. 3, Fig. 4)
Summary
Species from genus Solidago are exceptionally successful worldwide invaders from North America [1]. Among about 120 Solidago species three are invaders, which so far have conquered Europe, large parts of Asia, Australia and New Zealand [2]. In central Europe five representatives of the Solidago genus are found. One species (S. virgaurea L.) is native, while the other four are of American origin, namely: S. gigantea Aiton, S. canadensis L., S. altissima L. Gray] and S. graminifolia (L.) Elliot [3]. Three of the introduced taxa (S. gigantea, S. canadensis and S. altissima) are invasive and morphologically similar to each other.
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