The ability to naturalize of the species from the collection “Rare and endangered plant species of Siberia”

Abstract

Phytoinvasions can significantly affect the functioning of natural ecosystems. Naturalization of species is the first stage of invasions. Plant introduction is a potential threat to natural ecosystems. The introduction of plants of rare and endangered species is aimed at preserving the biodiversity of the flora, and differs from the cultivation of plants having obvious economic value. The purpose of this study is to determine the species composition of plants on the territory of the collection site ”Rare and endangered plant species of Siberia”, where agrotechnical measures have not been carried out for 20 years. The mosaic of vegetation cover with the introduction of native species was established. 193 species have been identified, of which 55 species are introduced. The restoration of populations of 11 species missing from the collection in 2000 was noted. A 6-point scale for assessing the ability to naturalize introduced species was developed. The analysis of the current species composition showed that 37 species of introduced species (46 %) have disappeared from this territory since 2000. Of the identified introducers, 12 % species are decreasing their numbers, 19 % occupy within the area of cultivation earlier, 23 % of the species spread throughout the territory to varying degrees. At the same time, the ability to naturalize turned out to be unrelated to the type of reproduction of the introduced species. Half of the introducers have adapted to the new environmental conditions, and have gained a foothold in a new ecological niche.