Black Locust Robinia Pseudoacacia Research Articles

Alien plant species distribution in Romania: a nationwide survey following the implementation of the EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species.

Biological invasions pose an increasing risk to nature, social security and the economy, being ranked amongst the top five threats to biodiversity. Managing alien and invasive species is a priority for the European Union, as outlined in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Alien plant species are acknowledged to impact the economy and biodiversity; thus, analysing the distribution of such species provides valuable inputs for the management and decision-making processes. The database presented in the current study is the first consolidated checklist of alien plant species that are present in Romania, both of European Union concern and of national interest. This database complements a prior published distribution, based only on records from literature, bringing new information regarding the occurrence of alien plants in Romania, as revealed by a nationwide field survey. We consider this database a valuable instrument for managing biological invasions at both national and regional levels, as it can be utilised in further research studies and in drafting management and action plans, assisting stakeholders in making informed decisions and implementing management actions. We present the results of the first nationwide survey of alien plant species in Romania, conducted between 2019 and 2022, in the framework of a national project coordinated by the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests and the University of Bucharest. The present database complements and updates the database published by Sirbu et. al (2022), which included occurrence records published until 2019. The new database includes 98323 occurrence records for 396 alien plant species in 77 families, with most species belonging to the Asteraceae family. One alien plant species in our database, the black locust Robiniapseudoacacia L., had more than 10,000 occurrence records. The distribution database also includes information on newly-reported invasive alien plant species of European Union concern in Romania (i.e. the floating primrose-willow Ludwigiapeploides (Kunth) P.H.Raven) and documents the presence of plants in 44 additional families compared to Sirbu et al. (2022). Each entry includes information on species taxonomy, location, year, person who recorded and identified the alien plant, geographical coordinates and taxon rank.

The demise of enemy release associated with the invasion of specialist folivores on an invasive tree

There is a long history of humans either intentionally or accidentally moving plant species to areas outside of their native ranges. In novel environments, populations of many of these plant species exhibit explosive population growth and spread, in part due to the absence of coevolved enemies such as herbivorous insects. However, over time such enemies can ‘catch up' with their host and re‐establish host–herbivore relationships. Though this phenomenon has been documented in several systems, little evidence exists on how this re‐assembly of enemies results in increased levels of herbivory. In this study we focus on the case of black locust Robinia pseudoacacia, a sparsely populated tree species when growing on undisturbed sites in its limited native range in the eastern USA but a highly invasive species, especially in disturbed environments, in most temperate world regions. We recorded folivore damage on invasive populations in five continents, including both native and invaded portions of North America. Here, we investigated 1) how total foliage damage and damage caused by different groups of folivores differs among regions; 2) how seasonal development of folivore damage differs among regions; 3) how folivory varies with distance from the native range within North America; and 4) how the number of recorded specialist folivores correlates with the amount of folivory. We observed strong differences among regions in the amount and type of folivore damage, with the native range experiencing the highest damage, especially that caused by the native chrysomelid beetle Odontota dorsalis, which is limited to the native and invaded North American range of R. pseudoacacia. Among world regions, total folivory is negatively associated with the distance from the native range and positively associated with the number of established R. pseudoacacia specialist folivore species, supporting the hypothesis that global patterns of herbivore invasions are associated with diminished enemy release.

First Discovery of the North American Leaf-Mining Moth Chrysaster ostensackenella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) in Russia: The Genetic Diversity of a Novel Pest in Invaded vs. Native Range.

Here, we report the first detection of the North American leaf-mining moth Chrysaster ostensackenella (Fitch, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) on North American black locust Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae) in Primorsky Krai (the Russian Far East) in July 2022. Overall, six moths were reared from the leaf mines and identified based on adult morphology (forewing pattern and male genitalia) and three of them were DNA barcoding. Description of the leaf mines that allowed us to distinguish the damage of Ch. ostensackenella from other gracillariids associated with R. pseudoacacia is provided. The phylogeographic analysis comparing the DNA barcodes from Russia with those from other invaded countries in Europe (Italy) and East Asia (South Korea and Japan) and from the native range (North America) was performed. Intraspecific genetic diversity reached 3.29%. Altogether, 10 haplotypes were revealed among 21 studied specimens in the Holarctic. The detection of one haplotype common for Japan and the USA (North Carolina) suggests that the invasion to East Asia could have happened from the USA directly, rather than through Europe. A shared haplotype defined for Japan and the Russian Far East points at a possible moth species' spread to Primorsky Krai from earlier invaded Hokkaido. Further distribution of Ch. ostensackenella in East Asia and Europe is expected, bearing in mind the wide planting of R. pseudoacacia in these continents. Furthermore, an accidental introduction of the moth to the Southern Hemisphere, where black locust was introduced, is not ruled out.

Sexually dimorphic responses to monofloral honeys in the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)

Of twenty species of beetles across six families and fourteen genera found living within the hives of the western honey bee Apis mellifera, only the small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, displays attributes characteristic of an integrated parasitic lifestyle. This species is a pest that can cause severe damage to weakened hives. SHB adults tend to disperse over long distances after they eclose and appear to rely on food odors to locate beehives to infest. Thus, we hypothesized that the floral sources of nectars processed into honey stored in hives may influence SHB orientation toward hives and dietary preferences within hives. We carried out preference assays of individual SHB in an arena with several protein patty substitute diets, each of which was prepared with one of three monofloral honeys (white tupelo Nyssa ogeche, black locust Robinia pseudoacacia, and buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum) or a phytochemical-free control. Male and female beetles displayed different responses to food choices. Female SHB preferred monofloral honey diets (74%) over the phytochemical-free control, and, among the three monofloral honeys, exhibited a strong preference for the white tupelo honey diet over control diets. In contrast, 41% of male SHB in individual assays preferred the control diet over diets containing monofloral honeys. These findings suggest that for males the ability to detect sugar sources is the primary determinant of preference, whereas, based presumably on nutritional requirements in support of oviposition, female SHB may be responsive to a broader range of food-related cues to increase the likelihood of identifying well-provisioned hives.

The Properties of Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia L. to Selectively Accumulate Chemical Elements from Soils of Ecologically Transformed Areas

The black locust Robinia pseudoacacia L. is a common species that originated from North America. In Europe, it is an invasive and introduced plant. Due to its low habitat requirements and ecological plasticity, this species colonizes new anthropogenically transformed areas quickly. This study investigated the chemical composition of selected tissues of Robinia pseudoacacia L. in five various habitats with different levels of anthropopression conditions in southern Poland. The presented research aimed to compare the chemical composition of black locust parts tissues (leaves, branches, and seeds) and the soil under its canopy. To determine the heavy metal contamination and enrichment in soil, the geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor, contamination factor, pollution load index, and potential ecological risk index were calculated. The results showed that all examined soils are considerably or very highly contaminated and the main heavy metals, which pollute the studied samples, are cadmium (1.3–3.91 ppm), lead (78.17–157.99 ppm), and zinc (129.77–543.97 ppm). Conducted research indicates that R. pseudoacacia leaves are the primary carrier of potentially toxic elements. Due to low bioaccumulation factor (BAF) values, it is clear that black locusts do not accumulate contaminants in such amounts that it would pose risk to its use in degraded area reclamation. The obtained results showed that R. pseudoacacia is able to grow in a wide range of habitats and could be applied for greening urban habitats and disturbed ecosystems caused by industry.

Elimination of black locust Robinia pseudoacacia L. as a non-native species in Bielański Forest (Las Bielański) in Warsaw, Poland – success or failure?

We sought to determine the outcomes of 25 years of implementation of the plan for the elimination of the black locust from Warsaw’s Bielański Forest. Forty years was the planned duration of the work to eradicate the non-native species, through the removing of individual trees from stands, repeated every 8–10 years. We presumed that the effects of these silvicultural treatments were positive if during the 1992–2017 study period, it would be possible to note declines: in density (number of individuals per hectare) of black locust trees (even as density of maple trees increased); in the abundance of saplings of the species (as opposed to maple); and in the rate of advancement of the species from the low to the ‘high sapling’ layers (again as opposed to maple). Empirical data were collected from 29 permanent sampling plots every five years. However, just 7 years into the eradication effort, 1999 brought protests from people living close to the Forest, who were left uninformed about the intention to fell black locust trees. These protests proved so effective that they resulted in an almost-complete abandonment of the relevant silvicultural measures. Thus, 25 years on, the conservation goal set for the Forest had only been achieved in part, as the decrease in density of black locust trees in the forest observed for 1992–1997 was followed by a slower process of decline that by definition reflected natural processes, rather than the now-abandoned tree-felling measures. Furthermore, black locust trees were able to continue their advance up from the ‘low sapling’ to ‘high sapling’ layers. The 1999 event thus emphasised, not only the need to secure the participation and understanding of a local community in regard to forest management; but also the requirement that people be educated about their area’s valuable natural attributes, and about the need for nature conservation measures in general.

Biodiversity of Weeds and Arthropods in Five Different Perennial Industrial Crops in Eastern Poland

A growing interest in the cultivation of non-food crops on marginal lands has been observed in recent years in Poland. Marginal lands are a refuge of agroecosystems biodiversity. The impact of the cultivation of perennial industrial plants on the biodiversity of weeds and arthropods have been assessed in this study. The biodiversity monitoring study, carried out for three years, included five perennial crops: miscanthus Miscanthus × giganteus, cup plant Silphium perfoliatum, black locust Robinia pseudoacacia, poplar Populus × maximowiczii, and willow Salix viminalis. As a control area, uncultivated fallow land was chosen. The experiment was set up in eastern Poland. A decrease in plant diversity was found for miscanthus and black locust. The diversity of arthropods was the lowest for the cup plant. No decrease in the number of melliferous plants and pollinators was observed, except for the miscanthus. The biodiversity of plants and arthropods was affected by the intensity of mechanical treatments, the fertilization dose, and the use of herbicides. The biodiversity also decreased with the age of plantation.

Spatial genetic structure of the invasive tree Robinia pseudoacacia to determine migration patterns to inform best practices for riparian restoration.

The black locust Robinia pseudoacacia (Robinieae, Fabaceae) is a common invasive riparian tree in Japan. There are less effective management strategies to remove the tree from the riparian area because of its quickly established high population. We investigated the expansion patterns of R. pseudoacacia through sympatric (i.e. between high- and low-water channel (HWC/LWC) within a study site) and allopatric (i.e. along river corridor) dispersal in the Tama River (Tokyo, Japan). Four microsatellites were used to examine the effects of gene flow on six populations in three sites. These subpopulations showed small genetic distance (i.e. no barrier or slightly limited) and genetically mixed population structure. It indicated that both sympatric and allopatric dispersals were active. Many migrants were younger individuals (i.e. <5 years old) and were found in the LWC area. Thus, the LWC could receive more migrants than the HWC through both types of dispersals. In addition, our age and genetic structure analyses reveal that recruited individuals likely settled immediately after the clearing project of R. pseudoacacia through sympatric dispersal. It appears that the migration by allopatric dispersal occurred following this. For the effective management of R. pseudoacacia, migrants should be removed regularly following initial removal of invaders during site restoration.

Rooting of The Purple Robe Robinia Pseudoacasia L. Cuttings As Influenced by Cutting Time, Cold Storage And Iba

The Purple Robe fruitless cultivar of black locust Robinia pseudoacacia L. is an attractive ornamental tree that widely planted throughout the world for various uses. This study was attempted to propagate this fruitless cultivar of Robinia by hardwood cuttings; at different cutting times, cold mist storage conditions and using various concentrations of IBA.

Woody Vegetation Removal Benefits Grassland Birds on Reclaimed Surface Mines

Abstract Grassland birds have declined throughout North America. In the midwestern United States, reclaimed surface mines often provide expanses of contiguous grassland that support grassland birds. However, some reclaimed surface mines often experience severe woody vegetation encroachment, typically by invasive trees and shrubs, including black locust Robinia pseudoacacia, autumn olive Elaeagnus umbellata, and bush honeysuckle Lonicera spp. We conducted point-count surveys to investigate the effects of woody canopy cover and response to treatments of woody vegetation on the abundance of birds. Our treatments were a control, an herbicide application, and an herbicide application followed by cutting and shredding of standing dead woody vegetation. Estimated density of eastern meadowlark Sturnella magna, grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus savannarum, and Henslow's sparrow Centronyx henslowii was 670%, 958%, and 200%, respectively, greater on areas treated with herbicide and shredding and 279%, 666%, and 155%, respectively, greater on areas treated with herbicide-only when compared with control sites. When woody canopy cover increased from 0% to 20%, densities of eastern meadowlark, grasshopper sparrow, and Henslow's sparrow decreased by 83.9%, 74.9%, and 50.7%, respectively. Conversely, densities of eastern towhee Pipilo erythrophthalmus, prairie warbler Setophaga discolor, yellow-breasted chat Icteria virens, and yellow warbler Setophaga petechia increased 67.4%, 57.0%, 34.6%, and 117.7%, respectively, as estimated woody canopy coverage increased from 20% to 60%. Our results showed treating encroaching woody vegetation on reclaimed surface mines with herbicide and shredding increases available habitat used by grassland birds. Maintaining grasslands on reclaimed surface mines at ≤10% woody canopy coverage would be most beneficial to eastern meadowlarks, grasshopper sparrows, and Henslow's sparrows.

Observation of an Unusual Nesting Association between Spanish Sparrows Passer hispaniolensis and Lesser Grey Shrikes Lanius minor

Abstract We report a case of unusual mixed nesting association of several pairs of Spanish Sparrows Passer hispaniolensis and one pair of Lesser Grey Shrikes Lanius minor near Pepelište village (41° 31′ 11″ N, 22° 7′ 41.43″ E), central Macedonia. All nests were built near the trunk of a Black Locust Robinia pseudoacacia at a height of ca. 8 m. Although the nests of both species were in close proximity, we observed no interspecific aggression. Such a mixed colony could be advantageous for both species in a locality with abundant nest predators.

Comparison of Different Wood Species as Raw Materials for Bioenergy

Background and Purpose: Most projections of the global energy use predict that biomass will be an important component of primary energy sources in the coming decades. Short rotation plantations have the potential to become an important source of renewable energy in Europe because of the high biomass yields, a good combustion quality as solid fuel, ecological advantages and comparatively low biomass production costs. Materials and Methods: In this study, the wood of black locust Robinia pseudoacacia, white willow Salix alba L., poplars Populus deltoides and Populus x euramericana cl.I-214, aged eight years were examined. Immediately after the felling, sample discs were taken to assess moisture content, ash content, the width of growth rings, wood densities and calorific values, according to the standard methodology. Results: The mean values of willow, poplar and black locust wood density were 341 kg/m3, 336 kg/m3 and 602 kg/m3, respectively. The average heating values of willow poplar and black locust wood were 18.599 MJ/kg, 18.564 MJ/kg and 21.196 MJ/kg, respectively. The FVI index (average values) was higher for black locust (17.186) than for poplar and willow clones, which were similar: 11.312 and 11.422 respectively. Conclusions: Black locust wood with a higher density, calorific value and ash content compared to poplar and willow wood proved to be a more suitable raw material as RES. However, it is very important, from the aspect of the application of wood of these tree species as RES, to also consider the influence of the biomass yield per unit area of the plantations established as “energy plantations”.

Quantification of Canavanine, 2-Aminoethanol, and Cyanamide in Aphis craccivora and its Host Plants, Robinia pseudoacacia and Vicia angustifolia: Effects of These Compounds on Larval Survivorship of Harmonia axyridis

The cowpea aphid Aphis craccivora that infests the black locust Robinia pseudoacacia shows toxicity to its predator, the multicolored Asian ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis. In contrast, the same aphid species that infests the common vetch, Vicia angustifolia, is suitable prey for H. axyridis larvae. Previously, it was reported that the toxicity of A. craccivora infesting R. pseudoacacia was due to canavanine and 2-aminoethanol, but there was some doubt about the toxicity of these compounds and their concentrations in the aphids. In the present study, we determined the concentrations of cyanamide, canavanine, and 2-aminoethanol in A. craccivora infesting the two host plants. In the extracts of A. craccivora that infested either of the host plants, canavanine was undetectable, and 2-aminoethanol was detected at the concentration of 3.0-4.0μg/g fresh weight. Cyanamide was detected in the extract of A. craccivora that infested R. pseudoacacia (7.7μg/g fresh weight) but not in that infesting V. angustifolia. The toxicity of canavanine, 2-aminoethanol, and cyanamide was evaluated against H. axyridis larvae in a bioassay by using an artificial diet containing these compounds at various concentrations. Cyanamide exhibited 10-100 times stronger toxicity than canavanine and 2-aminoethanol. These results indicate that the toxicity is at least partly due to cyanamide, which is present in the toxic A. craccivora that infests R. pseudoacacia but absent from the non-toxic A. craccivora that infests V. angustifolia.

Impact of natural enemies on Obolodiplosis robiniae invasion

The gall midge Obolodiplosis robiniae is a pest of black locust Robinia pseudoacacia. The species was recently introduced into Europe and it is nowadays a usual insect in Slovakia, where two-year field surveys were undertaken during 2007–2008. The main objective of this study was to determine the natural enemies attacking O. robiniae and estimate their influence on midge population, less than 3 years after its introduction. Eight parasitoids and bushcricket Tettigonia viridissima were responsible for midge regulation. The parasitoid complex was not typically that of an introduced species as it was predicted. Firstly, the midge was heavily influenced by a specialized parasitoid Platygaster robiniae, which was a predominant parasitoid and accounted for 98% of all specimens reared. Secondly, annual larval parasitism varied from 5.4 to 10.8%, though the late season average parasitism achieved 26.0% and often exceeded 40%. P. robiniae was also very efficient in exploiting galls and was capable of consistently regulating midge population. The surveys demonstrated that the average cumulative impact of natural enemies on the midge was substantial. Stably around 20% of attacked galls were recorded during the late summer. Bushcrickets were as efficient as parasitoids and played an important role at control, especially during lack of parasitoids. Greater impact of parasitoids was found in the larger settlements than it was in the countryside, when countertendency was valid for bushcrickets. There is an indication that O. robiniae parasitized by specialized parasitoid, and attacked by bushcrickets represents only a moderate risk for R. pseudoacacia or forest stands.

English

In this study, natural vegetation development was compared on&nbsp;one&nbsp;abandoned open coal mine spoil and&nbsp;three&nbsp;reclaimed coal mine areas with umbrella pine-Pinus pinea&nbsp;L., maritime pine-Pinus pinaster&nbsp;Ait. and leguminous black locust-Robinia pseudoacacia&nbsp;L. in Agacli-Istanbul. Soil data of these sample areas were determined in previous studies. These properties demonstrate physically and nutritionally poor conditions and some rehabilitative effects after tree species were introduced. The plant species composition and total coverage for each species (vertical projection onto the ground) was estimated visually and recorded on each sample plot. Naturally revegetated plant species, species composition, Shannon-Wiener diversity index values, species richness, evenness, total abundance and their cover-abundance scales were evaluated by comparing each other. Generally, the best-represented species belong to&nbsp;Rosaceae&nbsp;in all investigated plots. Shannon diversity index and its components give the different results among sample plots. However, higher values were found on reclaimed sites. Highest Shannon diversity index (H&#39;) was found on the sample area reclaimed with maritime pine. Plant species richness (S) was highest under umbrella pine and plant species evenness (J&#39;) was highest on black locust sample plot. Despite the sample area reclaimed,black locust has the more fertile soil conditions, it has only the highest plant species evenness (J&#39;) value among areas. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Coal mine, plant composition, reclamation, revegetation, species richness, species diversity

Effects of logging and non-native tree proliferation on the birds overwintering in the upland forests of north-western Italy

Factors associated with management and logging practices are of particular interest in the perspective of biodiversity management. In this study we focused on overwintering birds of two close and contrasting forest habitats: a 60–120 years old oak forest and a secondary 10–20 years old wood that has lost most of its original vegetation because of continuous logging and is now dominated by an introduced species, black locust Robinia pseudoacacia. We examined bird use of the forests over two levels: species–habitat relationships and foraging niches. The former were assessed by means of point counts centred in 50 m radius plots, whereas the latter by observations of foraging behaviour and plant species exploitation. Mean species richness, diversity and abundance of bark foragers was significantly greater in the old-growth stand, where trees were higher and larger but stem density was lower. Almost no wintering bird species occurred at higher density in the second-growth than in old-growth forest, and no foraging birds positively selected the black locust as substrate. Despite the observed differences in biodiversity metrics and plant species exploitation, most birds of the two stands showed few shifts in their foraging behaviour (in terms of foraging technique, substrate, relative horizontal and vertical position) and niche metrics (breadth and overlap). By considering results obtained with the two approaches, we suggest that biodiversity of altered secondary woods can be increased if current silvicultural practices are modified towards (1) maintaining oaks or trees prone to snag formation such as old poplars and (2) preventing black locust establishment in post-clearcut communities.

Differential responses persist in shoot explants regenerated from callus of two mature black locust trees.

Callus cultures were established from internodal segments of shoot cultures from two mature black locust Robinia pseudoacacia L. trees. Callus of both trees produced shoots on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 10 microM 6-benzylaminopurine alone or in combination with 1 microM naphthaleneacetic acid. Regenerated shoots were successfully multiplied on MS medium containing 0.32 microM 6-benzylaminopurine, and produced roots on 0.1 strength MS medium containing 1 microM indole-3-butyric acid. One clone consistently outperformed the other with respect to shoot proliferation and proportion of shoots that produced roots. This distinction had previously been observed in shoots produced from bud explants obtained from the mature trees.