Casual Alien Research Articles

Alien Species Threat across Marine Protected Areas of Turkey—An Updated Inventory

This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of alien species occurrences within the selected 11 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) located on the Aegean and Levantine coasts of Turkey. The inventory includes a total of 289 species belonging to 15 phyla, in which lowest and highest diversities were observed in Saros Bay MPA (27 species, northern Aegean Sea) and Fethiye-Göcek Bay MPA (150 species, northwest Levantine Sea), respectively. Alien species distributions that were revealed in protected areas located in the southern Aegean and Levantine Seas were 56.9% similar (based on presence vs. absence data), while northern Aegean sites formed another distinct group. According to the breakdown of major phyla through the entire study areas, Mollusca had the highest alien diversity (22.1% of alien species), followed by Actinopterygii (19.0%), Arthropoda (15.2%) and Annelida (13.5%). Casual aliens were represented by very low proportions in each MPA, proving that most species were already established in the region, with a significant proportion of invasive species. Regardless of the localities, the majority of the species originated from the Red Sea, whose primary pathway of introduction is the corridor, the Suez Canal. In the absence of effective management actions against bioinvasions, MPAs located along the Turkish coastline do not currently seem to provide any protection, revealing a large conservation gap to be filled.

Recent Discovery of Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson in Italy: Characterization of ALS-Resistant Populations and Sensitivity to Alternative Herbicides

Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson (Amaranthaceae Juss.) is a dioecious noxious weed, native to the Americas, which infests summer crops. It causes high crop losses, and rapidly evolves resistance to herbicides. In Europe, A. palmeri was recorded mostly as a casual alien, but in 2018 it was reported infesting a soybean field in Italy, and the next year two more populations were found in the same area. Experiments were conducted on these three populations to evaluate the resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides, to determine the main resistance mechanisms involved and assess the efficacy of alternative herbicides with different sites of action than ALS. The three populations were confirmed cross-resistant to ALS-inhibiting herbicides (thifensulfuron-methyl and imazamox). Gene sequencing identified a Trp to Leu substitution at position 574 of ALS gene in resistant plants, proving that the main resistance mechanism for the three populations is target-site related. The presence of other resistance mechanisms cannot be excluded. Metobromuron, metribuzin and glyphosate are still effective on these populations.

Different factors influence naturalization and invasion processes – A case study of Indian alien flora provides management insights

Why do some alien plants become naturalized, and some naturalized become invasive? Do different factors determine successful naturalization and invasion? Most, if not all, studies addressing these questions have focused either on the part of the invasion continuum or a specific group of alien species. In this study, we aimed to answer these questions for alien plant invasion in India by considering 13 variables related to biogeography, introduction pathways, uses, functional traits, and distribution for 715 species belonging to three invasion categories. We deciphered the variables’ influence on successful naturalization and invasion through a structural equation modeling framework implemented as path analyses and translated the findings to management implications.Our study revealed that the invasive aliens had significantly higher naturalized range size, a greater number of uses, and higher specific leaf area than the naturalized and casual aliens. Path analyses revealed that the native and naturalized range sizes, number of uses, and growth form had a direct influence on naturalization success, whereas longer minimum residence time (MRT) facilitated overcoming of the dispersal barrier for naturalized species. Invasion success was directly influenced by the MRT and number of uses, which were further influenced by the number of native congeners and the naturalized range size, respectively. Plant growth forms indirectly influenced invasion success, whereas the native range sizes had indirect effects on successful naturalization and invasion by strongly influencing the size of the naturalized range.Our findings suggested considering species biogeography in the formulation of quarantine measures, imposing policies to discourage the uses and spread of alien plants within the country, and implementing early control measures, especially for the naturalized aliens. The curated dataset used in this study would also provide a ready reference for future research and decision-making towards the management of alien plant invasion in the country.

Design a Database of Italian Vascular Alimurgic Flora (AlimurgITA): Preliminary Results.

Despite the large number of data published in Italy on WEPs, there is no database providing a complete knowledge framework. Hence the need to design a database of the Italian alimurgic flora: AlimurgITA. Only strictly alimurgic taxa were chosen, excluding casual alien and cultivated ones. The collected data come from an archive of 358 texts (books and scientific articles) from 1918 to date, chosen with appropriate criteria. For each taxon, the part of the plant used, the method of use, the chorotype, the biological form and the regional distribution in Italy were considered. The 1103 taxa of edible flora already entered in the database equal 13.09% of Italian flora. The most widespread family is that of the Asteraceae (20.22%); the most widely used taxa are Cichorium intybus and Borago officinalis. The not homogeneous regional distribution of WEPs (maximum in the south and minimum in the north) has been interpreted. Texts published reached its peak during the 2001–2010 decade. A database for Italian WEPs is important to have a synthesis and to represent the richness and complexity of this knowledge, also in light of its potential for cultural enhancement, as well as its applications for the agri-food system.

The alien flora of Sudan and South Sudan: taxonomic and biogeographical composition

Studies on plant invasions depend on local and regional checklists of the alien flora. However, global overview studies have shown that some regions, including many African countries, remain understudied in this regard. To contribute to filling this gap, here we present the first checklist of alien plants of Sudan and South Sudan (the Sudans). We analysed the taxonomic and geographical composition of the species on this list. Our result show that of the 113 alien species in Sudans (99 in Sudan and 59 in South Sudan), 92 (81.4%) are naturalized and 21 (18.6%) are just casual aliens. The number of naturalized species represent 2.2% of the total flora of the Sudans (4096). The alien species belong to 44 families and 85 genera, and many of them are native to Southern America and Northern America (85.8%). Annual and perennial herbs are the prevailing life forms in the alien flora of the Sudans (68.1%), and, among the casual species, perennial herbs are underrepresented whereas woody tree species are over-represented. Alien plants of the Sudans are mostly used for medicinal and environmental purposes globally. The naturalized plants predominantly occur in man-made disturbed habitats, such as agricultural and ruderal habitats. This first overview of the alien flora of the Sudans should stimulate further research and recording of the alien flora to better understand the drivers and consequences of alien plants in the Sudans.

New Chorological Data for the Italian Vascular Flora

Despite the importance for scientific and conservation purposes, the knowledge of the Italian territory is far from exhaustive. New chorological data for 87 vascular taxa regarding the central-southern part of Italy and its two main islands (Sicilia and Sardegna) are presented. Among these taxa, Epilobium nummularifolium, Metrosideros excelsa, and Salvinia minima are recorded as casual aliens for the first time in Europe (excluding Azores and Madeira for M. excelsa), while Cyclamen balearicum and Polygala rupestris are reported for the first time and confirmed for Italian native flora, respectively. Furthermore, several taxa are new or confirmed at regional level. Finally, Lathyrus cirrhosus, Urginea fugax, and Linum tenuifolium are excluded from Italy, continental and peninsular Italy, and Sardegna, respectively.

Two faces of parks

To study the role that public parks play as sources of invasions, we surveyed 89 sites in the Czech Republic, comprising chateau parks in urban areas and countryside in various landscapes and socioeconomic contexts, in order to build complete inventories of alien taxa spontaneously spreading outside cultivation in parks or from their surroundings. We describe the richness, diversity, status, frequency and abundance of park floras, explore the relationship between alien taxa, site factors and management practices used in the parks, and assess the invasion potential of the recorded taxa and their interaction with threatened native taxa occurring in the parks. We found that (i) the numbers of escaping invasive species are relatively low, and their population sizes are limited despite the great number of taxa cultivated in parks; (ii) many invasive plants arrived in parks from the surrounding urban and rural landscapes; and (iii) many parks act as refugia for threatened native taxa and vegetation types. We recorded 242 alien taxa, of which 21 were recorded for the first time outside cultivation, representing additions to the national alien flora, seven were cultivars of native taxa, and 26 were native taxa growing outside their natural distribution area in the Czech Republic. The most abundant taxon was the native Hedera helix, which often thrives in its natural habitats; the most abundant alien taxa included the invasive neophytes, Impatiens parviflora and Robinia pseudoacacia. Alien taxa classified as naturalized or invasive in the Czech Republic were recorded as escaping from cultivation in 69% of the parks sampled and casual aliens in only 18%. We recorded 100 Red List taxa, including four critically threatened. Our study shows that parks play a similar role in invasions as other sites in urbanized landscapes, but they also provide habitats for many native taxa. The conservation effect is made possible by regular management primarily focused on aesthetic functions, e.g. removing shrub and tree saplings in specific habitats to maintain open sites and steppe localities.

Annotated checklist of vascular plants of Iceland

The present edition of the annotated checklist is a comprehensive catalogue of all vascular plant taxa: native and alien that occur in Iceland. The checklist features nearly 2500 taxa names, including ca. 1000 accepted names and more than 1400 synonyms and encompasses, apart from the updated list of native taxa, a complete and revised list of non-native plants (both naturalized and casual) as well as a number of more important cultivated species. According to the checklist, there are 426 native taxa in the Icelandic flora. Ten taxa have been classified as doubtfully native, ten taxa have been classified as non-native of unknown age and 19 taxa qualified as archaeophytes. There are at least 65 non-native taxa naturalized in the Icelandic flora. In total, there are 530 taxa able to form self-sustaining populations in Iceland. Apart from the main core, 282 taxa have been registered as casual aliens (not able to form self-sustaining populations). One species – Primula egaliksensis, has been classified as extinct. The list encompasses also 150 taxa excluded from the Icelandic flora, with brief explanations of the reasons that lead to the exclusion.

Status of Some Escaped Ornament Perennials in the Flora of Latvia

AbstractThis paper introduces eight ornamental perennial garden escapees that were recorded by the authors of this article on Lucavsala Island, Riga (Latvia) in 2016. Our data on Achillea ptarmica cv. ‘Boule de Neige’, Artemisia ludoviciana, Asclepias syriaca, Campanula lactiflora, Heliopsis helianthoides, Lathyrus latifolius, Phlox paniculata and Rudbeckia hirta contribute to the knowledge about the occurrence of these taxa in wild. All these species are also growing in the collection of ornamental perennials in the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia. A review of these species in Latvian herbarium collections has been conducted. Five species, Heliopsis helianthoides, Artemisia ludoviciana, Campanula lactiflora, Lathyrus latifolius, Phlox paniculata, were observed for the first time outside cultivation forming relatively stable, reproducing populations. Two species, Achillea ptarmica multiplex cultivar and Rudbeckia hirta, were previously observed in seminatural habitats and, thus, considered as casual aliens at the naturalization stage. One of the species, Asclepias syriaca, was considered a new to Latvia casual alien species with high potential of invasiveness.

Dades de plantes al·lòctones per a l’est de la península Ibèrica

Con las observaciones de los últimos años en el este de la península ibérica (concretamente en Cataluña, País Valenciano y la provincia de Teruel), se aportan un conjunto de datos corológicos de 41 plantas alóctonas naturalizadas u ocasionales. Cabe destacar Annona cherimola y Manihot grahamii que se citan por primera vez en la flora ibérica; Echinopsis pachanoi y Hydrocotyle verticillata para Cataluña; Solandra maxima en el País Valenciano. Se tiene que excluir Opuntia pestifer de la flora valenciana, ya que se confirma que las citas anteriores corresponden a Opuntia aurantiaca. Además, se aportan nuevas localidades de Acacia karroo, Cylindropuntia kleiniae, Euphorbia tirucalli, Leucaena leucocephala, Lophocereus marginatus, Nicandra physalodes, Pelargonium inquinans, Physalis peruviana, Podranea ricasoliana, Sedum pachyphyllum, Senna corymbosa, Tradescantia pallida y Tradescantia sillamontana, táxones interesantes y poco conocidos en la flora alóctona del este ibérico. [ca] Amb les observacions dels darrers anys fetes a l’est de la península Ibèrica (concretament a Catalunya, País Valencià i la província de Terol), s’aporten un conjunt de dades corològiques de 41 plantes al·lòctones naturalitzades o ocasionals. Cal destacar Annona cherimola i Manihot grahamii que es citen per primera vegada a la flora ibèrica; Echinopsis pachanoi i Hydrocotyle verticillata per a Catalunya; Solandra maxima per al País Valencià. Cal excloure Opuntia pestifer de la flora valenciana, ja que es confirma que les cites anteriors corresponen a Opuntia aurantiaca. A més a més, s’aporten noves localitats de Acacia karroo, Cylindropuntia kleiniae, Euphorbia tirucalli, Leucaena leucocephala, Lophocereus marginatus, Nicandra physalodes, Pelargonium inquinans, Physalis peruviana, Podranea ricasoliana, Sedum pachyphyllum, Senna corymbosa, Tradescantia pallida i Tradescantia sillamontana, tàxons interessants i poc coneguts a la flora al·lòctona de l’est ibèric.

Geranium purpureum Vill.: A new casual alien plant in Korea

Naturalization centers are hotspots where accidently introduced seeds first germinate and grow. Railways play important roles as corridors for movement, having positive effects on species dispersal and persistence, though they can also be invasion routes for undesirable plants. Geranium purpureum Vill., a new alien species in Korea, was found at the Bumil Railway Station, Busan, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Most native Geranium species in Korea belong to the subgenus Geranium and section Geranium, but G. purpureum belongs to the subgenus Robertium and section Ruberta, with the “carpel-projection” method of seed dispersal. In other countries, G. purpureum is often compared with G. robertianum L., which is an ornamental plant in Korea. We assume that G. purpureum is a casual alien plant and that it is not likely to spread to other provinces, as it scarcely survives when the mean temperature in January is below 4°C. Moreover, it has not been found further north than Busan. We provide a key of allied taxa, information about the habitat, a description of the morphological characters, illustrations, and photographs.

Contribution to the floristic knowledge of eastern Irpinia and Vulture-Melfese area (Campania and Basilicata, southern Italy)

In order to improve the floristic knowledge of the Italian territory, we report the inventory of the taxa collected during the annual field trip of the working group for Floristics, Systematics and Evolution of the Italian Botanical Society held in 2015 in eastern Irpinia and Vulture-Melfese area (South Italy). The investigated territories are located in southern Apennines, along the border between the Campania and Basilicata administrative regions. These areas are scarcely known in terms of vascular flora. The floristic samplings were performed in 19 sites selected as representative of the local environmental diversity as regards to climate, litho-morphology and land-use. The research led to the identification of 4,137 specimens of vascular plants, belonging to 815 species and subspecies, 399 genera, and 85 families. Among these taxa, 42 were endemic to Italy, 38 were included in the IUCN Red List of the Italian Flora, 28 were alien and 5 were cryptogenic in Campania and/or Basilicata administrative regions. Two taxa, Aquilegia coerulea (casual alien, native to North America) and Lolium × boucheanum (native), were found to be new for Italy. On the basis of the available floristic literature the first one is also to be considered new for the European flora. At regional scale, we have found 18 taxa new for the Campania and 15 new for the Basilicata region. Finally, 10 taxa were confirmed for Campania. Data obtained during this study, confirmed the important role of a collaborative approach among botanists and the great relevance of these territories for plant diversity.

An updated inventory of the vascular flora of Elba island (Tuscan Archipelago, Italy)

We present an updated list of the vascular flora occurring on Elba island (Tuscan Archipelago). The list is based on bibliographic analysis and field studies carried out in the years 2006–2018. With a total of 1,098 specific and subspecific taxa currently occurring on the island (including 101 naturalized aliens), plus 67 casual aliens and 16 hybrid taxa, Elba shows the highest number of species among the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. Two taxa are new for Tuscany: Hieraciumsymphytaceum s.l. and Ophrysexaltatasubsp.morisii; 22 taxa are new for the island, 34 have been confirmed, while 326 were reliably recorded previously by other authors, but not confirmed by our study. We excluded 41 taxa and considered doubtful the occurrence of 87. Life forms and chorotypes are in agreement with the Mediterranean climate of the island. Despite this, Elba also hosts a considerable proportion of Eurosiberian taxa. We detected significant differences in chorotypes and life forms spectra among different geographical portions of the island, paralleling distinct bioclimatic patterns. Despite the institution of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park, we are still far from an integrated protection of the island flora. Based on our results, it has been possible to arrange a geodatabase of the flora on the island, useful for its protection.

An updated checklist of the vascular flora alien to Italy

An updated inventory of the vascular flora alien to Italy, providing details on the occurrence at regional level, is presented. The checklist includes 1597 species, subspecies, and hybrids, distributed in 725 genera and 152 families; 2 taxa are lycophytes, 11 ferns and fern allies, 33 gymnosperms, and 1551 angiosperms. 157 taxa are archaeophytes and 1440 neophytes. The alien taxa currently established in Italy are 791 (570 naturalized and 221 invasive), while 705 taxa are casual aliens, 4 are not assessed, 7 are of unknown regional distribution, 47 have not been confirmed in recent times, 3 are considered extinct or possibly extinct in the country, and 40 are doubtfully occurring in Italy. This checklist allows to establish an up-to-date number (9792) of taxa constituting the whole (native and alien) Italian flora.

Convolvulus sabatius subsp. mauritanicus (Boiss.) Murb. – just a new casual alien plant in Dalmatia or…?

Background and Purpose: The genus Convolvulus (Convolvulaceae) is distributed worldwide. Several species are used as ornamental plants, and one of them is C. sabatius, a native species in Magreb (Africa) and Italy. For Croatia, it was reported just as a cultivated plant. After six years of continuous monitoring, we present here the first locality of its subspecies C. sabatius subsp. mauritanicus, outside of cultivation. Materials and Methods: The floristic survey of the city of Kastela was conducted during the summer of 2011 and 2016, and the site was geocoded by a GPS device. The population of the new alien Convolvulus taxon was continuously observed for six years. Results: The new alien Convolvulus taxon was recorded in 2011 in the settlement Rudine of Kastel Novi (Dalmatia), on an anthropogenic meadow. At first, it was determined as C. sabatius, and it was its first finding outside of cultivation. In 2016 the plant was more precisely determined as C. sabatius subsp. mauritanicus. From a few individuals observed in 2011, after six years the population of the new alien taxon enlarged its size, and in 2016 covers an area of approximately 6 m2. Conclusion: Due to our observation that this plant on the surrounding areas of our locality Rudine is constantly planted, we assumed that C. sabatius subsp. mauritanicus, is just a casual alien plant. However, due to the enlargement of its population and weed “behevior” in similar climatic areas of Europe and Australia, further monitoring of the locality is recommended, and possible eradication measures in the future, as well.

Alien flora of Turkey: checklist, taxonomic composition and ecological attributes

The paper provides an updated checklist of the alien flora of Turkey with information on its structure. The alien flora of Turkey comprises 340 taxa, among which there are 321 angiosperms, 17 gymnosperms and two ferns. Of the total number of taxa, 228 (68%) are naturalized and 112 (32%) are casual. There are 275 neophytes (172 naturalized and 103 casual) and 61 archaeophytes (52 naturalized and 9 casual); four species could not be classified with respect to the residence time. In addition, 47 frequently planted taxa with a potential to escape are also listed. The richest families are Asteraceae (38 taxa), Poaceae (30), Fabaceae (23) and Solanaceae (22). As for the naturalized alien plants, the highest species richness is found in Asteraceae (31 taxa), Poaceae (22), Amaranthaceae (18) and Solanaceae (15). The majority of alien taxa are perennial (63.8% of the total number of taxa with this life history assigned, including those with multiple life histories), annuals contribute 33.8% and 2.4% are biennial aliens. Among perennials the most common life forms are phanerophytes, of which 20.3% are trees and 12.6% shrubs; woody vines, stem succulents, and aquatic plants are comparatively less represented. Most of the 340 alien taxa introduced to Turkey have their native ranges in Americas (44.7%) and Asia (27.6%). Of other regions, 9.1% originated in Africa, 4.4% in Eurasia, 3.8% in Australia and Oceania and 3.5% in the Mediterranean. The majority of taxa (71.9%) were introduced intentionally, whereas the remaining (28.1%) were introduced accidentally. Among the taxa introduced intentionally, the vast majority are ornamental plants (55.2%), 10.0% taxa were introduced for forestry and 6.7% as crops. Casual alien plants are most commonly found in urban and ruderal habitats (40.1%) where naturalized taxa are also often recorded (27.3%). Plants that occur as agricultural weeds are typically naturalized rather than casual (16.0% vs 7.1%, respectively). However, (semi)natural habitats in Turkey are often invaded by alien taxa, especially by those that are able to naturalize.

FourAmbrosiaspecies in Israel: invasive, naturalized and casual alien plants

Four<i>Ambrosia</i>species in Israel: invasive, naturalized and casual alien plants

Erigeron sumatrensis (Asteraceae), casual alien new to the Polish flora / Erigeron sumatrensis (Asteraceae) – nauja atsitiktinai patekusi svetimžemė Lenkijos floros rūšis

Abstract Erigeron sumatrensis is newly reported as casual alien in Poland. A single plant was found growing on the edge of the roadside in Głogoczów near Mogilany, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, southern Poland. The locality was mapped by using the ATPOL cartogram method, and the pathway of introduction by road transport was presented.

New alien plant species recorded in the southern regions of Latvia / Pietiniuose Latvijos rajonuose aptiktos naujos svetimžemės augalų rūšys

Abstract Alien plants are one of the most dynamic and rapidly changing components of flora. Many intentionally introduced plants, which formerly were in cultivation only, now are increasingly found escaped and occur in anthropogenic or seminatural habitats. During field investigations in the southern districts of Latvia in 2014-2016, six new alien plant species were recorded: Allium nutans, Hylotelephium spectabile, Solidago ×niederederi, Symphyotrichum dumosum, S. lanceolatum and S. novae-angliae. To date, four species, Allium nutans, Hylotelephium spectabile, Symphyotrichum dumosum and S. novae-angliae, occur as casual aliens in Latvia. Solidago ×niederederi should be ascribed to the group of established species, whereas Symphyotrichum lanceolatum has naturalized and is potentially invasive. Notes on morphology and identification of species as well as characteristics of the recorded populations are discussed. A note on 20 other alien plant species recorded in wastelands, abandoned meadows and unused arable fields in the south-western part of Daugavpils city is also provided.

Naturalization of Fragaria × ananassa Duch. in Western Siberia

The process of the Fragaria × ananassa naturalization in Western Siberia lasts approximately 80 years from the moment of the appearance of first garden strawberry cultivars at agricultural experimental stations in 1933. The species invasive status changed slightly for such a long period of time (from casual alien plants to naturalized plants), and it corresponds to colonophytes in regards to degree of naturalization. The ornitochory is one reason the F. × ananassa appears in natural phytocenoses. At present, the F. × ananassa naturalization occurs in two directions, including genetic transformations in long-living coenopopulations and the reinvasion of new ecotypes of the same species in natural phytocenoses. The high death of seedlings in naturalized F. × ananassa does not allow the species to actively occupy regeneration niches in natural phytocenoses, which precludes the invasive plant status for the F. × ananassa at this stage of the F. × ananassa naturalization in Western Siberia.