Myroslav V. Shevera

Deliberate and unintentional introduction of invasive weeds: A case study of the alien flora of Ukraine

SummaryBased on the analysis of invasions of alien plants in Ukraine, the impact of non-native plant species upon the native flora and adverse consequences of their spread are assessed. A case study gives examples of the role of alien plants in fragmentation of populations of native species; contamination of genetic resources of rare and endangered native species, formation of new ecotypes and hybridization with native taxa, disruption of the structure of natural plant communities as a result of introduction of alien species and formation of specific plant communities with domination of aliens. Arguments are provided against uncontrolled casual introductions and subsequent escape from cultivation as a result of ill-judged deliberate introduction of plants for ornamental, agricultural, technical, forestry, and other uses without any preliminary assessment of their invasion potential in the region concerned. Invasions of alien plants promote dramatic changes in the taxonomic, geographical, and ecological patterns of local floras, disruptions in the phytosociological spectrum, spectra of biomorphs, deterioration of zonal peculiarities of the flora, and finally lead to the decline of the vegetation productivity. A list of highly invasive plant species threatening forest, steppe, and submediterranean zones of East Europe is provided.

Current distribution and spreading of Euphorbia davidii (E. dentata agg.) in Europe

Of the Euphorbia dentata aggregate, both E. dentata and E. davidii have been reported from Europe. A revision of herbarium and published materials, however, indicates that only E. davidii can be confirmed in Europe. Although known in Europe since 1968, most records are from the 1990s. There are 46 known populations scattered throughout the continent, in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and France. Most populations are small and restricted to railway areas; however, the species can also invade agricultural fields. Due to its wide distribution, the growing number of recently established populations, and its invasive ability, special attention should be paid to changes in distribution and population sizes in Europe.

Ergasiophytes of the Ukrainian flora

Abstract The results of an investigation of the ergasiophytes (species deliberately introduced to a region for cultivation) of the Ukraine (458 species) are presented. The systematic, life forms and morphological types of plants with respect to soil moisture spectras, origin and degree of naturalisation of species of thіs group are analyzed. A annotated list of ergasiophytes is provided

The History of Introduction and Present Distribution of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. in the Black Sea Region of Ukraine

By the end of the 20 Century active dispersal Elaeagnus angustifolia L. has been observed in the Northern Black Sea region of Ukraine (Odesa, Mykolayiv, Kherson, and Crimea Regions). The initial centers of its invasion were plantations of trees adjacent to roads where this species was widely cultivated; later E. angustifolia spread spontaneously due to its abundant fruit reproduction. By its degree of naturalization it is regarded as an invasive plant (agriophyte) penetrated natural and disturbed plant communities. In man-made habitats, such as roadsides, railway embankments, waste grounds, and pastures, it usually occurs as solitary trees or in small groups of trees. In semi-natural habitats it usually prefers riverbank habitats and sandy steppes, overgrazed pastures, open sandy areas, coastal sand dunes, floodplain meadows, often saline meadow, stony and steppe-covered slopes of ravines, and rocky screes, mostly on dry soils. In this paper we present a distribution map of E. angustifolia in the Black Sea region of Ukraine.

Molecular studies did not support the distinctiveness of Malva alcea and M. excisa (Malvaceae) in Central and Eastern Europe

Relics of Malva alcea are found in Central and Western Europe. A similar taxon, M. excisa, is native to the eastern parts of Europe. According to selected sources, the geographical range boundary of the above taxa intersects Poland. Taxonomic research relying on key morphological features (the depth of corolla petal incisions and the type of hairs covering the stem) did not clearly validate the distinctness of those species.Genetic variation between Malva alcea and M. excisa was analyzed using ISSR and ISJ markers. The performed analysis did not reveal statistically significant differences at the level of genetic diversity between M. alcea and M. excisa populations. The obtained genetic identity values (I = 0.985) do not support the identification of eastern populations as a distinct biological species of M. excisa. The applied DNA markers did not reveal species-specific bands supporting molecular identification of those taxa. The obtained genetic identity values were verified by neighbor-joining grouping which showed that M. alcea and M. excisa did not form corresponding clusters, thus pointing to an absence of significant differences between the analyzed taxa. Differences between the above species were not revealed by an analysis of the sequences of chloroplast regions trnHpsbA and rpoC1, either.

The transformer species of the Ukrainian Polissya

Abstract The investigation results of the transformer species participation (Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. & A. Gray, Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden., Impatiens glandulifera Royle, I. parviflora DC., Reynoutria japonica Houtt., Robinia pseudoacacia L.) in different plant communities of the Ukrainian Polissya (Forest zone of Ukraine) are presented. All the abovementioned species are strong edificators in the region that can significantly change important species composition parameters of communities and character of landscape.