Occurrence and Spread after 18 Years of Invasion by Fallopia × bohemica (Slovakia)

At the global level, the invasion of alien organisms is considered the second largest threat to biodiversity. Hybrid Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia × bohemica) is an invasive alien species in Slovakia, which is indigenous to eastern Asia. Ragweed is a significant threat to agriculture in Central Europe. In this study, we compare the current occurrence and spread of invasive populations of hybrid Fallopia × bohemica (Polygonaceae) in Hlohovec town (SW Slovakia) in intensively farmed agricultural landscape after eighteen years. In 2001, it had colonized the area of 1520 m2 on 54 localities and in 2011 it increased by 120% (3338 m2, 63 localities); however, in 2018 it decreased by 9% (3051 m2, 43 localities). Surprisingly, the research results in the period 2011-2018 showed that the further spread of hybrid in Hlohovec was not confirmed; even the total colonized area had decreased. The main reason for the reduction of surface area occupied by F. x bohemica is the management measures carried out on habitats railway communications, roads and extensively cultivated fields (home gardens). The size of the areas in 2018 was significantly dependent on the size of the areas in 2001 (r = 0.682) and in 2011 (r = 0.907).

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Opracowanie rekordu w ramach umowy 509/P-DUN/2018 ze środków MNiSW przeznaczonych na działalność upowszechniającą naukę (2019).