Invasive Alien Plant Species—Raising Awareness of a Threat to Biodiversity and Ecological Connectivity (EC) in the Adriatic-Ionian Region

Gazoulis, Ioannis; Antonopoulos, Nick; Kanatas, Panagiotis; Karavas, Nikolas; Bertoncelj, Irena; Travlos, Ilias

doi:10.3390/d14050387

Cited by 12 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 184 publications

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“…For some of these species, such as A. syriaca (with wide distribution, dense stands and large amounts of seeds), it is very difficult to implement an efficient and reliable control programme [59,60]. For these reasons, it makes more sense to control such invasive non-native species at the very beginning of the invasion process than to try to eradicate them later when they are abundant and widespread [61]. This early detection should be based on a system of regular surveys to detect newly established populations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Year Monitoring of Asclepias syriaca L. Spread in the Deliblato Sands Protected Reserve in Serbia

Avramov,

Miljković,

Barišić Klisarić

et al. 2024

Forests

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The invasion of non-native plant species has a detrimental effect on native biodiversity. In a seven-year research project, we investigated the occurrence of the invasive species Asclepias syriaca L.in the Deliblato Sands protected area, located at a south-eastern part of the Pannonian Plain, and identified the factors that contribute significantly to its colonisation. The distribution of this invasive species was monitored on more than 300 km of the accessory, bordering and selected internal roads. A. syriaca occurs within the protected area but is much more widespread on accessory and bordering roads. The number of locations of A. syriaca increased every year of the study, even within the protected area, indicating a further spread of this species. A. syriaca is much more abundant on the north-eastern edge than in the south-west. The reason for this is most likely the much larger area of abandoned agricultural land in the north-east. Roads used for public transport are the main entry points for the further spread of A. syriaca. In contrast, recreational trail use does not enhance the spread in the Deliblato Sands natural reserve. This study can be used to further analyse the ecological dynamics of A. syriaca and to develop timely strategies by which to prevent or slow down its spread.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi-Year Monitoring of Asclepias syriaca L. Spread in the Deliblato Sands Protected Reserve in Serbia

Avramov,

Miljković,

Barišić Klisarić

et al. 2024

Forests

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“…The aim of the DINALPCONNECT project is to identify actions on the ground in order to enhance the macroregional ecological network to respond to the political and economic circumstances that have created transboundary barriers between associated countries, which thus pose a major challenge for the conservation of EC and biodiversity (Gazoulis et al, 2022). In addition thereto, the area between Italy, Slovenia, and Austria is part of the European Green Belt, as is the area between Greece, Montenegro, and Albania -making the project area of great importance for the overall Trans-European Nature Network (TEN-N).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…DINALPCONNECT is the rst EU project attempting to analyse the current situation regarding the EC in the Dinaric Mountains and the Alps-Dinaric connection, and to identify priority areas, barriers, and the most important linkages related to biodiversity conservation and EC (as already stated by Gazoulis et al, 2022). The aim of the present paper is to analyse and display the general permeability of the Alpine-Dinaric landscape, highlighting the Strategic Connectivity Areas (SACAs), and the LCPs connecting them.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Application of the Continuum Suitability Index (CSI) model to display the permeability of the Alpine-Dinaric landscape and to define intervention priorities for ecological linkages

Favilli

Laner

Bertoncelj

2023

Preprint

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The Alps and the Dinaric Mountains are biodiversity hubs and, although they are subjected to heavy human-related pressures, they still show one of the lowest levels of landscape fragmentation in Europe. The DINALPCONNECT project has the aim of identifying the most important geographical areas for ensuring the biological processes and natural movements and the gene flow of wildlife species between the Alps and the Dinaric Mountains. The current paper presents the results of the implementation of the Continuum Suitability Index (CSI) model in combination with the least-cost path (LCP) – GIS model in the DINALPCONNECT project area in order to detect the macro-regional ecological connectivity network stretching from the Alps to the Dinaric Mountains. The aim is to support regional decision-makers in defining the actions that will ensure both the ecological network and local human-wildlife coexistence as regards the most important linkages. The results show that the main core areas (SACA1) of the overall ecological network represent 20% of the total project area. The calculated macro-regional LCP connects 51% of the surface of these areas and reveals great differences in legislation on protected areas between EU and Non-EU countries. The results show that non-EU countries have the highest shares of SACA1 areas outside protected areas, contributing to important macro-regional connections. The CSI is proving to be a highly adaptable model on the macro-regional level, which can include current and future local issues concerning ecological connections. Therefore, the presented GIS analysis could be a valuable tool enabling regional decision-makers to better manage human and wildlife presence and to identify the best actions for the development of the ecological network.

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“…In addition, this species influences the PH of the soil negatively, which can also lead to a reduced soil biodiversity [30,35], although according to other investigations, plants do not affect the pH of the soil significantly [36]. Thus, it is necessary to introduce effective management, which can both suppress alien species and restore community functions [37]. One of the main nature conservation management is mowing [38][39][40][41], but some studies have been carried out on grazing too.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examination of the Effects of Domestic Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Grazing on Wetland and Dry Grassland Habitats

Fűrész,

Penksza,

Sipos

et al. 2023

Plants

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In nature conservation today, there is a global problem with the aggressive expansion of invasive plant species and the conservation of valuable grassland vegetation. Based on this, the following question has been formed: Is the domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) appropriate for managing various habitat types? How does grazing by water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) affect on grassland vegetation? This study was carried out in four areas of Hungary. One of the sample areas was in the Mátra Mountains, on dry grassland areas where grazing had been applied for two, four and six years. The other sample areas were in the Zámolyi Basin, where wet fens with a high risk of Solidago gigantea and in a typic Pannonian dry grassland were investigated. In all areas, grazing was carried out with domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). During the study, we carried out a coenological survey, examining the change of cover of plant species, their feed values and the biomass of the grassland. According to the results, both the number and cover of economically important grasses (from 28% to 34.6%) and legumes (from 3.4% to 25.4%) increased in Mátra as well as the high proportion of shrubs (from 41.8% to 4.4%) shifted toward grassland species. In the areas of the Zámolyi Basin, invasive Solidago has been suppressed completely, the pasture has been converted completely (from 16% to 1%) and the dominant species has become Sesleria uliginosa. Thus, we have found that grazing with buffalo is suitable as a habitat management method in both dry grasslands and wet grasslands. Therefore, in addition to its effectiveness in the control of Solidago gigantea, grazing with buffalo is successful in both nature conservation and economic aspects of grassland vegetation.

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Invasive Alien Plant Species—Raising Awareness of a Threat to Biodiversity and Ecological Connectivity (EC) in the Adriatic-Ionian Region

Cited by 12 publications

References 184 publications

Multi-Year Monitoring of Asclepias syriaca L. Spread in the Deliblato Sands Protected Reserve in Serbia

Multi-Year Monitoring of Asclepias syriaca L. Spread in the Deliblato Sands Protected Reserve in Serbia

Application of the Continuum Suitability Index (CSI) model to display the permeability of the Alpine-Dinaric landscape and to define intervention priorities for ecological linkages

Examination of the Effects of Domestic Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Grazing on Wetland and Dry Grassland Habitats

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