Invasive flora within urban railway areas: a case study from Lublin (Poland) and Lviv (Ukraine)

Abstract

Heterogeneous and disturbed habitats within railway areas create an ideal environment for establishment of invasive plant species. In this study, we compared the invasive species composition and abundance within railway areas of two cities, Lublin, SE Poland and Lviv, W Ukraine. In total, 70 invasive species were recorded. The invasive species list was similar for the two cities, with the most invasive species occurring at both (81.4%), 8.5% occurring only in Lublin and 10% only in Lviv. The proportion of invasive species in the total flora was almost 1.5-fold higher at Lviv compared to Lublin. Invasive species have originated mainly from continental America (45.7%), followed by Asia and Eurasia. The participation of invasive plants derived from Asia and Eurasia at Lviv is higher than at Lublin. The invasive flora includes a wide range of taxonomic groups, with a predominance of Asteraceae and Poaceae. The ecological attributes of invasive species on railway areas are: mainly annual therophytes, mostly wind-and insect pollination modes, a predominance of generative reproduction, anthropochorous and anemochorous dispersal and short-term persistent, long-term persistent or transient seed banks.

Pattern of Urban Flora in Intra-City Railway Habitats (Alexandria, Egypt): A Conservation Perspective

“…Scott and Suaeda pruinosa Lange. Similar studies revealed similar cases [ 28 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. Seedlings and juveniles of woody plants and other different life forms contribute to the floristic spectrum of rail transportation areas, which led to some deviation for different vegetation criteria.…”

“…Most of the research was dedicated to the flora and vegetation of railways [ 38 ]. Studies related to the vegetation and flora of railways have been carried out in many places all over the world [ 2 , 4 , 33 , 35 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. In local environments, these habitats can also serve as valuable refuges for some endangered and rare species [ 33 ].…”

Pollination biology and breeding system in five nocturnal species of Oenothera (Onagraceae): reproductive assurance and opportunities for outcrossing

“…Oenothera to invade is probably improved by a high degree of selfing (occurring inter alia at bud stage), followed by anthesis and opportunities for outcrossing, as well as the hybridization of new PTH forms. These characteristics are frequently associated with the invasive spread of species, especially within anthropogenic habitats (Denisow et al 2017). We conclude that the species of Oenothera investigated in this paper are able to ensure autonomous reproductive advantage, especially when pollinators are scarce.…”

Asteraceae species as potential environmental factors of allergy

“…or marigold ( Calendula officinalis L.) (Reider et al 2001 ). Invasive plant species are also common among Asteraceae species (Denisow et al 2017 ). Some anemophilous Asteraceae species are responsible for severe pollinosis, e.g., common ragweed ( Ambrosia artemisifolia L.), mugwort ( Artemisia vulgaris L.), marsh elder ( Iva xanthifolia Nutt.…”