The spread of Impatiens parviflora DC. in Central European oak forests – another stage of invasion?

Abstract

In this study, we examine the pattern of occurrence of Impatiens parviflora in Central European oak forests over time and its ecological requirements within these types of communities. Research was based on phytosociological data collected in 3776 relevés. A modified TWINSPAN algorithm were used to distinguish the groups of oak forests. The ecological preferences of the I. parviflora and studied communities as well as differences between invaded and non-invaded vegetation plots were analyzed using mean weighted Ellenberg indicator values (EIVs). Finally, both the temporal pattern of I. parviflora participation and changes in its coverage in the studied communities were analyzed. Our study confirmed a high adaptability of this species with respect to temperature, moisture, soil reaction and nutrients and determined its broad ecological optimum in oak forests. However, it also revealed both a greater sensitivity of some communities within Central European oak forests to the invasion of I. parviflora and differences in habitat conditions between invaded and non-invaded vegetation plots. This suggests that the habitat niche of I. parviflora within oak forests is not accidental. The analysis of temporal changes in the frequency of I. parviflora confirmed a 20% increase in relevés over the last 50 years. However, we did not identify any statistically significant rise in the coverage of I. parviflora in oak forests specifically during the studied period.

Alien plant invasions in European woodlands

“…Its success is likely linked to its wide habitat niche, high shade tolerance, broad range of pollen vectors, high seed production and long flowering period (Čuda, Skálová, Janovský, & Pyšek, 2014;Trepl, 1984). Some studies suggested that this species prefers soils with an intermediate and high nutrient content (Čuda et al, 2014;Jarčuška, Slezák, Hrivnák, & Senko, 2016;Reczyńska, Swierkosz, & Dajdok, 2015). Consequently, its high frequency could also reflect high nutrient deposition (Jenssen, 2009) and historic land-use dynamics in the European landscape, that is widespread afforestation on former fertilized arable land and an accompanying nutrient legacy in some European woodlands (Koerner, Dupouey, Dambrine, & Benoǐt, 1997).…”

Impact of plant cover on the cavity‐nesting ant Temnothorax crassispinus

“…(Malvaceae), and the common hornbeam Carpinus betulus L. (Betulaceae) (Matuszkiewicz, ). In optimum habitat conditions, both balsams contribute to the herbaceous layer of forests by a considerable amount, and they frequently form dense stands on large surfaces (Reczyńska et al ., ). There is a number of works devoted to comparisons between native and alien balsam in terms of their allelopathic activity (Vrchotová et al ., ), habitat requirements (e.g.…”

“…Alien (Matuszkiewicz, 2001). In optimum habitat conditions, both balsams contribute to the herbaceous layer of forests by a considerable amount, and they frequently form dense stands on large surfaces (Reczyńska et al, 2015). There is a number of works devoted to comparisons between native and alien balsam in terms of their allelopathic activity (Vrchotová et al, 2011(Vrchotová et al, ), habitat requirements (e.g.Čuda et al, 2014Laube et al, 2015), interspecific competition (Skálová et al, 2013), germination (Perglová et al, 2009;) and co-occurrence (Godefroid & Koedam, 2010;Vervoort & Jacquemart, 2012).…”

Comparative floral and pollen morphology of some invasive and native impatiens species

“…Extinctions have sometimes been reported for I. noli-tangere, and knowledge is lacking about the possible contribution of I. parviflora to this phenomenon (Godefroid and Koedam, 2010). Nevertheless, both mechanisms and consequences of its invasion are still poorly understood (Reczynska et al, 2015;Jarcuska et al, 2016;Florianova and Munzbergova, 2017;Skálová et al, 2019).…”