INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN THE TERRITORY OF THE LOZENSKA MOUNTAIN

Abstract

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the data on the main climatic components for three periods - 1921-1945; 1965-1975; 2000-2015 and their connection with the distribution of Invasive alien plant species (IAS) on the territory of Lozenska Mountain. Among the most important features of the mountain’s climate that favorably affect the spread of IAS are the two precipitation maximums and minimums and the period of drought. In response to climate and other environmental changes, IAS on the territory of the mountain are spread in two ways - by forming monodominant communities in extreme habitats or by integrating their populations into the local communities and gradually increasing their presence in them, accompanied by changing ecological conditions of the habitat. Four potential invasive alien plant species (PIAS) have been identified: Opuntia fragilis (Nutt.) Haw., Opuntia engelmannii Salm-Dyck ex Engelmann, Lupinus polyphylus Lindl., Impatiens baulfourii Hook.f., to which population monitoring and control measures need to be implemented.