Invasive plants in flora of the Russian Far East: the checklist and comments

Abstract

The paper presents a checklist of the species invading the natural phytocenoses of the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia (FEFD) that includes 40.6 % of the state territory. It summarizes original data on distribution, habitats and inva sive­ ness status (IS) of 116 alien species belonging to 99 genera of 32 families. Eigh­ teen species are only beginning to invade natural cenoses and have IS 3; 76 species intensively invade natural cenoses and are listed in the group with IS 2. Trans­ former are represented by 22 species with IS 1, of which Ambrosia arte misiifolia, Bidens frondosa, Solidago canadensis, Impatiens glandulifera and Hordeum juba tum are most widely distributed. A very strong heterogeneity of the soil and cli mate conditions accounts for a considerable disparity in the list of alien species between various territorial districts of the FEFD. Many species that actively co lo nize southern districts do not occur in the north, or only individual plants of them are reported. The article is a step towards the preparation of the Black Book of the Russian Far East flora and the basis for making decision on prevention the economic and environmental damage of the natural biodiversity of the region. K e y w o r d s : alien species, invasion, Far Eastern Federal District, transformers