Impatiens glandulifera (Balsaminaceae) in Ukraine: its current distribution, ecological and coenotic features

Abstract Data on the spontaneous distribution (529 sites) of Impatiens glandulifera in the territory of Ukraine have been collected and studied comprehensively. I. glandulifera invades plant communities of the Phragmito-Magnocaricetea class (1 alliance), Salicetea purpureae (1 association), Alnetea glutinosae (1 association), Robinietea (2 associations), and Epilobietea angustifolii (2 associations). The species phytoindicative assessment, which considered 12 ecological factors, revealed that in its secondary distribution range I. glandulifera shows charactericstics of a stenotopic hygromesophyte, subacidophile and is a semi-eutrophic species. In the studied areas, the environmental niche of I. glandulifera is limited mainly by soil water response (Hd) and saline (Sl) regimes, and soil carbonate content. A thermal regime (Tm) response of the species to an increase in the average annual air temperature by 1, 2, and 30С has been predicted. A temperature increase of 20С could, lead to a critical shift in the values of soil acidity (Rc) and salinity regimes (Sl) that might cause a decline of the species’ potential niches in the studied area. The obtained data have the potential to be useful in limiting the spread of I. glandulifera into new territories and reducing its transforming effect in plant communities of river valley corridors.