Factors Influencing the Distribution and Abundance of Non-Native and Invasive Plant Species in the Mountainous Areas: A Case Study From Mt. Zlatibor (Serbia)

Đorđević, Vladan and Stanković, Vera and Kabaš, Eva and Lazarević, Predrag and Šinžar-Sekulić, Jasmina (2024) Factors Influencing the Distribution and Abundance of Non-Native and Invasive Plant Species in the Mountainous Areas: A Case Study From Mt. Zlatibor (Serbia). In: NEOBIOTA 2024 – 13th International Conference on Biological Invasions: book of abstracts. Universidade de Evora, Evora, Portugal, p. 446. ISBN 978-972-778-416-5

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Abstract

The distribution of non-native and invasive plant species in the mountainous areas of the Central Balkans has not been sufficiently explored. The aim of this study was to determine the overall species richness, the number of occurrences and the main factors influencing the distribution and abundance of these species on Mount Zlatibor (Western Serbia). This area is known as a large serpentine massif and an important tourist centre in Serbia. Distance-Based Redundancy Analysis (db-RDA) was used to explore the influence of en-vironmental factors on the distribution and abundance patterns of 18 non-native plant species, including some with invasive status. Data concerning geographical coordinates, altitude, habitat type, bedrock type, climatic factors, light regime, soil moisture, acidity, nitrogen and temperature of the habitats were used as explanatory variables. Habitat types, temperature and precipitation were found to be the factors most effectively affecting the distribution and abundance of the studied species. Reynoutria x bohemica, Erigeron annuus, Robinia pseudoacacia, Amaranthus retroflexus and Galinsoga parviflora occurred most frequently and had the highest abundances. This study highlights the predominant role of habitat types in partitioning the ecological niches of non-native plant species. The results provide a useful basis for the successful design of strategies to protect native habitats from invasion by non-native plants and for planning the control and removal of invasive species.

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