Impatiens glandulifera in Ukraine
Impatiens glandulifera (Balsaminaceae: EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants) is an invasive, annual species native to the Western Himalayas. It was originally introduced into the EPPO region as a garden ornamental and has spread throughout Europe. The current distribution of I. glandulifera in Ukraine was assessed using material from herbarium records and online databases. In total, 529 locations of I. glandulifera were identified (mainly in the east and central north of the country). Assessing the historic expansion of locations showed that in the last 30 years, I. glandulifera has spread exponentially. Habitats where I. glandulifera occurs include valleys, floodplains and in anthropogenic habitats. In Ukraine, I. glandulifera grows with a number of other plant species (in total 89 species were recorded), including native and non-native species. Some of the commonly associated non-native species include Solidago canadensis, Acer negundo, Impatiens parviflora, Erigeron annuus, Erigeron canadensis, Echinocystis lobata and Geranium sibiricum. Twelve ecological factors were assessed in a model to determine which of these had the most influence on the distribution of the species. In the studied areas, the environmental niche of I. glandulifera was estimated to be limited mainly by the amount of water content in the soil, saline, and soil carbonate content. It is estimated that a temperature increase of 2oС could result in a critical shift in the values of soil acidity and salinity that could cause a decline of the 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 negative effect on plant communities of river valley corridors.
Sources
Koniakin SM, Gubar LM, Budzhak VV (2022) Impatiens glandulifera (Balsaminaceae) in Ukraine: its current distribution, ecological and coenotic features. Environmental and Socio-economic studies. 10 46-58.