The Naturalization of Wood Introducents in the Cultivated Phytocenoses of the Volyn Region

Abstract

As a result of the long-term botanical surveys of the cultivated phytocenoses in the Volyn region, we identified 338 species, and 14 hybrids of woody plants, including 275 introducents. The vast majority of woody exotics which are used in green plantations do not represent an invasive threat. However, 75 species of woody plants were completely naturalized. Among them, epekophytes dominate by the degree of naturalization – 64 species. There are 11 species of agriophytes. According to the degree of invasiveness, 15 species of introducents are the greatest risks to the existence of cultivated phytocenoses. Acer negundo, Amorpha fruticosa, Lycium barbatum, Padus serotina, Robinia pseudoacacia belong to the category of «high-invasive species». It is necessary to limit or completely abandon the use of green introducents with high phytocenotic activity to prevent invasions and preserve the original style of park plantations, the valuable native species.