Scholarly record

THE RISK OF SPREAD OF INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES IN THE FLOODPLAIN OF THE OSTRAVICE RIVER (CZECH REPUBLIC)

Barbara Stalmachova, Emilie Pecharova, Alena Kasparkova

Abstract

The abundance of invasive plant species in the riverbank vegetation negatively affects the integrity, structure and function of the natural ecosystems. Invasive plant species are stressors for plant communities and they change their species compositions. This leads to species deprivation and homogenised regional flora. The Czech legislation defines invasive organisms as harmful organisms that are allochthones for a locality, which having been introduced into the locality are able to negatively influence plants or the environment, including the bio-diversity. The natural factors that support the invasion of the species into the riverbank vegetation are further emphasised by anthropogenic activities in the vicinity of the watercourses. Among the many disturbances, which are not regular in character, there are also insensitive interferences with watercourses, which may bring significant devastation to natural riverbank covers and changes in the plant competiveness. Due to the interferences, large quantities of soils are also transported, including the potentially present diaspores of invasive species. Within the Project Interreg V-A Czech Republic - Poland CZ.11.4.120/0.0/0.0/15_006/0000059 Assessment of sources and risks related to invasive plant species in the border area of the Czech Republic and Poland, and Project TACR TH02030523- Development of Invasive Alien Species Geoinformation Portal, we prepared a case study of the spread of invasive species (Reynoutria japonica and Impatiens glandulifera) in the river plain of the Ostravice River (Czech Republic) from the river spring to the town of Paskov. With regard to the fact that the watercourse falls into an extensive protected area, the study is highly relevant for the nature conservation management.

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