engleski

Review of Alien Freshwater Vascular Plants in South-east Europe

Data on the current distribution and status of alien freshwater plants in the ESENIAS countries were compiled from the literature, herbarium records and the personal knowledge of regional specialists. The focus of this work was on plants which are able to grow with their roots permanently in water, rather than including the large numbers of marginal plants and species occurring in ephemeral wetlands. 45 alien aquatic plant species were recorded, of which only four were widespread and nine considered invasive. Most countries in the region support the same widespread alien freshwater plants as occur throughout Europe but there is a much greater representation of species originating in the tropics. Alien freshwater plants occurring in the ESENIAS countries mainly originate either from the horticultural trade or rice cultivation. There has been an almost exponential increase in the number of alien aquatic plant species in the region since the start of the 20th century. Although initiatives aimed at public awareness and legislative controls on sale of invasive taxa may help to reduce the rate of invasion, the most effective way to tackle the problem is through an industry-led quality standard, linked to biosecurity and good practice.

Plant invasions, biogeographical pattern, donor regions, habitat affinity, residence time, temporal trends

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