Formation of the Ranges of Invasive Plant Species in the Altai Republic: Results of the Centennial Naturalization

Abstract

Currently, 10–15% of invasive plant species are recorded in alien floras of all inhabited regions of the world, and their proportion is constantly growing. A particular problem is naturalization of alien species in the regions with high levels of endemism and species diversity, such as the Altai Republic. We have been studying the alien flora of the Altai Republic since the beginning of the 21st century. The ranges of 67 invasive species belonging to 57 genera and 20 families have been identified. Most of the species have been known on the territory of the Altai Republic since the 20th century; ten species have penetrated here in the 21st century. The main method of penetration (vector) is accidental introduction. In all areas, at least singly, there are five species: Amaranthus retroflexus, Bunias orientalis, Matricaria discoidea, Melilotus officinalis, Tripleurospermum inodorum. The orographic and climatic features of the area predetermine a greater susceptibility to invasions for the northern regions and a lesser one for the southeastern regions. Eighteen species are distributed only in the northern regions. Almost all species are found Gorno-Altaisk, Maima district; the least number of species are found in Kosh-Agach district, which is characterized by the most severe climatic conditions. Thirty-five species are invasive in Siberia; 11 species are among the hundred most aggressive species in Russia. On the basis of our own long-term research, taking into account the analysis of available publications and stock materials (Herbarium of the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Gorno-Altaysk State University), as well as other available data (iNaturalist, GBIF), maps of the ranges of invasive plants of the Altai Republic were compiled. For each species, all known localities are given, indicating administrative regions, settlements, river valleys, etc.; the time of discovery is noted, and links to the source are indicated.