Dendrologické dni v Arboréte Mlyňany SAV 2016 - zborník príspevkov z vedeckej konferencie

ASSESSING INVASIVE TERRESTRIAL PLANT SPECIES IN SELECTED PROTECTED AREAS IN ROMANIA. A GEOGRAPHICAL APPROACH

INES GRIGORESCU – GHEORGHE KUCSICSA – MONICA DUMITRAŞCU – MIHAI DOROFTEI

GRIGORESCU, I. – KUCSICSA, G. – DUMITRAŞCU, M. – DOROFTEI, M. 2016. Assessing invasive terrestrial plant species in selected protected areas in Romania. A geographical approach. In Zborník referátov z vedeckej konferencie: „Dendrologické dni v Arboréte Mlyňany SAV 2016“, 05.10.2016. Vieska nad Žitavou: Arborétum Mlyňany SAV, s. 113-120. ISBN 978-80-89408-26-9

Abstract The study aims at presenting some of the key findings of FP7 enviroGRIDS project - Building Capacity for a Black Sea Catchment Observation and Assessment supporting Sustainable Development; WP5 – Impacts on Selected Societal Benefit; Sub-task 5.6.2: Terrestrial Invasive Plant Species Areas. The authors focus on the assessment of the occurrence, development and spread of the main Invasive Terrestrial Plant Species (ITPS) in the Romanian protected areas in relation to their key environmental driving forces. The overall research was centred on several protected areas (one for each biogeographical region in Romania) of which, some relevant examples are shown in the current paper: Mureş Floodplain Natural Park (Pannonic region), Comana Natural Park (Continental region), Măcin Mountains National Park (Steppic region). Moreover, an integrated methodology for the assessment of the spatial potential distribution of ITPS (ITPS-podismod) was also developed and applied for the selected case-studies.

Key words: Invasive Terrestrial Plant Species (ITPS), protected areas, potential distribution model (PODISMOD), FP7 enviroGRIDS project, Romania

INTRODUCTION

Under the current global environmental changes, biological invasions range among the most critical ecological threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, thus becoming central issues for the conservation of biodiversity. Many of the introduced species establish, spread and invade areas where they are not native, thus affecting all environments, ecosystem services, as well as human physical and cultural health (IUCN Policy Brief, 2012). Consequently, invasive species continue to be acknowledged as economic, environmental, or social threats (CHARLES and DUKES 2006; MCGEOCH et al., 2010) through their high adaptive capacity enabling them to penetrate natural geographic barriers or political boundaries (RICHARDSON et al., 2000; ANASTASIU et al., 2008; ANDREU and VILA, 2010). In protected areas, in particular, biological invasions are disturbing drivers for species, habitats and ecosystem functioning and structure. In Romania, the first invasive plants species have been reported at the beginning of 18th century and ever since, important information was been regularly published (ANASTASIU and NEGREAN, 2005). As a result, an increased number of invasive species were identified and referred to in various scientific works or floristic lists synthesized by SĂVULESCU (1952-1972), CIOCÂRLAN (1988, 1990, 2000, 2009), SÎRBU et al. (2012, 2013), OPREA et al. (2011, 2012), SÎRBU and OPREA (2013). The invasive flora of Romania includes 671 species, of which only 112 can be considered genuine invasive due to their high adaptive capacity and the negative impacts on biodiversity and human health (SÎRBU and OPREA, 2011). The current research focuses on some of the most threatening terrestrial invasive plant species (ITPS) in Romania: Amorpha fruticosa and Ailanthus altissima in selected case-studies from the Romanian protected areas (Fig. 1).

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Dendrologické dni v Arboréte Mlyňany SAV 2016 - zborník príspevkov z vedeckej konferencie

Fig. 1 Selected case-studies in the Romanian natural protected areas (FP7 project enviroGRIDS http://www.envirogrids.net/)

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The continuous expansion of invasive species has led to new approaches of biological invasions, such as understanding the causal relationships with the environmental conditions and triggering driving forces (Tab. 1) and developing prediction models (KUCSICSA et al., 2013; KUCSICSA et al., 2016a). The current approach involved ITPS mapping, database elaboration and the development of a GIS-based potential distribution model.

Tab. 1 The main environmental driving forces responsible for the introduction and spread of the ITPS in the Romanian protected areas. Major driving forces Consequent driving forces soil soil type, soil texture, chemical properties relief characteristics altitude, slope exposure, slope declivity etc. vegetation dominant vegetation types, fragmentation NATURAL water bodies, wetlands lakes, rivers, ponds, marches air/soil temperature, precipitation, air/soil humidity, climate wind, climate change-related signals floods, wind/snow felling, heavy rainfall, aridity and extreme events drought ornamental/recreation, forestry, land management (e.g. planting invasive species rails, tailings, dams), soil erosion prevention and reduction HUMAN agricultural practices crop type, land abandonment, fertilizers INDUCED deforestation/forest fragmentation, forest forest exploitation infrastructure grazing pastures and land degradation waste deposits, transport network, buildings, urban urban development green areas Source: Dumitraşcu et al., 2011, 2012, 2013; Kucsicsa et al., 2013

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ITPS mapping and database elaboration relied on different GIS-based procedures useful for gathering large datasets for modelling habitat quality and distribution of invasive species using various data sources (e.g. soil maps, DEM, land use/cover maps, derived proximity maps) covering both raster and vector information at large and medium scale (KUCSICSA et al., 2016a). Based on the primary ITPS assessment an integrated geographical GIS-based model (PODISMOD–ITPS) aimed at assessing the occurrence and potential distribution of ITPS in relation to the importance of the identified key explanatory factors was developed (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 ITPS podismod scheme (Kucsicsa et al., 2016).

The proposed methodology relies on the ranking (resulting by bivariate analysis) and weighting (based on expert judgement) of each selected driving factor depending on the relationship with the analysed species. Thus, the resulted index was computed based on grid type information, according to the following mathematical operation:

PODISMOD = F1wr + F2wr + F3wr …..Fnwr

where: PODISMOD = potential distribution model; r = rank; w = weigh (1…3); F1, F2, F3 … Fn = selected driving factors.

Finally, a map displaying areas with different probability of occurrence of ITPS in each study- area has resulted.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The characteristics of the natural and human-induced factors can cause a species to invade, persist and expand its area. Thus, an important step in assessing the spreading potential of a species is identifying the main environmental factors affecting their dynamics. E.g. relief features, lithology and soils, climate, hydrography, land use/cover, insertion of invasive species, mining activities, transportation network. Relief features through the morphological diversity could become either favourable or restrictive driving forces for species’ development. Thus, relief morphography and morphometry (hypsometry, fragmentation, and declivity) lead to the differentiation of other natural factors (e.g. lithology, soils, vegetation, climate), ultimately providing a specific natural potential to ITPS. E.g. slopes’ exposure influences the development of Ailanthus altissima mainly on the southern, south- western and western slopes due to species’ preference for light in Măcin Mountains National Park. Lithology and soils, tackled together due to their related physico-chemical characteristics, influences species preference for certain environments. E.g. soils rich in nitrogen support the

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development of Rumex longifolius, alluvial soils favour the presence of Impatients glandulifera, Lathyrus aphaca (SÎRBU and OPREA, 2011) or Amorpha fruticosa (DOROFTEI, 2009; DUMITRAŞCU et al., 2011, 2012), Ailanthus altissima prefers degraded soils. Climate features influence the occurrence and dynamics of invasive species through the characteristics of air and soil’s thermal regime, hygrometric regime, rainfall and wind patterns. However, due to their high capacity of adaptation to various environment types, invasive species can tolerate disturbed sites, thus establishing in areas affected by extreme weather phenomena. Hydrography. Wetland ecosystems are most likely the most susceptible ones because of regular hydrological imbalances (floods) that destroy riparian vegetation causing niches that favour the penetration of invasive species. Thus, rivers act as natural vectors and dispersing agents facilitating the spread of invasive species (FENESI et al., 2009). Land use/cover has a significant influence on the distribution and spread of invasive species. Researches on phytoremediation have shown that high fertilization, mainly the organic kind, has improved the growth rate of the species (Li, 2006; SEo et al, 2008; MARIAN et al, 2010; XIANG et al., 2011). Recent studies have shown that Amorpha fruticosa has improved its invasive potential on meadows and bushes (SĂRĂŢEANU, 2010) and Ailanthus altissima in areas covered by pastures (DUMITRAŞCU et al., 2011; 2012) (Fig. 3). In contrast, forests may represent a limiting factor (for light- loving species i.e. Amorpha fruticosa). Man-induced activities bring about changes in the distribution, structure and composition of plant formations that sometimes can encourage the penetration of invasive species competing with native vegetation. E.g. agricultural practices can influence the dynamics of invasive species through some features such as crop type, land fragmentation, agricultural pollution, land abandonment; forest exploitation through fragmentation and land degradation encourage the penetration and expansion of invasive species by overtaking the affected areas and competing with existing native species (Fig. 3); overgrazing has led to degradation and hence to the decrease in biological diversity and productivity of grasslands. Insertion of invasive species for ornamental/recreational, forestry purposes or for the ecological restoration of degraded lands sometimes leads to species getting out of control, becoming locally abundant and entering into competition with other native species. Mining activities results in a modification of the physical, chemical and biological factors by storing mine tailings or mine water thus favouring the introduction of invasive species (e.g. Conyza canadensis, Impatiens glandulifera, Helianthus tuberosus, Echinocystis lobata) that may constitute a threat to local biodiversity. Therewith, the penetration of invasive species can also be achieved through re-naturalization actions on affected lands using species that can grow excessively. The transportation network is another key factor both as a source of contamination (LI, 2006; SEO et al., 2008, MARIAN et al., 2010; XIANG et al, 2011), as well as a way of introduction/dissemination of invasive species. E.g., in Comana Natural Park railways and major roads show an excellent development potential for Amorpha fruticosa, especially along non- electrified routes (DUMITRAŞCU et al., 2011) (Fig. 3). Potential distribution model. Based on the developed methodology, potential distribution maps were performed for Amorpha fruticosa and Ailanthus altissima in the selected case-studies. In applying the potential distribution model of the selected ITPS, several driving factors were selected depending on their role in the development of each species in the analysed protected areas. E.g. land use/land cover, soil type, soil texture, distance to wetlands, distance to streams, distance to transport network and distance to forest areas for Amorpha fruticosa in Comana Natural Park; soil type, soil texture, land use/land cover, hypsometry, slope declivity, and slope exposure for Ailanthus altissima in Măcin Mountains Natural Park.

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Fig. 3 Ailanthus altissima invading natural pastures (Măcin National Park) (left), compact area with Amorpha fruticosa on former forested areas (Mureş Floodplain Natural Park) (centre) and areas with Amorpha fruticosa along railroads (Comana Natural Park) (right) (photo: Gheorghe Kucsicsa).

PODISMOD map for Amorpha fruticosa in Comana Natural Park points to high and very high potential distribution (6.3%) along railways and riverbeds, forest outskirts and along the banks of Comana Wetland. Medium values cover 17.7% of the study-area, mainly in the floodplain area, close to secondary water courses and close to the forest roads of the southern half of the park area. Low and very low potential distribution (76%) is found within arable lands and compact forests areas (Fig. 5). Relating the mapped Amorpha fruticosa with the potential distribution areas resulted from PODISMOD revealed very good correspondence between species existing and prospective spread territories. Thus, over 88% of Amorpha fruticosa mapped areas overlap the high and very high potential distribution resulted from the model, while nearly 6% match with low and very low potential values (Fig. 6) (GRIGORESCU et al., 2016).

Fig. 4 PODISMOD of Amorpha fruticosa in Comana Fig. 5 The distribution of Amorpha fruticosa Natural Park. (mapped areas) in relation to PODISMOD.

PODISMOD map for Ailanthus altissima in Măcin Mountains National Park mainly highlights low and very low potential distribution (60.3%), especially on the eastern and north-eastern slopes of Măcin Mountains where large oak, hornbeam, ash and linden covered forests are found. Areas displaying medium potential distribution cover nearly 26%, mostly found on Valea Plopilor and Cerna basins upper slopes. Moreover, medium values overlap areas located near Dealu Vinului (323 m) and along Pietrosu and Curătura valleys. High and very high potential cover 14.1% of Park’s area, on the western and south-western slopes of Măcin Mountains, predominantly on the southern half of Pricopan Ridge, Şaua Mare Ridge, Moroianu Hill and forest glades (Fig. 6). Comparing the plots where Ailanthus altissima was found with the spatial distribution of the PODISMOD classes resulted that almost 70% of the mapped areas overlap the high and very high potential distribution, while approximately 5% match with low and very low potential values, thus pointing to a good validation of the model outputs (Fig. 7) (DUMITRAŞCU et al., 2016).

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Fig. 6 PODISMOD of Ailanthus altissima in Măcin Fig. 7 The distribution of Ailanthus altissima Mountains National Park. (mapped areas) in relation to PODISMOD.

PODISMOD map for Amorpa 118ruticose in Mureş Floodplain Natural Park highlights areas with high (39.5%) and very high (8.5%) potential distribution in the proximity of Mureş River and close to the north-central and south-eastern Park border. Here, species prevalence is favoured by the occurrence of protisols and erodisols with varied texture developed under the fragmented forested and shrubby surfaces, especially by forest roads. Medium PODISMOD values cover the largest extent of Park’s area (42.1%), particularly south of Mureş River, where arable lands and pastures developed on fluvisols and haplic chernozems with sand-loam and clay-loam textures are extended. Areas with low and very low PODISMOD values (9.9%) are located in the eastern half of Mureş Floodplain Natural Park, within forested and arable areas (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8 PODISMOD of Amorpha 118ruticose in Mureş Floodplain Fig. 9 The distribution of Amorpha Natural Park. fruticosa (mapped areas) in relation to PODISMOD.

Relating the mapped areas with Amorpha fruticosa with the spatial distribution of the PODISMOD classes resulted that over 90% of the mapped areas overlap the high and very high potential distribution resulted from the model, while less than 1% match low and very low potential values (Fig. 9) (KUCSICSA et al., 2016b).

CONCLUSIONS

The assessment of ITPS in protected areas is an important research direction especially since biological invasions have become increasingly dynamic in native ecosystems, thus requiring complex interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. The development of a comprehensive geographical assessment of ITPS in relation to their main natural and human-induced driving factors through GIS-based investigations and integrated spatial analysis brings in important information in monitoring changes, identifying the potential distribution of species and predict their impacts. Consequently, similar approaches may provide essential information to stakeholders, decision

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makers and park’s administrations in terms of identifying the areas with high and very high spreading potential, acknowledging the increased threat to ecosystems and ecosystem services in order to set up the best management measures and actions for the eradication/limitation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The entire study is developed in the framework of the FP7 – Building Capacity for Black Sea Catchments Observation and Assessment System supporting Sustainable Development (EnviroGRIDS); http://www.envirogrids.net/.

REFERENCES

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Authors’ addresses Dr. Ines Grigorescu Dr. Gheorghe Kucsicsa, Dr. Monica Dumitrascu Institute of Geography RA, Dimitrie Racovita 12, 023993 Bucharest, Romania, tel.: +40 213135990, fax: +40 213111242; e-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Dr. Mihai Doroftei Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI), Babadag street 165, 820112 Tulcea, Romania, tel: +40(0)240 524546, fax: +40(0)240 533547; e-mail: [email protected]

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