Species Solidago canadensis L. as invasive plant

Abstract

Introduction. Invasive plant species represent major threats to the conservation of ecosystems worldwide and have major impacts on economics. Due to their rapid rate of spread in plant communities and their ability to replace native vegetation, invasive species have been reported to directly alter landscape structure, biodiversity functioning and composition. Nowadays, with increasing globalization, plants species are currently being introduced to novel ecosystems at an unprecedented rate. Aim of the study. The analysis of sp. Solidago canadensis L. as invasive plant in Europe and its threats to the local native flora of the Republic of Moldova. Materials and methods. The bibliographic complex study of the issue including a database of scientific references. Results. Goldenrod species native to North America are among the exceptionally successful worldwide invaders. Focus of this study is sp. S. canadensis L. (Canada goldenrod), which was introduced to Europe from North America as a garden ornamental in the 17th century, today being widely distibuted across the whole European continent. Canada goldenrod invades a wide range of habitats: semidry grasslands, lowlands, abandoned fields, roadsides and pastures. In the introduced areas, sp. S. canadensis L. promotes monocultures due to its fast growth rate, prolific reproduction as well as strong allelopathic effects on native species. In the Republic of Moldova, sp. S. canadensis L. is included in the uncultivated synanthropic flora, being specific for degraded ecosystems and rural areas, particularly in ruderal and human-created habitats, also being cultivated as an ornamental plant. Conclusions. Canada goldenrod is widely recognized as one of the most widespread invasive species in Europe, nevertheless there is a little knowledge on its distribution and threat invasion for the local flora of the Republic of Moldova. In these circumstances, understanding the distribution of invasive sp. S. canadensis L. is important for nature bioconservation and management.