Reciprocal contamination by invasive plants: analysis of trade exchange between Slovakia and Romania

Abstract

In this work, potential contamination by invasive plant propagules as a result of trade exchange between Slovakia and Romania, was assessed. National lists, describing biology and ecology of 30 worst invasive plant taxa, were formulated, and trading in period 2006-2010 between countries analysed. Using norms for commodity impurity level, information on species habitat occupancy and literature data dealing with seed/fruit attachment on roads we calculated then potential invasive plant propagule export (PE) for each taxon. We found three fold higher total good export from Slovakia than in opposite direction, increasing export of commodities potentially containing invasive plant propagules exported from Romania to Slovakia and rise of road compared to railway transport. PEs for Slovak invasive plant taxa were one-two orders higher than those for Romanian ones. Potentially most exported taxa for Slovakia were: Amaranthus sp., Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Galinsoga sp., Kochia scoparia and Sorghum halepense (tens to hundreds tonnes each). And these could mostly be exported from Romania: Amaranthus sp., Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Artemisia annua, Conyza canadensis, Cuscuta campestris, Datura stramonium, Erigeron annus, Galinsoga sp., Iva xanthiifolia, Kochia scoparia, Lycium barbarum, Sorghum halepense, Veronica persica and Xanthium orientale subsp. italicum (units to tens tonnes each). High PE was significantly associated with cereals export. Our formula for PE is applicable for any inter- and intra-continental trade exchange.

Characterization of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis to Ragweed Pollen in Two Distinct Regions of Romania

“…In summer the wind blows from the West, from Hungary, which may explain a rapid distribution of ragweed pollen from there. In the Central part of the country the average temperature is lower and at the end of summer and autumn the humidity increases, which would explain a reduced growth of the plant and reduced exposure to ragweed pollen [17,18]. Ukraine and Hungary have made extensive attempts to limit ragweed infestation, but Romania only adopted prophylactic measures to limit ragweed spread in 2018.…”

The Worldwide Spread, Success, and Impact of Ragweed (Ambrosiaspp.)

“…Trade routes and all connected elements, previously discussed as important pathways of introduction and global diffusion, are relevant for short-and medium-range movements (Table 5; Ferus et al, 2015). Nevertheless, on a regional scale, further important vectors of spread linked to human activity stand out: movement of soils, spread of seeds through mowing or agricultural machinery and car and train passage ( Table 5).…”

Trends in the Biodiversity and Invasive Species Dynamics: Local Implications on Forest, Grassland and Ruderal Vegetation in Bratislava City, Slovakia, Central Europe

“…In the forest vegetation, it was recorded only in the more recent period (Table 1). According to the investigation of a potential contamination by invasive plants, resulting from the trade exchange between Slovakia and Romania (Ferus et al, 2015), Stenactis annua belong among the 30 worst invasive plant taxa, which were mostly exported from Romania to Slovakia in 2006-2010. This fact could increase the proportion of this species in the vegetation of Bratislava in the more recent period.…”