Riparian Invasive Alien Plant Species in Southern Transylvania (Romania): History of Introduction, Chorology and Ecology

Danci, Oana; Drăgulescu, Constantin

doi:10.2478/trser-2023-0001

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…It is also present in anthropogenic habitats such as fence areas, household areas, and roadsides. Despite its wide range of occurrence, it poses the greatest threat to native biodiversity in riverside herbaceous areas and riparian edges, a signi cant part of which belongs to Natura 2000 [23]. Therefore, measures are being taken to reduce the number of wild cucumber plants in particularly valuable natural areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growth kinetics of an invasive wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) and their potential implications for ecosystem biodiversity

Dołkin-Lewko,

Zajączkowska

2024

Preprint

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Background: Rapid changes in the natural environment due to climate change are reflected in the migration of organisms. All habitat types in wetlands and river valleys are particularly vulnerable to alien species. Among these species is the wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata), the vine whose geographical range has greatly expanded in recent years across many European countries. In recent decades, in the literature on plant biology, the main focus has been on molecular and biochemical studies conducted primarily on taxa with relatively well-studied genomes. When working on wild vine species that are invasive plants whose genomes are usually poorly researched, it is reasonable to use different experimental strategies. In this situation, it seems most effective to begin research by focusing on issues related to the kinetics and biomechanics of shoots and tendrils, whose movements determine their ability to compete with autochthonous species. Results: This study employed the time-lapse video method to evaluate the growth parameters of wild cucumber plants, considering different support densities (5, 20, or 50 cm step size). Additionally, the biometric features of the shoots were analyzed and anatomical studies were performed. We demonstrated that the speed of growth of wild cucumbers depends on the available support, and was the most vigorous with dense supports. At the initial growth stage, both the intensity of nutation movements and stem elongation were lower than those in mature plants. Conclusions: Understanding the climbing and growth mechanisms of wild cucumber plants is crucial to developing strategies to limit their expansion. Further research is recommended to delve into the climbing mechanism of this plant, with an emphasis on extending studies to include its growth on natural supports, such as herbaceous plants and trees. These findings contribute to the broader knowledge base required for effective management and conservation efforts against invasive alien species, particularly wild cucumbers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%