Invasions of Alien Plant Species in the South Urals: Current State of the Problem

Assessment of the current state of the introduction of alien species into the territory of the Bashkortostan Republic. Objectives: identification of aggressive neophyte invasion centers, mapping their distribution in the region, the description of communities containing such neophytes, assessment of the population, and reproductive characteristics of these species and the development of recommendations about controlling invasive processes. The characteristics of the adventive component of the flora of the Bashkortostan Republic (457 species) are provided in the article. The most aggressive invasive species (Ambrosia trifida, A. psylostachya, Cyclachaena xanthiifolia, Hordeum jubatum, Bidens frondosa, etc.), which take root in sinantropic and natural communities in proportions of between 18% and 99%, are considered. The biomass of invasive plants is up to 6 kg/m 2 , while the density is over 1,000 escapes per 1 m 2 . Data on the ecology, phytocenotic confinedness and distribution of these species are presented. Ecological harm is connected with the replacement of local plants, the contamination of lands and the allergenicity of the pollen from a number of invasive species.The reported study was funded by RFBR as part of research project № 17-04-00371 and by the state budget as part of state project (№ АААА-А18-118011990151-7