Invasive Prunus serotina impact on forest community composition in pine forests of Lithuania

In the last two hundred years, forest managers introduced many non-native woody species. Such species can negatively impact ecosystems by invading and disrupting communities and ecosystems, changing biodiversity, nutrient and water cycling. The aim of this study was to determine the invasive Prunus serotina impact on forest community composition in pine forests of Lithuania. Species composition and structure of forest stands with Prunus serotina were recorded in 52 sample plots in pine stands. In each plot dendrometrical characteristics of stand, soil chemical properties and abundance of vascular plant and moss species were recorded in 2016-2017 summer period. It was found that forests communities with Prunus serotina were associated with higher amounts of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, soil pH fluctuated from 3,6 to 5,6. Forest communities with this invasive alien species were rich of plant species. The most common species of undergrowth, which was found in 70% investigated plots was Quercus robur, 60% investigated plots were taken by Betula pendula and 50% investigated plots ranked by Acer platanoides. The most common shrub species, which were found in more than 70% plots – Frangula alnus, Sorbus aucuparia and in 50% investigated plots Padus avium were found. The most common grass species were Rubus idaeus (in 80% investigated plots), Fragaria vesca (in 40 % investigated plots). Moss species - Hylocomium splendens (investigated in more than 42% plots) and Pleurozium schreberi, which were spread in 90 % investigated plots. In the future Padus serotina can negatively impact these native species or compete for nutrients, light, water, but more research is needed to confirm this species impact on pine forests communities’ compositionVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij