The spread of invasive knotweed species in Kampinos National Park Poland
Fallopia japonica, F. sachalinensis and F. x bohemica (Polygonaceae: EPPO List of Invasive Alien Plants) are widespread within the EPPO region and can cause negative impacts on native biodiversity, ecosystem services and economic impacts in habitats where they invade. The three species are still reported to be spreading within the EPPO region. A detailed survey was carried out in the Kampinos National Park (Poland) and the surrounding area (33 villages) between 2012 and 2018. The park was established in 1959 and is the second largest national park in Poland. Different Fallopia species were recorded on 176 sites. F. japonica was recorded in 118 sites of which 64 sites were within the national park and 54 sites were in the buffer zone surrounding the park. F. x bohemica was recorded in 54 sites (6 in the national park and 48 in the buffer zone) and F. sachalinensis was recorded in 4 sites all within the buffer zone. Most of the populations of Fallopia species recorded from outside the national park were close to urban areas along roads or close to gardens where sometimes the species can be grown. These urban populations have the potential to spread into the national park and thus, these populations, especially those within the buffer zone should be controlled.
Sources
Kirpluk I, Bomanowska A, Otręba A (2019) The spread of Reynoutria species (Polygonaceae) in Kampinos National Park and its vicinity (Central Poland). Chornomorski Botanical Journal 15, 17-25.