Invasive plants in Belarus
The introduction of alien species into the natural environment of Belarus has taken place at a rapid rate over the last few decades. The entry of new invasive plant species has intensified with increased transport (road, railway, river) and the movement of goods. A number of invasive alien plants have been introduced in Belarus via the trade of agricultural and ornamental species. An inventory of the alien flora of Belarus was undertaken between 2008–2020 throughout the territory of the country. Approximately, 300 taxa of non-native plants are currently classified as potentially invasive. 52 invasive plant species (Table 1) have been recorded in Belarus. These species threaten biodiversity, human health, and the economy. Further surveys are planned, and management action should be initiated against those species with the highest impact on plant health and the natural environment.
Table 1. 52 invasive alien plant species recorded in Belarus
Species | Family | EPPO Status |
Acer negundo | Aceraceae | none |
Acorus calamus | Araceae | none |
Ambrosia artemisiifolia | Asteraceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Amelanchier spicata | Rosaceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Angelica archangelica | Apiaceae | none |
Aronia mitschurinii | Rosaceae | none |
Asclepias syriaca | Asclepiadaceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Bidens connata | Asteraceae | none |
Bidens frondosa | Asteraceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Cytisus scoparius | Fabaceae | none |
Echinocystis lobata | Cucurbitaceae | none |
Elodea canadensis | Hydrocharitaceae | none |
Elodea nuttallii | Hydrocharitaceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Epilobium ciliatum | Onagraceae | none |
Erechtites hieraciifolius | Asteraceae | none |
Erigeron annuus | Asteraceae | none |
Fallopia ×bohemica | Polygonaceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Fallopia japonica | Polygonaceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Fallopia sachalinensis | Polygonaceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Festuca trachyphylla | Poaceae | none |
Galinsoga parviflora | Asteraceae | none |
Galinsoga quadriradiata | Asteraceae | none |
Geum macrophyllum | Rubiaceae | none |
Helianthus tuberosus | Asteraceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Heracleum mantegazzianum | Apiaceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Heracleum sosnowskyi | Apiaceae | A2 List |
Hippophae rhamnoides | Elaeagnaceae | none |
Impatiens glandulifera | Balsaminaceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Impatiens parviflora | Balsaminaceae | none |
Iva xanthiifolia | Asteraceae | none |
Lolium arundinaceum | Poaceae | none |
Lupinus polyphyllus | Fabaceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Oenothera biennis | Onagraceae | none |
Oenothera rubricaulis | Onagraceae | none |
Parthenocissus inserta | Vitaceae | none |
Petasites hybridus | Asteraceae | none |
Phragmites altissimus | Poaceae | none |
Populus alba | Salicaceae | none |
Prunus serotina | Rosaceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Quercus rubra | Fagaceae | none |
Robinia pseudoacacia | Fabaceae | none |
Rumex confertus | Polygonaceae | none |
Sambucus nigra | Adoxaceae | none |
Sambucus racemosa | Adoxaceae | none |
Solidago canadensis | Asteraceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Solidago gigantea | Asteraceae | Invasive Alien Plant List |
Sorbaria sorbifolia | Rosaceae | none |
Symphyotrichum ×versicolor | Asteraceae | none |
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii | Asteraceae | none |
Symphyotrichum salignum | Asteraceae | none |
Xanthium albinum | Asteraceae | none |
Zizania latifolia | Poaceae | none |
Sources
Dubovik DV, Sauchuk SS, Zavialove LV (2021) The current status of the plant invasions in Belarus. Environmental and Socio-economic studies 9 14-22. |