Short‐term effects of the control of the invasive plant Asclepias syriaca : secondary
invasion of other neophytes instead of the recovery of native species
Egészségbiztonság Nemzeti Laboratórium(RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00006) Támogató: NKFIH
(127996) Támogató: NKFI
This study aimed to assess the impact of the invasion of Asclepias syriaca,
a perennial non‐native herbaceous species, on basic soil attributes and vegetation
composition, and to study the effect of mechanical control, namely the cutting of
Asclepias, on target and other plant species.LocationSandy
region of Kiskunság National Park, Hungary, Central Europe.MethodsIn
ten old‐fields, four 4 m × 4 m plots were established (n
= 40), of which three were invaded by Asclepias, and one
was uninvaded. The invaded plots were treated as: (1) all Asclepias
shoots removed, (2) half of the Asclepias shoots removed,
or (3) untreated. The treatment was conducted twice a year in summer during the period
2019–2021. Before the first treatment, soil and vegetation were sampled. Afterwards,
vegetation monitoring was performed twice a year: the cover of each vascular plant
species and the number of Asclepias shoots were recorded
in each plot.ResultThere
were no differences in the studied soil attributes between the uninvaded and invaded
plots. However, there were differences in vegetation composition, namely, the cover
of sand grassland specialists was higher in uninvaded plots. Short‐term cutting negatively
affected Asclepias after two years. The cover of specialists
did not change in response to treatments, but the cover of other neophyte plant species
increased.ConclusionsBased
on our results, the invasion of Asclepias changes the vegetation
composition, but not the soil. Although short‐term mowing can reduce the cover of
Asclepias, but the grassland specialist plants do not regenerate;
instead, secondary invasion occurs. We conclude that more time or additional treatment
is required for native plant recovery.
