Evolutionary and ecological outcomes of plant invasions: What are the potential consequences of post-invasion hybridization and polyploidization on the invasiveness of Solidago taxa in Europe? VEGA 2/0024/23 (2023-2026)
Annotation: Because of the complexity of biological invasions and post-invasion processes (such as mating interactions with native species), a better understanding of the underlying factors and their management is challenging. Members of the genus Solidago represent exceptionally successful invaders in Europe. In this project, we aim to determine the impact of hybridization and introgression in alien-hybrid-native S. canadensis–xniederederi–virgaurea populations and polyploidization in S. gigantea populations on the evolutionary and invasive potential of newly formed genotypes within the invaded range in Europe. We will take an integrative approach combining relative DNA content screening, assessment of population genetic structure by up-to-date molecular markers and measurements of reproductive potential and fitness parameters. We expect to bring new insights into the microevolutionary processes and their impact on further invasiveness and provide a baseline for nature conservation and management decisions.
PLANTin – Aliens among us: Spatio-temporal dynamics of plant invasions and their adverse impact on ecosystem (APVV-19-0134, 2020-2024)
Annotation: Plant invasions are an ongoing process threatening biodiversity at the species, habitat and landscape levels. The unique composition of alien flora at a regional level is mainly influenced by climate and cultural factors. The proposed project focuses on the environmental background of plant invasions in Slovakia (covers a substantial part of the Western Carpathians and an adjacent part of the Pannonia), which has been studied in this region only marginally so far. Dynamics of plant invasions will be studied in riparian vegetation along rivers that play a dominant role in the natural spreading of invasive plants. Using a time series of vegetation, seed bank, and soil properties, we will reveal spatio-temporal changes in riparian ecosystems, further linked with environmental and human factors. Based on field and revised herbarium data, we will reveal the ecological demands of model invasive plant groups (Fallopia japonica agg. and Solidago canadensis agg.) and estimate their potential distribution under current and future climate conditions. An integrative approach will be used to study the impact of plant invasions on semi-natural grasslands representing Slovakia’s most invaded non-anthropogenic habitats. We will compare multiple-taxa diversity (plants, bryophytes, fungi – by environmental DNA sequencing, molluscs and soil invertebrates) in non-invaded plots and in plots invaded by F. japonica agg. or S. canadensis agg. Further analyses of soil properties, seed bank, microbial activity, and fungal trophic structure will illuminate changes in belowground ecosystem processes at studied plots. We will also conduct a field experiment to study the impact of invasive plants on the decomposition of leaf litter. Such a study with exceptionally broad coverage of taxonomic and methodological approaches will provide a unique look at the plant invasion process and enable us to reveal, besides general trends, species or group-specific patterns.
Biodiversa+ – The European Biodiversity Partnership – Invasive Alien Species Subpilot (Horizon Europe 101052342, 2023-2024)
Annotation: The species monitoring sub-pilot consists of two modules. Module 1 focuses on plants, and Module 2 focuses on insects. The main focus is on invasive alien species, but additional emphasis is put on the wider group of non-native species whose impacts are not fully understood. This wider scope should prepare for the detection of future invasive alien species. Both modules employ image recognition using computer vision and deep learning models for cost-efficient and rapid detection of species of concern. These methods rely on training data of the species of concern to function effectively. Such data is available in GBIF and pilot projects from Denmark (plants and insects), France and Switzerland (plants). However, additional data needs to be collected as part of this pilot program to ensure accurate detection models for the future. For module 1, there is an effort to monitor both introduction and spread. In this way, the pilot program will be relevant in the context of introduction sites and for collecting additional training data to improve image recognition models. Project website: https://www.biodiversa.eu/biodiversity-monitoring/pilot/.
Ponds in urban environments – biodiversity, non-native biota and ecological quality (VEGA 2/0044/22, 2022-2025)
Annotation: The project focuses on researching benthic invertebrate communities in urban ponds (UP) that are not well-known. These ponds are essential as potential sources of biodiversity for native species and habitats for non-native and invasive species. The primary research objective is to identify biodiversity patterns in UP, with a focus on [1] comparing the significance of various types of UP for preserving native biodiversity, [2] examining the introduction and survival of non-native fauna in urban environments, and [3] identifying the sources and pathways of non-native species through population genetic analyses. For this research, we selected various urban ponds in ten Slovak cities, equally distributed along the Carpathian and Pannonian ecoregions. The results of this systematic study will significantly contribute to the current fragmented knowledge of the causal relationships between diversity, distribution, and the environmental status of these habitats.
Diversity of urban biota in the Carpathian-Pannonian region (VEGA 2/0108/21, 2021-2024)
Annotation: The project deals with the research of biodiversity in the urban environment in the territory of two important Central European bioregions – Pannonian and Carpathian. After multiple stratification, 30 Slovak towns were selected, representatively distributed on the basis of geographical location and demography. Within each town, the research will be carried out through two models, ecologically significantly linked groups (vascular plants and terrestrial snails) and on seven habitats typical of the urban environment. The aim of the submitted project is to find out: 1) How environmental and anthropogenic factors affect the diversity of native species in different types of urban environment and the penetration of non-native species into towns, 2) if there is a difference in the diversity structure of model groups of organisms in the Carpathian and Pannonian biogeographical regions, and 3) which of the urban habitats is the most important in terms of biodiversity and can potentially serve as an indicator habitat.