Invasive vascular plant species in the Krakow-Czestochowa Uplands (southern Poland)

This study presents the results of mapping the distribution of vascular plants in the Krakow-Czestochowa Uplands, Poland, in 1999-2004. The aim was to identify the invasive vascular plant species in this area and determine their impact on the native flora. Based on four criteria (number of localities, average population size, number and character of habitats occupied) 53 alien species were classified as invasive, of which the most troublesome are Impatiens parviflora, Solidago canadensis, S. gigantea and Fallopia japonica. Localities of the invasive species are concentrated in the vicinity of built-up areas and locations visited by large numbers of tourists. Comparison of life form, life strategy, pollination and seed dispersal of invasive and native species in this area revealed that a high percentage of the invasive species are either phanerophytes, therophytes, autogamic, epizoochoric or anthropochoric, and have C or CR life strategies.