Alien species of vascular plants in the Rybinsk Reservoir (Upper Volga, Russia)

Abstract

The analysis of long-term observations of the flora composition in the Rybinsk Reservoir (Upper Volga, Russia) demonstrates that at present five alien species of vascular plants, Acorus calamus L., Bidens frondosa L., Elodea canadensis Michx., Phragmites altissimus (Benth.) Nabille, and Zizania latifolia (Griseb.) Stapf., exist in its area. The history of occurrence, features of distribution, habitat conditions in the reservoir, and some other aspects are considered for each species. All findings are currently concentrated near settlements or in the sites of their direct introduction. Special focus should be given to Bidens frondosa and Elodea canadensis, which originate from North America, as the most aggressive potentially invasive plants.