Characterization of the Occurrence and Abundance of the Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) with Regard to Assessment of Its Expansion Potential in European Russia

Abstract

A field study of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) in European Russia provided information on the occurrence and abundance of the species and enabled a prediction of the possible boundaries of species naturalization. As a result, the understanding of the ecological limits of common ragweed distribution related to the limiting environmental factors was refined. Insufficient heat supply during the seed ripening period is the factor that determines the expansion of the species to the north in European Russia. The moisture deficit factor determines the eastern and southeastern boundaries of species expansion. Ecological maps based on MODIS data from the Terra satellite were used in the ecological analysis of geographical distribution of the common ragweed. As a result, the map of the distribution potential of the common ragweed in European Russia was refined and the possibility of species naturalization in the area was plotted on the map.