Presence of invasive species and population dynamics of Impatiens glandulifera in protected wetlands

Plant diversity provides a set of ecosystem functions with high ecological, economic and social value. However, plant diversity is endangered worldwide and in Austria. 1,274 ferns and flowering plants are currently on the Austrian Red List of Threatened Species. In order to counteract further loss of native plant populations, it is necessary to protect and sustainably use habitats, for example by establishing protected areas. While the destruction and alteration of habitats caused by intensive land use or constructions can be regulated or prevented in protected areas, this is only possible symptomatically in the case of destruction and alteration caused by the spread of alien plant and/ or animal species (neophytes). From a nature conservation perspective, neophytes are particularly problematic in wetlands, such as riparian forests and riparian herbaceous plant communities. Some of the most competitive and most common neophytes in Austria, such as balsam, are found here. Existing biodiversity monitoring programs in Austria are incomplete with regard to the current status and trends of invasive species in protected areas. The aim of this project is to obtain an up-to-date nationwide data on the presence of invasive plant species and their population dynamics in protected wetlands, exemplarily for Impatiens glandulifera. This data will be used to develop models to simulate long-term trends. Data from existing monitoring programs will be used to identify the causes of different trends between the protected areas and supplemented by current records of the state of local floristic diversity. This project thus makes a long-term contribution to biodiversity in Austria's wetlands.