Alien plant species entering forests and mountains is not rareness anymore. This master thesis was conducted in občina Ilirska Bistrica. Thesis covered urban area, low land forests and forests of Snežnik. The main goal was to find out if alien species are present in the area of Snežnik. The survey was conducted along the main road to Sviščaki and Snežnik, with the start in Ilirska Bistrica. Elevation ranged from 47 m to 1459 m. Main focus was on alien plant species, but we also took note on native and native ruderal plant species. We concluded, that alien plant species already entered Snežnik area. Alien plants with the highest noted altitude were annual fleabane (Erigeron annuus) and late goldenrod (Solidago gigantea), on 1265 m altitude. The presence of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) was novelty for this area and for Slovenija as well. Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) as invasive alien species, was well represented in the area. Some of the alien plants reached altitudes that are less common for them (common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata) and late goldenrod (Solidago gigantea)). Traffic and turism are more powerful mean of dispersal for alien plants to enter highest altitudes than holiday camp Sviščaki.
|