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Kastler, Bernadette ; Samimi, Cyrus:
The Impact of "Robinia pseudoacacia" on Ground Vegetation and Plant Nutrient Matter in Donau-Auen National Park.
In:
5th Symposium for Research in Protected Areas: 10-12 June 2013, Mittersill ; conference volume. -
Mittersill
: Hohe Tauern National Park Salzburg
,
2013
. - S. 345-352
Volltext
Abstract
We investigated the influence of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) on ground vegetation and plant nutrient
matter in the riparian forest of Donau-Auen National Park.
As a legume, Robinia pseudoacacia is able to change soil nutrient availability by fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the soil (see HECKER 2000). It may be assumed, that a change in resource availability can affect the species composition of a habitat. Especially in environments with low content of soil nitrogen, such as dry grassland or dry forests, the presence of Robinia pseudoacacia can have a great influence on the plant community (see NENTWIG 2010). The aim of this thesis was to examine the relationship between Black Locust, soil nitrogen content and species composition of the habitat in Donau-Auen National Park and evaluate the hypotheses mentioned above. To assess the influence of the tree on the local ecosystem, 34 plots were selected within four areas near Stopfenreuth, Orth and Hainburg. In addition to vegetation surveys (spring and summer), soil samples were taken and analyzed for physical and chemical soil parameters. Data analysis was conducted with univariate and multivariate statistics.
The influence of Black Locust on the availability of nitrogen in the soil was proven to be significant. The NO3-content showed the highest response while the C/N-ratio appeared to remain unaffected by the presence of Robinia pseudoacacia. Nevertheless, the ground vegetation seemed to be influenced by the neophyte, whereby both the availability of nitrogen and the increased exposure to light due to reduced shading under Black Locust appears to be relevant. Near the tree some nitrophilous species gained abundance while some photosensitive species thinned out. This speciesshift can perhaps be assumed to affect the naturally high biodiversity of the habitat in Donau-Auen National Park.