The influence of Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden invasion on functional traits of Corydalis nobilis (L.) Pers (by the example of the MBG RAS collection of living plants)

Abstract

In recent years, invasions of aggressive alien species, such as a giant hogweed, have attracted the attention of many botanists. However, the response of individual plants to the presence of invaders has not been studied for most representatives of the cultivated and natural floras. The article presents the results of studying functional traits of the spring ephemeroid Corydalis nobilis when Heracleum sosnowskyi is introduced into experimental plots. Sharing a common locality with H. sosnowskyi causes a decrease in organic reserves of C. nobilis phytomass and reduced contribution of its leaves to the total mass of the aboveground parts of plants. We have revealed changes in the pigment complex of C. nobilis leaves, manifested as an increased content of the total chlorophyll in the beginning of the growing season. In the studied habitats, C. nobilis exhibits a competitive-ruderal life strategy. In general, H. sosnowskyi has an extremely adverse effect on C. nobilis and vitality of the latter.

Keywords

• ephemeroids
• invasive species
• specific leaf surface
• chlorophyll
• biomass allocation