| Title: | Broad habitat tolerance of the alien Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Teschem. across urban vegetation communities in a Central European city |
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| Authors: | ID Šipek, Mirjana (Author)
ID Horvat, Eva (Author)
ID Šajna, Nina (Author) |
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| Files: |  RAZ_Sipek_Mirjana_2026.pdf (10,24 MB)
MD5: B4593BCC5E3097512B4D4D433AB354CC
 https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15192910
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Scientific work |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: | FNM - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
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| Abstract: | Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Teschem. is an invasive alien species increasingly recorded in urban environments; however, its habitat characteristics, ecological preferences, and associated vegetation communities remain insufficiently studied in Central Europe. This study investigated the distribution and habitats of D. indica in the urban area of Maribor, Slovenia, aiming to assess its ecological amplitude across urban vegetation. Field surveys identified 47 sites, of which 24 vegetation plots were analyzed to characterize associated plant communities, while environmental conditions were assessed at 18 plots. The species was recorded in forest understories, forest edges, parking lots, lawns, and ruderal sites and showed the highest affinity for semi-shaded habitats. Habitats differed significantly in light availability, soil nitrogen and copper content, while soil moisture, pH, and other analyzed soil chemical properties did not differ significantly but displayed substantial variation within individual habitat. Cluster analysis revealed four vegetation clusters associated with D. indica habitats, which partially corresponded to the habitat groups defined along the light gradient. Ordination analysis further supported a partial differentiation of vegetation assemblages associated with contrasting light conditions, although the environmental variables did not explain a significant proportion of variation in species composition. These results indicate that D. indica occurs across a broad ecological range and can persist within heterogeneous urban vegetation communities. Its ability to establish under contrasting environmental conditions, particularly in disturbed and semi-shaded habitats, may contribute to its continued spread within urban landscapes and facilitate potential expansion into adjacent natural habitats. |
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| Keywords: | invasive plant, urban flora, Potentilla indica, floristic homogenization, nutrients, micronutrients |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Article acceptance date: | 20.09.2026 |
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| Publication date: | 23.09.2026 |
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| Place of publishing: | Basel |
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| Publisher: | MDPI |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 17 str. |
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| Numbering: | Letn. 15, št. 19, št. članka 2910 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DKUM-100554  |
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| UDC: | 582.7:581.52 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2223-7747 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 292224259 |
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| DOI: | 10.3390/plants15192910 |
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| Publication date in DKUM: | 23.09.2026 |
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| Views: | 157 |
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| Downloads: | 0 |
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| Metadata: |    |
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| Categories: | Misc.
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