Effects of goldenrod (Solidago gigantea Aiton and S. canadensis L.) invasion on the wet meadow vegetation composition of Somogyfajsz wood pasture

Abstract

In recent decades, restoring abandoned wood pastures are being rediscovered as an effective way to preserve biodiversity. Their restoration include the control of invasive plant species. In our study, we compared the vegetation composition of wet meadow patches uninvaded and invaded by giant and Canadian goldenrod in a wood pasture located in Somogyfajsz, Hungary. We sampled the vegetation of the wet meadows of the pasture in 16 pairs of 1 x 1 m invaded and uninvaded quadrats in June 2020. We studied the effect of goldenrod invasion on nature conservation value in terms of species diversity, origin of species, and Social Behaviour Types, and forage quality and quantity. The study revealed that goldenrod invasion had negative effects on species richness and community-level biomass in wet meadows, leading to a significant reduction in species diversity and total cover. Goldenrod invasion also impacted the richness and cover of both native and exotic species, with a decrease in richness but not cover, highlighting the competitive ability of goldenrods and their potential to alter vegetation composition.