Problematic Alien Plant Species: Distribution of Garden Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) in Reykjavík Green Spaces

• Main Author: Megan Amelia Ólafsson 1994-
• Other Authors: Háskóli Íslands
• Format: Master Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: Umhverfis- og auðlindafræði; Reykjavík; Plöntuvistfræði; Draga; Svæði; Laugarnes; Ægisíða; Iceland
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/1946/48628

Urban centres are frequently the first point of entry for many alien plants. If found to be invasive these species can negatively impact urban biodiversity. Distribution data of potentially problematic alien species can help lessen these impacts by highlighting vulnerable areas and guiding city policy and management actions. This study aimed to assess the distribution of the alien plant garden lady’s mantle (GLM; Alchemilla mollis) within green spaces in Reykjavík, Iceland. Distribution surveys were conducted in the summer of 2023 in Elliðaárdalur, Hljómskálagarður, Laugarnes, Vatnsmýri, and Ægisíða. GLM was mapped using ArcGIS Collector and AllTrails mobile applications. Furthermore, the plant community was assessed in Elliðaárdalur using 1x1 m quadrat plots (n=26). Results indicate that GLM is spreading in Reykjavík’s green spaces and is escaping cultivation. So far, GLM appears to be spreading over short distances (<10m). The distribution of GLM was scattered with clusters of predominantly 2–4 plants. GLM seemed to favour open or disturbed grasslands and riverside locations. Presently in Elliðaárdalur, areas with GLM had significantly more native plants, while areas without GLM had significantly taller plants including the invasive plant Nootka lupin (Lupinus nootkatensis). Moving forward, the monitoring of GLM in additional sites in Reykjavík and adjacent rural areas is required to fully evaluate the potential impacts of GLM, including negative impacts as seen in other countries. This monitoring will help determine if GLM is spreading from urban to rural areas and whether it is becoming an invasive species requiring a concerted management strategy. Þéttbýliskjarnar eru oft fyrsti aðkomustaður framandi plantna. Ef um er að ræða ágengar tegundir geta þær, eftir atvikum, haft neikvæð áhrif á lífríkið. Dreifingargögn um framandi tegundir sem eru hugsanlega ágengar geta hjálpað til við að draga úr þessum áhrifum með því að upplýsa um viðkvæm svæði með leiðbeinandi stefnu og stjórnunaraðgerðum. Þessi rannsókn ...