Speaker
Description
The riverine ecosystems of the Biała and Czarna Lada River valleys are undergoing progressive degradation, accompanied by the spread of invasive plant species. To identify the factors driving these processes, we combined predictive modelling with multivariate analyses. To estimate the odds of habitat invasion and degradation, we used logistic regression and classification trees, which revealed that the dominant predictors were soil nutrient content (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus), soil pH, and disturbed vegetation cover—characteristics often resulting from direct human activity. We used principal component analysis (PCA) to identify key ecological gradients, enabling clearer distinction between habitat conditions associated with invasion and degradation. Furthermore, using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, we revealed distinct changes in plant community composition between sites in the studied river valleys, reflecting differences in the degree of degradation and the intensity of alien species invasion.
Despite its pilot nature, the research conducted can provide a solid basis for further research and protective measures aimed at preserving biodiversity and reducing the negative effects of anthropogenic pressure.
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