Title: Autobahnen als Wuchsorte und Ausbreitungswege von Ruderal- und Adventivpflanzen / von Dietmar Brandes
Abstract: The ruderal vegetation is characterised by dynamic changes in relation to habitats and species
combinations. Whereas classic habitats are reduced, corridors like river banks and traffic facilities are
becoming more and more important. Numerous by-chance-observations support the impression that
motorways are playing a big role as habitat as well as conduit for ruderal plants and alien species,
however intensive investigations are missing. Therefore the ruderal vegetation of 8 exemplary parts of
motorways in Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Saxony and Bavaria with a length of 775 km
was investigated. 145 ruderal and adventive plants have been identified clearly by mapping from the
moving car. There was no correlation between the number of species and the length of the section of
the motorway. Motorways in subcontinental rural landscapes show a relative high number of species
on a relative short distance where as parts in lower mountains show fewer species. Therophytes and
biennials are able to establish in the gaps of the vegetation. In a whole 73 therophytes and 43 biennials
have been registered on the borders of German motorways. Very large populations of ruderal plants
can establish at the sites of road works. The spreading of foreign plants along the motorways is
demonstrated for selected species, mechanism and reasons for the migration are discussed. The German
motor ways are habitat for ruderal plants which cannot be ignored. The spreading of some foreign
plants along the motorways happens very quickly whereas the diffusion into the bordering landscape
shows great delay.
Publication Year: 2009
Publication Date: 2009-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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