Publications
Biological Flora of the British Isles
- Author(s)
- Franz Essl, Krisztina Biro, Dietmar Brandes, Olivier Broennimann, James M. Bullock, Daniel S. Chapman, Bruno Chauvel, Stefan Dullinger, Boris Fumanal, Antoine Guisan, Gerhard Karrer, Gabriella Kazinczi, Christoph Kueffer, Beryl Laitung, Claude Lavoie, Michael Leitner, Thomas Mang, Dietmar Moser, Heinz Mueller-Schaerer, Blaise Petitpierre, Robert Richter, Urs Schaffner, Matt Smith, Uwe Starfinger, Robert Vautard, Gero Vogl, Moritz von der Lippe, Swen Follak
- Abstract
This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. (Common ragweed) that are relevant to understanding its ecology. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, and history, conservation, impacts and management. Ambrosia artemisiifolia is a monoecious, wind-pollinated, annual herb native to North America whose height varies from 10 cm to 2.5 m, according to environmental conditions. It has erect, branched stems and pinnately lobed leaves. Spike-like racemes of male capitula composed of staminate (male) florets terminate the stems, while cyme-like clusters of pistillate (female) florets are arranged in groups in the axils of main and lateral stem leaves. Seeds require prolonged chilling to break dormancy. Following seedling emergence in spring, the rate of vegetative growth depends on temperature, but development occurs over a wide thermal range. In temperate European climates, male and female flowers are produced from summer to early autumn (July to October). Ambrosia artemisiifolia is sensitive to freezing. Late spring frosts kill seedlings and the first autumn frosts terminate the growing season. It has a preference for dry soils of intermediate to rich nutrient level. Ambrosia artemisiifolia was introduced into Europe with seed imports from North America in the 19th century. Since World War II, it has become widespread in temperate regions of Europe and is now abundant in open, disturbed habitats as a ruderal and agricultural weed. Recently, the North American ragweed leaf beetle (Ophraella communa) has been detected in southern Switzerland and northern Italy. This species appears to have the capacity to substantially reduce growth and seed production of A. artemisiifolia. In heavily infested regions of Europe, A. artemisiifolia causes substantial crop-yield losses and its copious, highly allergenic pollen creates considerable public health problems. There is a consensus among models that climate change will allow its northward and uphill spread in Europe. Ambrosia artemisiifolia is a monoecious, wind-pollinated, annual herb that was introduced into Europe with seed imports from North America in the 19th century and is now abundant as a ruderal and agricultural weed. In Europe, it can cause substantial crop-yield losses and its copious, highly allergenic pollen creates considerable public health problems. The consensus among models is that climate change will allow its northward and up-hill spread in Europe.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, Dynamics of Condensed Systems
- External organisation(s)
- Université de Lausanne, Natural Environment Research Council, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Technische Universität München, Université de Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, University of Pannonia, INRA - Institut national de la recherche agronomique, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand II, Kaposvár University, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, University of Burgundy, Université Laval, Université de Fribourg, CABI Switzerland, Adam Mickiewicz University, Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI), Technische Universität Berlin, AGES - Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit, Stellenbosch University, Technische Universität Carolo-Wilhelmina zu Braunschweig
- Journal
- Journal of Ecology
- Volume
- 103
- Pages
- 1069-1098
- No. of pages
- 30
- ISSN
- 0022-0477
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.12424
- Publication date
- 07-2015
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 105205 Climate change, 103015 Condensed matter, 106026 Ecosystem research, 106030 Plant ecology
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Plant Science, Ecology
- Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 13 - Climate Action, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/biological-flora-of-the-british-isles(ca7fcca3-4e25-4d31-b7d4-23b9792490c1).html