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Faculty of Economics and Engineering Management, University Business Academy , Novi Sad , Serbia
Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
Institute for Plant Protection and Environment , Belgrade , Serbia
Scientific Institution, Institute of Chemistry, University of Belgrade , Belgrade , Serbia
Department for Medical and BusinessTechnological Studies, Academy of Professional Studies Šabac , Šabac , Serbia
Riparian and aquatic habitats being especially under threat, as these habitats represent important corridors for the spread of invasive speciesThe rapid spread of invasive alien plants worldwide has occurred as a consequence of intensive anthropogenic movement. Field research was conducted in riparian areas of 35 rivers in Serbia, following the River Habitat Survey (RHS) methodology. The presence of 26 alien invasive species in riparian zones was documented, with the most dominant invasive species being: Robinia pseudoacacia, Amorpha fruticosa and Xanthium strumarium. One of the aims in this study was also to determine the relevant HMS (Habitat Modification Score) and HQA (Habitat Quality Assessment Score) subscores (obtained as part of the RHS methodology) and to show their importance relative to the invasive species in riparian zones. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) analysis was used, and based on this analysis three HMS and HQA subscores (out of 18 in total) were determined to have a statistically significant effect: In-stream channel vegetation sub-score, Flow type sub-score and Land-use within 50m subscore, while the strongest positive correlation with the first axes was evident for the Flow type HQA sub-score.
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