, for example in forests. We did that with black cherry and black locust. We can not get rid of them anymore, we can only limit their negative impact.
PAP: Which alien species of trees and shrubs are the most widespread in Poland?
MD: The black cherry and black locust. I am running a project financed by the National Science Centre concerning the impact of these species on the functioning of forest systems, including the circulation of carbon and nitrogen. I want to find out how a specific amount of invasive species will affect the mass of the accumulated carbon and whether it will be advantageous from the point of view of the atmospheric carbon dioxide capture balance. This effect may vary depending on the species and habitats. For example, in South America, invasive shore pine is a very widespread species that binds a lot of carbon in its biomass, because it grows very quickly. On the other hand, it consumes a lot of water and dries adjacent areas. In addition, the tree is filled with a high amount of essential oils and sap, which promotes fires that cause even greater carbon dioxide emissions.
PAP: Are invasive species used to fight climate change?
MD: Such attempts are made in some places in the world. I have seen research results that indicate a large potential for the absorption of carbon dioxide by invasive species. But the climate is not only carbon, it's also water. Nothing is free in nature: a fast growing tree carries a photosynthesis process faster and while dong that, it consumes water. This also causes environmental conflicts between people. In Spain, a very popular species is eucalyptus. Its wood can be used after 8-10 years of growth, but it consumes so much water that it ruins the surrounding olive and citrus plantations. In Chile, desperate farmers often intentionally burn the eucalyptus.
PAP: At what stage are we in Poland? Do we fight invasive species, or do we try to work on two fronts and check which of them could help fight the effects of climate change?
MD: In Poland, we mainly fight invasive species, because they negatively affect biodiversity. We have a ban on introducing alien species in forests - we should only plant native species. Some researchers had high hopes for the Douglas fir, but while it does grow quickly, it also needs a lot of water. Species distribution models that we have prepared for this species indicate that in a changing climate, among the 12 analysed tree species, the Douglas fir will be the most threatened and will lose its climate optimum in the majority of its current range in Europe. (PAP)
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