Prunus serotina in Italy: a challenging candidate for the national list of priority invasive alien species

Abstract

In accordance with the European regulation on Invasive Alien Species (IAS), the black cherry tree (Prunus serotina Ehrh.) has recently been indicated as one of the 96 species proposed for the development of the national list of priority invasive alien species in Italy. The species, native to North America, is recognised as one of the most harmful IAS in Europe, given its high spread potential and the associated ecological and economic impacts reported in its alien range. Although P. serotina is recognised as a pest within the EU, plants are still available on the market, confirming intentional introduction as a current potential pathway for this species arrival into new areas. Since a comprehensive overview of the main features characterizing the invasive potential of this species is still lacking, we aim to underpin the high priority status of P. serotina as a IAS of main concern in Italy by outlining the main biological features, pathways and impacts of the black cherry in its secondary range. Management measures to be potentially included in specific action plans are also summarised.

Keywords:

• Black cherry
• ecosystem transformer
• EU regulation on IAS
• impacts
• invasive tree

Acknowledgements

This work was carried out under the framework of the project “Scientific support service for the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy” funded by the Ministry of the Environment, Land and Sea (MATTM) and coordinated by the Italian Botanical Society (SBI).

Authors’ contributions

TF and EB conceived the idea and contributed equally to the writing of the manuscript. All the authors contributed to the Research project and to the manuscript revision and gave final approval for publication. EB coordinated the study as project leader for the Alpine and Continental Region, with an assignment from the Italian Botanical Society (SBI).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.