A study on the management of non-native fern Pteris vittata communities established on urban masonry retaining walls

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the site condition and species composition of communities of Pteris vittata, a non-native species established in Osaka City, and discuss the management of this species. Results showed that the relative dominance ratio of non-native species tended to be higher in study plots (masonry walls with P. vittata) than control plots (masonry walls without P. vittata) (Wilcoxon test p = 0.009). However, the impact of immigration of this species is assumed to be limited because the dominant species in the control plots are also ruderals. I conclude that it is not necessary to remove P. vittata at the present moment. Notably, this species should be monitored as an environmental indicator of soil contamination also in urban areas in Japan.