Long-term observational study on White Hellebore (Veratrum album), a native invasive species in European mountain grasslands

background

White Hellebore (Veratrum album), a Liliaceae native to Eurasia, is typically found in natural grasslands above the tree line and in open woodlands, but has also recently invaded semi-natural grasslands below the tree line. Plants are normally avoided by large herbivores, as alkaloids are highly concentrated in all plant parts and browsing by domestic herbivores can lead to death of animals. Several sources suppose that the species has increased its abundance in the last years, but scientific evidence is scarce or lacking. We monitor the abundance of Veratrum album in three “sensible natural sites” (“espaces naturels sensible”, ENS) in the French alpine department of Isère: Col du Coq, La Molière, and Les Ecouges.

duration & founding

methods & results

At each site, a 50 x 50 m grid is set up where abundance of Veratrum album and all other plant species is monitored at the intersections of the grid in 2 x 2-m plots annually during 5 years.

publications & links