The present study deals with ecological impact of giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) invasion in Slavkovský les area. Being one of the prominent invasive species with significant impact on human health it has been subjected to a wide research. In spite of that little is known about its impact on the invaded ecosystem. My research was therefore focused on analysis of the ecosystem impact, particulary 1) microclimatic measurements of temperature and soil moisture and their comparisons between invaded and noninvaded vegetation, 2) comparison of germination and survival of model plant species sowed into invaded and noninvaded plots and 3) study of the effect of H. mantegazzianum presence on model species seed production. Results have shown significant alteration of microclimate due to H. mantegazzianum invasion. Further research is needed to resolve what impact it may pose to species in invaded communities. The effect of Heracleum mantegazzianum presence on germination and survival of model species was not significant. Similarly, seed production of model plants was not significantly affected.

The main aim of this dissertation is to determine the global occurence of geografically non-indigenous plant species - Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonika), Sakhalin knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis) and Reynoutria x bohemika in selected locations of the South Bohemian region, for example in district of Český Krumlov and České Budějovice. The theoretical part is focused on the characteristics of selected localities where there is an occurrence of these plants and description of the above-mentioned invasive plant species and thier subsequent liquidation. The result of the dissertation (of the work) are the map´s outputs processed in the Geographic Information System, which record the global occurance of geografically non-indigenous plant species.

La berce du Caucase (Heracleum mantegazzianum) est une espèce envahissante provoquant des photodermatites lors d’un contact avec la sève. Son éradication laisse le sol à nu, facilitant ainsi sa réinfestation. L’objectif de mon projet est d’évaluer l’effet de l’ensemencement d’un couvert végétal pour empêcher l’établissement de la berce par phénomène de compétition. J’ai d’abord effectué une expérience en mésocosme utilisant cinq mélanges d’espèces herbacées afin de tester l’effet de la composition sur la germination, la croissance et la survie de la berce du Caucase. Trois mélanges, incluant ceux contenant Solidago canadensis, ont réduit le nombre de semences ayant germé. Tous les mélanges ont réduit la croissance et la survie des semis. Afin de déterminer si l’allélopathie pouvait être le mécanisme responsable de ce phénomène, j’ai testé l’effet de substances allélopathiques, extraites des feuilles et des racines du S. canadensis, sur la germination des semences de la berce. Bien qu’elle montre un effet allélopathique sur une espèce modèle (le radis), mon expérience n’a pas permis de détecter d’effet négatif sur la germination de la berce. Étant donné que celle-ci peut se faire dans l’obscurité, un mécanisme autre que la lumière ou l’allélopathie serait la cause de la réduction du taux de germination chez certains mélanges. Par contre, la réduction de la lumière par le couvert végétal serait la cause probable de la diminution de croissance et de la survie des semis. En définitive, un mélange composé majoritairement de graminées et produisant rapidement un couvert végétal dense aurait un meilleur potentiel pour la restauration suite à des travaux de lutte. / Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is an invasive species that causes human skin photodermatitis after contact with the sap. Control techniques of the plant often produced a soil devoid of vegetation cover, which facilitates reinvasion. The objective of my project was to evaluate the effect (competition) of plant seeding on the establishment of Giant Hogweed. First, I conducted a mesocosm experiment using five herbaceous plant mixtures in order to test the effect of composition and associated cover on germination, growth and survival of Giant Hogweed. Three mixtures, especially those with Solidago canadensis, reduced germination rate. Every mixture reduced growth and survival of Giant Hogweed seedlings. In order to identify the mechanism responsible for this phenomenon, I tested the effect of allelopathic substances, extracted from leaves and roots of S. canadensis, on germination of Giant Hogweed seeds. Although an allelopathic effect on a model species (radish) was detected, the substances did not impede Giant Hogweed germination. Considering germination occurs in darkness, a mechanism other than light or allelopathy would be responsible for the reduction of germination rate in certain plant mixtures. However, the reduction of light through plant cover would likely be the cause for the decrease of growth and survival of Giant Hogweed seedlings. A seed mixture mostly composed of grasses and rapidly producing a dense plant cover has a good potential for restoration following weeding.