La flora alóctona de la Comunidad Valenciana (España)

Abstract

This paper is a continuation of previous ones focused on the alien flora of autonomous regions of Spain. Now, we examine the alien flora of Comunidad Valenciana, an autonomous region of the eastern Spain. The source of data was mainly literature references, complemented with authors' experience. We can stablish, by the results obtained, a regional catalogue of 663 alien vascular plants species, of which 23% are invasive and 51 taxa are transformers. A number of them are potentially dangerous for natural ecosystems, mainly wetlands and maritime dunes. Invasibility of Comunidad Valenciana by alien plants is higher compared with the close regions due to its mild temperatures and high human presure. Good practice in relation to policies, legislation and management relating to invasive alien species is occuring in Comunidad Valenciana, but it remains scattered in other autonomous regions of Spain.