Alien Plant Species in Water Bodies and Watercourses of the Central Urals (within Sverdlovsk Region)

The article presents an overview of alien plant species found in water bodies and watercourses of the Central Urals (Sverdlovsk Region) for the first time. A total of 57 water bodies were examined: 42 water bodies (21 lakes, 21 artificial water bodies: ponds or reservoirs) and 15 watercourses (large, medium, and small rivers). As a result of the research, 28 species of alien plants were discovered in the flora of higher aquatic and coastal aquatic plants. Among them, there are 8 aquatic species and 20 coastal aquatic ones. The main vector of introduction of alien aquatic and coastal aquatic plants is shown. It is noted that thermophilic species of aquatic plants grow in cooling ponds of state district power plants and nuclear power plants under conditions of elevated water temperature. Information on the degree of naturalization of these species in the region is provided. The information can be used to monitor alien and especially invasive species in water bodies and watercourses of the Central Urals.