Berberis vulgaris L. in the Voronezh Nature Reserve

The invasion of Berberis vulgaris L. into forest phytocenoses of the Voronezh Nature Reserve occurred as a result of the species cultivation at forest guard cordons and in tree nurseries of the protected area. The barberry naturalization in Pineta nemoralo-pratoherbosa was initiated by a fire in 1997. Currently, the species has become a structural component of the undergrowth in several forest areas. The state of the population indicates a high probability of an increase in the number and density of individuals in the near future, as well as further expansion of the species. In a number of reserves of the Russian Federation, the naturalization of alien plant species poses a real threat to biological diversity and natural changes. The effective functioning of Russian federal protected areas should include not only monitoring and study of biological invasions, but also practical measures to manage these processes (preventing and eliminating the consequences).