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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #233361
Title: Possibilities of GIS for Plant Introduction

Author
item AFONIN, ALEXANDR - ST PETERSBURG STATE UNIV
item Greene, Stephanie
item LEE, YURI - ST PETERSBURG STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Landscape Industry
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/25/2008
Publication Date: 9/25/2008
Citation: Afonin, A., Greene, S.L., Lee, Y. 2008. Possibilities of GIS for Plant Introduction. In Proceedings of Landscape Industry 2008. p. 66-69.

Interpretive Summary: The Ecological Atlas of Russia and Neighboring Countries (AgroAtlas) was used to predict where in Russia ornamental plants can be introduced. Acer negundo was used as an example and an ecological model was developed using the natural distribution of the species in North America and ecological variables. Using the AgroAtlas, an ecologically suitable area in Russia was calculated using the Atlas Map Calculator. Since Acer negundo was introduced in Russia more than hundred years ago we could compare the model distribution with the real distribution. Our model distribution correctly reflected the real distribution of this tree species.

Technical Abstract: The Ecological Atlas of Russia and Neighboring Countries was used to predict the distribution of introduced species. Acer negundo was used as an example and an ecological model was developed using the natural distribution of the species in North America and some American ecological variables: namely 3 main ecological factors: sum of the temperatures during summer, winter temperature of the coldest month and sum of annual precipitation. The ecological range of Acer negundo was calculated according to each factor. Using the AgroAtlas, an ecologically suitable area in Russia was calculated using the Atlas Map Calculator. Since Acer negundo was introduced in Russia more than hundred years ago we could compare the model distribution with the real distribution. Our model distribution correctly reflected the real distribution of this tree species.