INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN URBAN GREEN SPACES: A CASE STUDY OF BĂLȚI, CHIȘINĂU, AND CAHUL, REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Corina CERTAN,Ala DONICA,Universitatea de Stat din Moldova

Abstract

Urban green spaces play an essential role in maintaining habitat connectivity and providing ecosystem services.However, they are subject to intense anthropogenic disturbances, which may create favorable conditions for the spre-ad of invasive alien species. Under the combined impact of environmental problems and accelerated urbanization,invasive species can gradually replace native vegetation, modifying local biodiversity and the functioning of urbanecosystems. The article inventoried and analyzed the invasive alien species spectrum of the green spaces from threeurban ecosystems, in the Republic of Moldova (Balti municipality, Chisinau municipality and Cahul city) throughfield monitoring (2025). Field investigations focused on “Victoria” Park (Bălți), “Alunelul” Park (Chișinău), and the“Grigore Vieru” Central Park (Cahul). The proportion of invasive species identified in the analyzed parks rangedbetween 12% and 16% of the total recorded species, with Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.being the most frequent. The results emphasize the need to integrate invasive species management into local policiesfor the administration of urban green spaces.Keywords: invasive alien species, green spaces, urban ecosystem, invasive plants, park, impact, biodiversity. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59295/sum1(191)2026_37