Alien flora of Mongolia: species richness, introduction dynamics and spatial patterns

We present the updated checklist of the alien flora of Mongolia, with information on species status, taxonomy, distribution, habitats, and economic use. In total, we recorded 154 taxa of alien plants, of which 33 are naturalized and 121 are casual. The alien flora belongs to 32 families, with Amaranthaceae, Fabaceae, and Brassicaceae containing most of the naturalized species and Asteraceae and Poaceae being the richest in casuals. Annuals (101 species) and perennials (27 species) are the most common life forms among the alien species of Mongolia, while woody and aquatic are only represented by two species and parasitic by one species. The majority of Mongolian alien plants originate from temperate Asia (81 species), Europe (72 species), and Africa (53 species). Alien species are restricted to a relatively narrow range of habitats, all heavily transformed by humans, with 42.2% of all species recorded in agricultural habitats. Regarding economic use, food plants dominate, while those used as fodder show the greatest naturalization success. The 29 most widespread naturalized alien species were recorded in all 22 provinces. Compared to other countries in temperate Asia, the Mongolian alien flora is relatively poor, which can be attributed to harsh climatic conditions and the country’s isolation in the past. Our study provides the first step toward a science-based approach to plant invasions by policymakers, authorities, and managers in Mongolia.