Environmental risks of afforestation of agricultural land by alien trees: the invasive black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) as a model species

Abstract

Short-lived plantations for renewable bioenergy production are currently fashionable. Poplars and willows are usually used for this purpose, however other species including dangerous invasive (e.g. Robinia pseudoacacia or Ailantus altissima) are tested in the Czech Republic. Current legislation both within the EU and on the national level deals with the species selection suitable for short-lived plantations only marginally. Black locust as well as other invasive species with similar life strategy can not be recommended for afforestation of agricultural land in the Czech Republic