Modeling of Spatial Distribution of the Most Aggressive Alien Species of Woody Plants (Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud and Catalpa ovata G. Don) in the South of the Black Sea Coast of Krasnodar Krai

The spatial distribution of the most aggressive alien woody species (Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud, Catalpa ovata D. Don) on the southern Black Sea coast of Krasnodar krai was studied. It has been found that both species are confined to habitats with similar bioclimatic and physical and geographic environmental conditions. The places most suitable for the growth of the studied species are located mainly at elevations up to 550 m above sea level, with an average annual temperature exceeding 12°C and annual precipitation in the range of 1400–1800 mm. Component analysis of 29 bioclimatic and ecological and geographical variables in the locations of specimens of the analyzed species indicates a high influence of climatic variables on the spatial distribution of Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) and variables characterizing landscape features of the area on the spatial distribution of Catalpa ovata D. Don. In this case, Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) can occupy a wider range of habitats in terms of temperature regime compared to Catalpa ovata D. Don in conditions of the southern Black Sea coast of Krasnodar krai. It has been found that native woody plants Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn, Carpinus betulus L., Fagus orientalis Lipsky, and Fraxinus excelsior L., which compete with Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) and Catalpa ovata D., have greater ecological plasticity. Disturbance of the natural vegetation cover is a prerequisite for the penetration of Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) and Catalpa ovata D. Don into the forest ecosystems of the southern Black Sea coast of Krasnodar krai.