For the study of the ionomic parameters of Juniperus communis needles, fourteen sites covering most of the territory of Lithuania and belonging to distinct habitats (coastal brown dunes covered with natural Scots pine forests (G), Juniperus communis scrubs (F), transition mires and quaking bogs (D), subcontinental moss Scots pine forests (G), and xero-thermophile fringes) were selected. Concentrations of macro-, micro-, and non-essential elements were analyzed in current-year needles, sampled in September. According to the concentrations of elements in J. communis needles, the differences between the most contrasting populations were as follows: up to 2-fold for Mg, N, K, Ca, and Zn; 2- to 7-fold for P, Na, Fe, Cu, Al, Cr, Ni, and Pb; and 26- to 31-fold for Mn and Cd. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Ni in needles of J. communis did not reach levels harmful for conifers. When compared to all other habitats (B, F, G, and E), the populations from transition mires and quaking bogs (D) had significantly lower concentrations of main nutritional elements N (12176 µg/g d. m.), P (1054 µg/g d. m.), and K (2916 µg/g d. m.). In Juniperus communis scrubs (F), a habitat protected by EUNIS, the concentration of K in the needles was highest, while Zn and Cu concentrations were the lowest. Principal component (PC) analyses using concentrations of 15 elements as variables for the discrimination of populations or habitats allowed authors to distinguish F and B habitats from the E habitat (PC1) and F and D habitats from the G habitat (PC2). Discriminating between populations, the most important variables were concentrations of P, N, Mg, Ca, Cu, and K. Discriminating between habitats, the important variables were concentrations of N and P.

Currently, there is an increasing focus on understanding the interactions between genetic features of the invader and environmental factors that ensure the success of invasion. The objective of our study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of Lithuanian populations of highly invasive small balsam (Impatiens parviflora) by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and to relate molecular data to biotope features defined by employing neighboring species of herbaceous plants. Low polymorphism of I. parviflora populations was observed at AFLP loci. Hierarchical analysis of molecular variance did not reveal differentiation of populations depending on biotope, geography, or road types. Bayesian analyses of AFLP data demonstrated many genetic clusters. Our results suggest multiple introductions of I. parviflora into Lithuania. The polymorphism of AFLP loci of populations significantly correlated with the total coverage by herbaceous plants in the sites. Defined by principal component analysis, the variability of study sites was most related to the coverage of herbaceous plants and least related to the molecular features of I. parviflora populations. The sites with I. parviflora were classified into agricultural scrubland, riparian forest, and urban forest biotopes. Of them, urban forest was distinguished by the highest coverage of I. parviflora and the lowest Ellenberg indicatory values for light, soil acidity, and richness in nutrients.

Fifteen riparian populations of Lithuanian Lythrum salicaria were assessed for leaf macronutrient, micronutrient and non-essential element concentrations and compared to the former obtained molecular data at amplified fragment length polymorphism (PLP.AFLP) loci. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to profile the contents of 12 elements in the leaves. The leaf nutrient concentrations were within normal ranges for growth and development and heavy metal concentrations did not reach toxic levels. The concentrations of macroelements such as nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium were in the range of 23,790–38,183; 7327–11,732; 7018–12,306; and 1377–3183 µg/g dry mass (d. m.), respectively; the concentrations of micronutrients such as sodium, iron, zinc and copper varied in the ranges of 536–6328; 24.7–167.1; 10.88–26.24; and 3.72–5.30 µg/g d. m., respectively, and the concentrations of non-essential elements such as lead, nickel, chromium, and cadmium were in the intervals of 0.136–0.940; 0.353–0.783; 0.207–0.467; and 0.012–0.028 µg/g d. m., respectively. When comparing the maximum and minimum values for site elements of L. salicaria, the concentration of N varied by 1.6, K—1.6, Ca—1.8, Mg—2.3, Na—6.1, Fe—6.8, Zn—2.4, Cu—1.5, Pb—6.9, Ni—2.2, Cr—2.2, and Cd—2.3 times. The coefficient of variation (CV) of element concentrations in sites was moderate to large: N—15.4%, K—14.3%, Ca—18.6%, Mg—24.8%, Na—50.7%, Fe—47.0%, Zn—24.9%, Cu—14.5%, Pb—57.1%, Ni—30.11%, Cr—26.0%, and Cd—38.6%. Lythrum salicaria populations growing near regulated riverbeds were characterized by significantly (p < 0.05) lower concentrations of Ca and Mg, and significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentrations of N, K, Fe, Na, Ni, Cr and Cd. The PLP.AFLP was negatively correlated with concentrations of N, Na, Fe, Ni, Cr, and Cd. The L. salicaria population with the lowest leaf N and Na concentration showed the highest genetic polymorphism (PLP.AFLP = 65.4%), while the least polymorphic population (PLP.AFLP = 35.0%) did not show extreme concentrations of either element. In conclusion, our elemental analysis of L. salicaria populations showed that ionomic parameters are related to genomic parameters, and some habitat differences are reflected in the ionomes of the populations.