Priede, A. & Mežaka, A. 2016. Invasion of the alien moss Campylopus introflexus in cutaway peatlands. — Herzogia 29: 35–51.

Campylopus introflexus is an invasive alien moss in Europe and North America considered as a threat to biodiversity, especially in dune habitats. In this study, we found that C. introflexus is a common pioneer species in vacuumharvested peatlands in Latvia occurring on dry peat substrates and peat substrates with highly fluctuating water tables, but not on waterlogged peat surfaces. The spread of this species is limited by dense vegetation cover, shading and high water table, but it is tolerant of different peat substrate properties and a wide range of pH values. The invaded plant communities do not represent a species composition typical of natural bogs and fens. C. introflexus can be considered as a successful pioneer invader on cutaway peatlands with minor impacts on vegetation diversity or particular native species and cannot be considered as a threat to peatlands. In cutaway peatlands, the vegetation recovery toward formation of bog or fen communities is hindered by lowered water table, not by invasion of C. introflexus.