Employees of the Faculty of Biotechnology from the Environmental Analysis and Monitoring Team, Dr. Mateusz Rybak and MSc. Julia Brewka, have discovered new locations of Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) in Rzeszów and its surrounding areas.

This plant, considered one of the most invasive alien species in Europe, poses a serious threat both to biodiversity and to human health due to its highly allergenic pollen grains.

In Rzeszów, new sites were found mainly near popular bird feeding spots. The most likely source of the ragweed’s spread is contaminated birdseed mixtures containing its seeds.

Numerous ragweed sites were also found in other parts of the Subcarpathian region:

• in the vicinity of Przemyśl (in Żurawica, Bolestraszyce, and the village of Orły),
• in Domaradz,
• in Stalowa Wola.

These findings suggest that in these areas, the spread of the species is most likely linked to grain transport.

The results of the observations confirm that human activity – even on such a seemingly small scale – can significantly contribute to the spread of invasive species. This discovery also highlights the importance of monitoring urban flora and educating the public about responsible bird feeding.