Hydrological Fluctuations and Competition Drive Growth Dynamics of Invasive Robinia pseudoacaciaL. in Post‐Mining Novel Ecosystems

Environmental stress and competition can significantly influence tree growth. However, in so‐called novel ecosystems, that is, landscapes where biotic and/or abiotic characteristics were altered by humans, conditions for tree growth are untypical. This study aimed to fill the gap in knowledge about growth under anthropogenic conditions by examining whether daily industrial flooding, dryness, and competition impact the tree ring widths of Robinia pseudoacacia from 2005 to 2019. The research was conducted in a novel ecosystem example: an open‐cast mine. The study area included four habitats: dry tank, wet tank, Oak‐Black locust forest ( Quercus robur with R. pseudoacacia admixture), and Robinia forests ( Chelidonio‐Robinietum phytocoenosis). A total of 43 discs and 523 single observations of R. pseudoacacia tree rings were analyzed. Dendrochronological research revealed that since 2011, tree growth began to differentiate. On average, the widest tree rings were recorded in the wet tank, while the narrowest were in the Oak‐Black locust forest. The generalized linear mixed‐effect model showed a strong but varied relationship between tree ring width and years of growth. The highest positive trend was in the wet tank, followed by the dry tank, while both forest types showed a decreasing growth trend in later years. From 2013 to 2019, the highest median tree ring width was in wet tanks, followed by dry tanks, and the lowest in both forest types. The study demonstrated that R. pseudoacacia , as a pioneer tree, can adapt to extreme conditions in both dry and wet anthropogenic habitats, contributing to its invasiveness.