One of the most valuable landscapes of the Krylatsky Hills Park are steppe meadows occupying the slopes of ravine-gully systems. In this work, we investigated the problem of the invasive spread of Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandshurica) in Krylatsky Hills Park, especially in areas of steppe meadows. Until the early 2000s, the species was not found in the park. In 2023, we discovered 125 specimens of Manchurian walnut in the park, measured their height and trunk diameter, and plotted the discovered specimens on a map. Most of the plant population is represented by plant undergrowth and young growth. Further intensification of invasion is possible due to the entry of plants into reproductive age, as well as warming and humidization of Moscow climate. Walnut may be one of the transforming species reducing the area of meadows. Among the positive phenomena associated with the spread of Manchurian walnut, the anti-erosion effect of afforestation of steep slopes of gully-beam systems can be considered.

Keywords: invasive species, Juglans mandshurica, Manchurian walnut, specially protected natural areas, steppe meadows, vegetation of Moscow