This research aims at finding the potential plant successions in riparian vegetation along gravel-bed streams of Lombardy (Northern Italy), investigating the influence of exotic species and proposing a more sustainable and efficient management planning for habitats conservation. To characterise the riparian vegetation, 65 phytosociological relevés were carried out along four rivers in Lombardy (Pioverna, Staffora, Ogliolo and Grigna). We evaluated a series of ecological indexes to assess the ecology of plant communities. A clustering analysis detected five different plant communities characterised by specific ecological traits. On the basis of such results, we discuss about a model of plant succession describing: (i) the typical native species succession representing the riverine forests of the study areas; (ii) a succession with moderate presence of exotic species; and (iii) a succession dominated by alien species with an unclear development. To preserve the natural heritage and landscape with a small rate of alien species, it is important to plan vegetation management actions, which limit the presence of new empty space. For containing the exotic species, mechanical and chemical measures could lead to good results, but they can be expensive and cause adverse effects. Otherwise, biological control, combined with other actions, has the potential to bring results with low environmental and economic impact. Ecological restoration measures using fast-growing and spreading native species could restrict alien plant colonisation. In this regard, a better comprehension of the invasive alien plants behaviour is necessary, especially in terms of their competition mechanisms. Nevertheless, the application of long-term vegetation management of river ecosystems is crucial for a continuous monitoring and for addressing the goals of the 2030 global agenda concerning biodiversity conservation.

这项研究旨在发现伦巴第（意大利北部）沿砾石床流的河岸植被中潜在的植物演替，调查外来物种的影响，并提出更可持续，更有效的栖息地保护管理计划。为了表征河岸植被，沿伦巴第的四条河流（Pioverna，Staffora，Ogliolo和Grigna）进行了65次植物社会学研究。我们评估了一系列生态指标来评估植物群落的生态。聚类分析发现了五个具有特定生态特征的不同植物群落。在这些结果的基础上，我们讨论一种植物演替模型，该模型描述：（i）代表研究区域河流森林的典型本地物种演替；（ii）适度存在外来物种的演替；（iii）外来物种占主导地位的演替，其发展尚不清楚。为了保护自然遗产和具有少量外来物种的景观，规划植被管理措施很重要，因为这限制了新的空地的出现。对于包含外来物种，机械和化学措施可能会导致良好的结果，但它们可能昂贵且会带来不利影响。否则，生物防治与其他行动相结合，有可能带来对环境和经济影响较小的结果。使用快速生长和扩散的本地物种进行的生态恢复措施可能会限制外来植物的定殖。在这方面，有必要更好地了解外来入侵植物的行为，特别是在竞争机制方面。然而，对河流生态系统进行长期植被管理对于持续监测和实现2030年有关生物多样性保护的全球议程的目标至关重要。