Current state of decorative tree plants in ordinary street plantations of Kyiv

Abstract

An increase in the level of anthropogenic load in urban complexes leads to negative ecological changes in the environment. Urban plantations are able to somewhat smooth out these shortcomings by their influence on the microclimate within the local territory. According to statistical data, every year the indicator of the provision of green spaces for the residents of Kyiv decreases, which, in particular, is caused by the unsatisfactory condition of street plants. The main purpose of the publication is to highlight the results of the research on the assortment of woody plants, to assess their general condition on the busiest streets and avenues of Kyiv, and to provide recommendations for creating a perspective list of plants for urban street landscaping. The article analyzes the data of the inventory, which was conducted within ordinary street plantings in 2021. It was determined that the most common street plantings are Tilia cordata, Aesculus hippocastanum and Populus nigra. A comparative analysis of the main range of plants in the street plantings of Kyiv for 2009 and 2021 was conducted and it was established that the number of and Populus nigra decreased and the percentage of Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus excelsior increased. The assessment of the general state of plants indicates that the largest share of plants is in a satisfactory state – 50%. The best condition was noted in Robinia pseudoacacia, Acer platanoides and Tilia cordata. Attention is drawn to the general condition of woody plants in terms of the percentage of inactive photosynthetic surface and high resistance to urban conditions of Acer platanoides, Fraxinus excelsior and Robinia pseudoacacia is revealed. The analysis of experimental data provides grounds for determining the main and additional range of woody plant species that are recommended for use in street landscaping with further study of their stress resistance