Estimated parameters of species participation in recreation (Voronezh, Russia)

Abstract

A series of sample plots have been laid to study the influence of recreational load in general and in grassy ground cover in Central Park of Culture and Leisure of Voronezh, Arboretum of Voronezh State University of Forestry and Technologies named after G F Morozov. We used qualitative (structural biodiversity) and quantitative (relative projective cover, abundance and constancy) estimation parameters as indicators of the species’ participation in the formation of plant associations using two urban ecosystems as an example. The aforementioned arboretum and park belong to the forest-park part of the city green zone. Tracing of flora synanthropization is very important here. Species abundance is generally higher in the arboretum (226 species), but grass cover is not numerous (31 species) due to timely economic activities. By quantitative parameters, on the contrary, grasses of broad-leaved forests prevail in the grassy cover of the Park: ashweed (Aegopodium podagraria L.) with projective cover (40-44.6%) and sedge (Carex pilosa Scop.) - 19.8% -29.6 % (1-2 stages of recreation, respectively). The class of abundance of these dominant species raises to 3 (1-2 for other species). The analysis of the constancy class, on the contrary, has not revealed clear species attachment to certain test plots.