Ukrainian University of forestry and Wood technology

Parks of Lviv region

by  Nataliya  Imshenetska

 Phytocoenotic structure of park plantations of Lviv region and the guidelines of their improvement

Resolutions and recommendations

1.     Although phytocoenology has developed considerably as a part of ecological science, the theoretical concepts of park phytocoenology are at the primary stages of analysis of actual materials, in particular constitutional structure of park phytocoenoses.

2.     The park plantings are plant groups of mixed (artificial and natural) origin of considerable coenosis  forming.

3.     Floral composition of park phytocoenoses is formed at the expense of regenerative posterity of introducents and autochthonous kinds of forest and meadow flora. Availability of plant species, which are specific for forest and meadow autochthonous associations, in composition of park groups is an evidence of their close genetic relation to natural phytocoeneses.

4.     The park phytocoenoses, regardless of peculiarities of species structure of artificial wood stand, are characterised by their specific space commonality in forming of under-canopy hypersynusias. The powerful hypersynusias are more often formed by the following edificator species:  Geum urbanum, Sambucus nigra, Swida sanguinea, Impatiens parviflora, Urtica dioica, Aegopodium podagraria, Dactylis glomerata, Salvia glutinosa and some others. High edificator continuity in hypersynusias Geum urbanum, Sambucus nigra and powerful natural renewal of  Acer pseudoplatanus give basis to design of new associations (sub-associations) - Geum urbaneti-Aceretum pseudoplatanoidis ³ Sambuco nigrae-Aceretum pseudoplatanoidis.

5.     The selected associations and structural components of park phytocoenoses (hypersynusias) are widely spread, fairly stable in the course of time and are found in many parks of different age

6.     Within the range of investigated parks of different ages the prevailing tendencies of forming and long stable existence of phytocoenoses with domination of autochthonous wood, brush and grass species were determined:  Alnus glutinosa, Acer platanoides, Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies, Quercus robur, Tilia cordata, Sambucus nigra, Aegopodium podagraria, Geum urbanum, Dactylis glomerata, Impatiens parviflora, Urtica dioica. From introducents the dominant role have the following species:   Robinia pseudoacacia, Larix decidua, Quercus borealis, Aesculus hippocastanum

7.     The process of natural development of phytocoenoses depends mainly on ecological-coenotic  strategy of their components and specifics of their interactions. It is advisable to take into consideration these peculiarities upon designing and creation of park planting. Based on that models of development of park phytocoenoses in the course of time can be built.

8.     The brush species with insignificant dominant, tolerant, and exploratory properties are not advisable to plant together with plants which are strongly dominant and will occupy the most part of vital space in the nearest 5-10 years.           

9.     Dominant plants which are capable of forming the first storey of wood stand should be planted together with weaker dominants which are distinguished by high tolerance and are capable of forming the second storey of wood stand or brush canopy which is interesting in decorative respect. In the first to second decade of growth they form the general background of planting.

10.  The wood and brush plants with high exploratory properties (Acer negundo, Acer platanoides, Acer pseudoplatanus, Aesculus hippocastanum, Alnus glutinosa, Alnus incana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus borealis, Robinia pseudoacacia, Rosa canina,  etc) should be limited in use for forming of park plantings since they may pose a threat for new plantings of other plants.

11.  Wood and brush species which have average and weak dominant, tolerant, and exploratory properties  (Cotoneaster horizontalis, Forsythia intermedia, Forsythia suspensa, Juniperus communis, Juniperus sabina) should be used to form biogroups in open spaces placed at considerable distance from dominant plants. The periodic attendance (renewal, removal of dried up fronds ) should be planned for such groups.

12. The under-canopy hypersynusias of brush and grass plants with little aesthetic value– tolerant, as well as ruderal species are formed by naturally in park plantings. Their ecological gaps should be filled with coenopopulations of hemicryptophytic highly tolerant species, with more decorative and comfort properties. The promising species in this regard are high ferns, exotic kinds of shadow-resistant brush, soil-covering lianas and semi-brushes, grass ephemeris and decorative hemi-cryptophytic plants.  

13. Periodically  (once every 10-15 years)  it  is  advisable to perform pruning for forming of crowns in park      wood  stands. Beginning     from  50-year  old  age  the plantings should be pruned for crown- forming and   sanitary reasons, short-life  trees  should be removed.  Keeping of semi-closed wood stands in the  parks (closeness of planting – 0.5-0.6) will ensure forming of  specific insulation mode  of  semi-shading  which is   specially favorable for growth, development and spread of wide spectrum of autochthonous and stocking   species of plants, promoting support and spread of plant bio-variety of urbanized landscapes.  

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