Dendroflora in spatial planning compositions of children’s squares in Vyshhorod town

Abstract

Various groups of urban residents, including children, need to ensure a high-quality environment. One of the important features of urban plantings is their biodiversity, which is often low in the territories of children’s facilities. The purpose of the study is to identify spatial planning solutions and assess the species composition of tree plantations on the territory of six newly created children’s parks of the small historical city of Vyshhorod, Kyiv Oblast, which is located near the capital and is marked by positive demographic dynamics. The initial data were obtained as a result of the authors’ inventory survey of vegetation in these parks. The spatial planning composition of the dendroflora of these parks is also analysed using a visual method. Based on the obtained data, the level of biodiversity of tree stands in parks under study was estimated: the available number of taxa, Menhinick’s richness and diversity index, and the Berger-Parker abundance index were compared. On the territory of these parks, a total of 70 taxa of woody and shrubby plants were identified, among which introduced species predominate. More than half of the identified taxa are found only in one of the parks. The most common types represented on the territory of most children’s parks are the following: Spiraea vanhouttei, Juglans regia, Physocarpus opulifolius. Cluster analysis revealed groups of parks with a similar assortment of woody plants, and, accordingly, similar biodiversity indicators. The relationship between the assortment of plants and the general spatial solution of parks is traced. It was concluded that the selection of the species composition of woody plants for children’s parks should be more thorough, and it is also advisable not to exceed the recommended 10% share of one species in the composition of plantings. The use of “thorny” species that are not recommended for children’s territories is quite balanced and rational. The use of the findings in urban planning would help create a multifunctional eco-balanced children’s space and increase the sustainability of urban ecosystems