Impact of urban green spaces, native tree species and seasons on soil pH in Kaunas, Lithuania

Abstract

Tree growth is sensitive to soil pH in urban areas and is often higher than in rural forest. However, there are knowledge gaps on how soil pH and alkalization are affected by urban environments and seasonal climate as well as the cascading effects on tree species. In order to fulfill these gaps, we analyzed the soil pHCaCl of four common native deciduous tree species: Acer platanoides, Tilia cordata, Quercus robur and Betula pendula in five different types of urban green spaces in Kaunas city municipality (Lithuania). The results show that soil pH in urban environments with Betula pendula sites were most alkaline (pH 7.04), whereas the soil pH of urban environments with Acer platanoides (pH 6.7) and Tilia cordata (pH 6.8) were most acidic. The soil pH of street tree greeneries was alkaline, while soils of peri-urban forests and large urban parks were acidic. Differently to natural conditions in peri urban forests the soil pH level drop down by 0.5 is observed during spring-autumn period in broad street greeneries with largest urban pressure. The variation in soil pH of the different types of green space and tree species shows that city planner should consider the unique conditions of all green space to maximize their potential for human well-being.

Biomonitoring of the Urban Environment of Kielce and Olsztyn (Poland) Based on Studies of Total and Bioavailable Lead Content in Soils and Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale agg.)

“…Low pH values were sporadically recorded, mainly in the soils of urban forests (type B). In cities, a clear shift in the reaction towards alkalisation is the result of alkaline dust precipitation, use of street snow removal agents, and high concentrations of calcium carbonate of anthropogenic origins [35]. A pH value is crucial for the bioavailability of heavy metals to plants, i.e., the increased pH values reduce the risk of entering the food chain by heavy metals [5].…”

Effects of Seasonality, Tree Species and Urban Green Space on Deciduous Leaf Litter Decomposition in Lithuania

“…Secondly, soil characteristics (such as soil communities, pH, and soil quality) in combination with litter quality may cause different trends in the leaf litter decomposition of different green spaces. Indeed, Straigytė et al [41] found a negative correlation between leaf litter decomposition in peri-urban forests and acidic soils with a low N:P ratio.…”

“…In addition, previous research has shown that different leaf litter decomposition rates are due to environmental variability. For instance, leaf litter decomposition can be more rapid in urban areas because of higher temperatures, greater nutrient availability (e.g., soil fertilization), and an increased abundance of earthworms, as well as different soil substrate and pH [40][41][42][43]. However, Rawlik et al [44] found that higher soil temperature may lead to reduced moisture and slower leaf litter decomposition.…”

The impact of forest plant communities on the content of heavy metals in soil profiles of the iron ore mining area, Kryvyi Rih District, Ukraine

“…Plant communities in natural and planted forests ("forest phytocenoses") play a key role in mitigating the negative effects of industrialization and climate change (Faucon et al 2016, Burns et al 2017, Straigyte et al 2019, Savosko et al 2020b. Besides, the forest communities provide important ecosystem functions and services such as regulating carbon, nutrient and water cycles, providing timber for industries, wildlife habitat and opportunities for recreation, etc.…”

“…On the one hand, forest soil properties have a significant impact on the richness and diversity of plants, the structure and dynamics of plant communities and the development of terrestrial flora (O'Neill et al 2005, Bardule et al 2017, Urbina et al 2017, Savosko et al 2018. On the other hand, plants as a primary factor in soil development, determine the most important soil properties that affect soil resistance to the degradation and pollution as well as sustainable development of soil (Straigyte et al 2019, Naik et al 2020, Pankiv et al 2020. Finally, the plant-soil interactions are a prominent component of the plant communities that responds to envi-ronmental impact.…”