Stand Structure and State of Park Improvements in Urban-Type Settlement of Petropavlivka of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Abstract

We studied the range of woody and shrubby plants in the park of urban-type settlement Petropavlivka, their taxing characteristics, phytosanitary state, and compliance with the ecological conditions of the area. We carried out an assessment of the floral design and the level of improvement of the park and garden object. The territory of the park is divided into zones – children’s, memorial, walking, zone of quiet rest and cultural events. There are no small architectural forms, there is practically no park and garden equipment. The flower decoration of the park is unsatisfactory. Rectangular-shaped flower beds are located in the middle of the alleys. Apart from flowering plants, they include Juniperus sabina and Rose garden gr. Floribunda. The range of flowering plants is represented by 7 species of perennials from 7 genera, with Iris hybrida and Viola reichenbachiana dominating. 523 specimens of woody and shrubby plants grow in the park, which belong to 23 species from 11 families. The share of coniferous species is 7.27% in relation to all plants of the park. The species diversity index is 7.72, which characterizes it as an object with an insufficient level of dendro diversity for the park. The dominant tree species in plantations is Robinia pseudoacacia, there are somewhat less Acer platanoides trees, Ligustrum vulgare dominates among shrubs. Five families (Aceraceae, Salicaceae, Oleaceae, Pinaceae, and Rosaceae) are represented by three species each; the rest are represented by 1–2 species. The most numerous families in terms of the number of specimens are Oleaceae, Fabaceae and Aceraceae. 10 introduced species grow in the park, which is 40.15% in terms of the percentage of specimens. Trees with a height of 10.0 to 12.0 m predominate among plantings of the park. Their share is 27.08% of the number of all trees. The groups of 8.1–10.0 and 12.1–14.0 m are represented by a smaller number – 19.05% each. Most often there are trees with a trunk diameter of 28.1–34 cm, which is 27.38% of the total number of trees in the park. Robinia pseudoacacia dominates in this group. There are fewer woody plants in the groups of 22.1–28 and 34.1–40 m, which is 17.56 and 20.24% respectively. Only 3 specimens have a trunk diameter of more than 52 cm. Populus balsamifera. The vast majority of trees in the park of urban-type settlement Petropavlivka (69.8%) are classified as “healthy”, 21.4% are with signs of damage. 8.2% of trees are severely damaged. Only about half of the park’s woody plants are able to endure a long drought without damage, while others require additional watering during the dry period. 54.29% of plantations are not demanding for soil fertility, 39.57% are megatrophs.