The Influence of Urban Conditions on the Phenology of Aesculus hippocastanum L. Using the Example of Wroclaw (Poland)

Abstract

The differences in plant phenology between rural and urban areas are the subject of research conducted all over the world. There are few studies aimed at assessing the impact of the urban heat island on plant vegetation only in urban areas. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of the distance from the city center and the form of land cover on the phenological development of trees using the example of the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.). The research area covered the entire city of Wrocław. In order to best capture the impact of the distance from the city center on the rate of changes of individual phenophases, 3 areas were designated—at a distance of 1 km, 2 km and 5 km. The study assessed the average duration of individual phenological phases along with the variability characteristics for leafing, flowering and fruiting in relation to the designated zones and classified forms of land cover based on mean value (x¯) and standard deviation (±SD) in individual weeks of the year. For the leafing and flowering phases, the frequency of the occurrence of phases in individual weeks of the year was analyzed in relation to the designated zones and classified land use methods. The results obtained on the basis of phenological observations carried out in 2017 in Wrocław confirmed the extension of the period of vegetation in the city center in relation to its peripheries. Trees growing in road lanes entered the vegetation period later and defoliated faster, which confirms the negative impact of street conditions on the development of trees in urban space. Thus, the growing season in road lanes is shorter and due to the 1-year observation period, it is justified to conduct further observations.

Trends in the Phenological Pattern of Hybrid Plane Trees (Platanus × acerifolia (Ait) (Wild)) in Sarajevo Ecological Conditions

“…Phenological research in urban areas is important because warmer conditions of these areas can help to assess the potential effects of climate change on plants, as stated by many authors (Luo et al 2007, Mimet et al 2009, Richardson et al 2013, Orzechowska-Szajda et al 2020. Wohlfahrt et al (2019) investigated changes in plant phenology caused by urbanization using publicly available pan-European data sets for 1981-2010 period.…”

“…The change of six different phenological phases in individual trees was monitored: 0 -dormant buds, 1 -beginning of bud opening, 2 -open buds, 3 -opening the leaves, 4 -young leaves, and 5 -fully developed leaves (Figure 1). After monitoring the phenophases, the authors collected data on meteorological elements for the springs of , 2014, and 2020. (Federalni hidrometeorološki zavod 2010, 2017, 2021.…”

“…Heat islands are created due to the lack of green areas and a higher presence of asphalt surfaces. Therefore, it is important to conduct phenological research in urban parts of cities because their warmer conditions can help to assess the potential effects of climate change on plants, as stated by many authors (Luo et al 2007, Mimet et al 2009, Richardson et al 2013, Orzechowska-Szajda et al 2020. There has been a small number of previous research on plane trees in Sarajevo.…”

Fenologia Reprodutiva De Três Espécies De Plantas Alimentícias Nativas Na Área Urbana De Foz Do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brasil

“…Em ambientes urbanos, diversas condições são modificadas e podem influenciar significativamente a fenologia das plantas, por exemplo, a iluminação artificial (FFRENCH-CONSTANT et al, 2016), o regime hidrológico ou o clima local (BUYANTUYEV; WU, 2012;JOCHNER et al, 2012). Infelizmente há ainda poucos estudos fenológicos em ambientes urbanos e os efeitos dessas modificações ambientais nos ciclos de vida das plantas (ORZECHOWSKA-SZAJDA et al, 2020). Essas análises são necessárias para apoiar políticas de gestão e ações de conservação da biodiversidade.…”