February 28, 2025Open Access

Dendrological diversity and current state of green plantings of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University

Key Points

The study identifies 109 taxa of trees and shrubs within the university campus, with a majority of specimens in fair condition.
Trees account for 85.3% of 2,468 recorded specimens, while invasive species make up 75.2% of the taxa.
Taxa from the Rosaceae, Oleaceae, Salicaceae, and other families dominate the green spaces, reflecting diverse plant options.
Recommendations focus on enhancing biodiversity through native plant introduction and managing invasive species effectively.

Abstract

In the context of the ongoing reduction of natural forest areas, the rapid growth of urban population, and the intensifying impacts of global climate change, urban tree and shrub vegetation is increasingly regarded as a critical factor in shaping a favorable urban environment. The aim of this study was to inventory the dendroflora of the green spaces within the student campus of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, to determine its taxonomic diversity, age and health structure, and to outline priorities for further management. The assessment included all planted trees and shrubs, as well as spontaneous individuals aged ≥5 years; dense undergrowth in semi-natural communities was not considered. A total of 2,468 specimens were recorded, with trees accounting for 85.3%. The species pool consists of 109 taxa from 29 families, with Rosaceae, Oleaceae, Salicaceae, Sapindaceae, and Cupressaceae being the richest. In terms of individual counts, representatives of Sapindaceae, Fabaceae, and Rosaceae dominate. The alien fraction comprises 75.2% of the taxa (82 species), including 9 invasive and 8 potentially invasive species, which are actively spreading across various microhabitats of the campus. The age structure is dominated by plants aged 11–40 years (63.8%), while the proportion of young individuals aged ≤10 years is critically low (5.7%), and trees older than 50 years make up 17.7%. The overall sanitary condition is satisfactory, with 25% of specimens in good and 62% in fair condition. The data indicate significant potential for increasing biodiversity through the introduction of locally resilient taxa, gradual reconstruction of aging alleys, control of invasive species, and targeted enrichment with rare native plants. The proposed recommendations may serve as a foundation for the development of a full-fledged «green campus» and the implementation of climate adaptation strategies for the university in the steppe zone of Ukraine.

Read Full Paperexternally

AI से पूछें

Bookmark

View Full Paper