Species Diversity and Condition of the Dendroflora of the Donetsk City Park. P. 175-188

Complete text of the article:

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UDС

635.925(477.62)

DOI:

10.37482/0536-1036-2026-2-175-188

Abstract

The paper presents a survey of the green spaces in Shakhtostroiteley Park in the city of Donetsk. The aim of the work was to analyze the species composition, assess the vital condition, and identify the ornamental traits of trees and shrubs in the park. The survey was carried out between June and September 2024 using a visual route method with an inventory of trees and shrubs of each species. Vitality indices of woody plants were calculated according to the generally accepted methodology based on the number of individual trees. The study identified 32 species, 1 subspecies, 4 forms, and 1 variety of trees belonging to 23 genera and 13 families, as well as 5 species of shrubs from 5 genera and 4 families. A total of 1,432 trees and 1,502 shrubs grow in the park. Landscape compositions are represented by row and group plantings and hedges. The most common tree species is Aesculus hippocastanum L. (226 specimens); among shrubs, Philadelphus coronarius L. (30 specimens) is the most widespread. The vitality indices of Populus balsamifera L., Prunus padus L., Salix alba L., and a row planting of Populus bolleana Lauche are less than 0.49, which indicates a heavily damaged condition due to the age and limited longevity of these species under the regional conditions. Healthy trees predominate in group plantings of Quercus robur L., Tilia cordata Mill., Acer campestre L., and A. platanoides L. (native species), as well as Aesculus hippocastanum, Morus alba L., and Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (adventive fraction of the local flora). The condition of the shrubs is characterized as healthy or weakened. According to the assessment of decorative qualities, plants that remain ornamental throughout the entire growing season dominate (37 %). Significant damage to Aesculus hippocastanum caused by the horse-chestnut leaf miner (Cameraria ohridella) was recorded, leading to a loss of decorativeness in summer. Recommendations are given for improving the condition, conservation, and restoration of the park's plantings.

Authors

Lyudmila V. Kharkhota*, Candidate of Biology; ResearcherID: MFI-9710-2025,
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8399-1617
Sergej P. Zhukov, Candidate of Biology; ResearcherID: MGV-7000-2025,
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1653-6424
Olga A. Hrydko, Candidate of Biology, Assoc. Prof.; ResearcherID: MFI-9828-2025,
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3360-3588

Affiliation

Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution "Donetsk Botanical Garden", ul. Ilyicha, 110, Donetsk, Donetskaya Narodnaya Respublika, Russian Federation, 283023; ludmilaharhota@yandex.ru, ser64luk@yandex.ru, grydko@mail.ru

Keywords

park, green spaces, trees, shrubs, species composition, vital state, decorativeness, Donetsk, Shakhtostroiteley Park

For citation

Kharkhota L.V., Zhukov S.P., Hrydko O.А. Species Diversity and Condition of the Dendroflora of the Donetsk City Park. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2026, no. 2, pp. 175–188. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2026-2-175-188

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