Microclimatic influence and water state characteristics of introduced tree species in urban park stands

H. V. Strepetova; V. V. Katsevich; I. A. Ivanko; I. M. Loza; O. V. Zhukov; L. P. Holodok; K. K. Holoborodko

doi:10.15421/0225216

H. V. Strepetova Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University
V. V. Katsevich Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University
I. A. Ivanko Oles Honchar Dnipro National University
I. M. Loza Dnipro State Agrarian and Economic University
O. V. Zhukov Bogdan Khmelnitsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University
L. P. Holodok Oles Honchar Dnipro National University
K. K. Holoborodko Oles Honchar Dnipro National University

Keywords: introduced tree species, urban plantings, microclimate, relative water content, water deficit.

Abstract

The article presented the results of research on the potential ability of introduced tree species to develop microclimatic conditions of urban green spaces in the Steppe zone (using the example of park plantings in Dnipro city). The goal of the work was to determine the role of introduced tree species in optimizing the air and soil temperature and humidity, taking into account the species-specific features of leaf water state. The research was conducted in Taras Shevchenko Central Culture and Leisure Park and Ivan Starov Square during the growing season, 2023. Temperature and humidity measurements in atmospheric air and soil, and measurements of leaf physiological traits were taken using modern devices and classical tec h niques. The objects of research were 12 introduced tree species aged 40–50 years: Acer negundo L., Acer saccharum Ma r shall, Aesculus hippocastanum L., Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, Celtis occidentalis L., Fraxinus pennsylvanica Ma r shall, Gleditsia triacanthos L., Gymnocladus dioica (L.) K. Koch, Robinia pseudoacacia L., Ulmus pumila L., Quercus rubra L., Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott. The research outputs showed that during daylight hours air temperature decreased by an average of 1–2 °C, and relative humidity increased by 3–5% beneath the tree crowns compared to open sites. The soil temperature within the crown projection area was 2–4 °C lower, while the humidity almost doubled. Indicators of the leaf water state (Relative Water Content and Water Deficit) revealed significant interspecific differences. So, S. japonicum , and A. altissima were characterized by a high relative water content, whereas A. hippocastanum and Q. rubra showed lower values and a greater lack of moisture. The outputs of cluster analysis allowed the groups of tree species to be distinguished based on their sustainability and phytoclimatic effects. This indicates the feasibility of combined use of diffe r ent tree species in formation of urban plantings having significant regulatory functions.

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