Diversity, Growth Parameters, and Ecosystem Services of Urban Trees Under Climate-Change Conditions: A Case Study of Topčider Park

Abstract

Urban tree planting is widely promoted for its benefits, but the long-term condition of trees is poorly documented, especially as changing and often incompatible conditions, intensified by climate change, affect their ability to deliver those benefits. A case study in Topčider Park (since 1836) was conducted during 2025 through the evaluation of diversity, growth parameters, ornamental value, vitality, and total fresh biomass and the identification of tree taxa with high carbon-sequestration potential in Belgrade (Serbia). The data were statistically processed using descriptive statistics, the Shannon diversity and the Pielou evenness index, PCA, Spearman rank and Chi-square tests. The results indicated a wide distribution and high homogeneity of taxa, greater stability within Angiospermae and moderate stability within Gymnospermae, with PCA showing no correlations between growth parameters, vitality, and ornamental value, confirming the close proximity of all taxa. At the taxon level, London plane, English oak, Ginkgo and Bald cypress stood out in growth parameters, while the assessment of total fresh biomass for all 51 taxa highlighted London plane, Scots pine and Bald cypress as particularly productive and adaptive. Carbon sequestration and CO2 reduction varied with total fresh biomass. The study offers evidence-based recommendations for selecting urban tree taxa to enhance ecosystem services and support climate-adaptation efforts in urban planning.