Plants species for ecological landscaping in urban territory in Central Siberia

Abstract

Green spaces such as parks and street trees represent a key component of urban ecosystems. Planting trees and shrubs in cities provides a number of environmental, economic, social and health benefits and also preserves biodiversity in highly urbanized areas. The key problem of the ecological landscaping in Central Siberia is to select plants species resistant both to high level of pollutants and to large variations in temperature. Basing on the comparative study of growth characteristics and physiological state of plants in natural and urban ecosystems we recommend 31 plants species of 16 families for ecological landscaping. Recommended species for ecological landscaping in Central Siberia are Abies sibirica, Acer platanoide, Amorpha fruticosa, Berberis thunbergii, Berberis vulgaris, Cornus alba, Cotoneaster lucidus, Crataegus sanguine, Dasiphora spp., Forsythia spp., Juglans mandshurica, Juniperus Sabina, Larix sibirica, Philadelphus spp., Physocarpus opulifolius, Picea obovata, Picea pungens, Pinus sibirica, Pinus sylvestris, Ribes aureum, Rosa rugosa, Salix alba, Salix ledebouriana, Salix purpurea, Sorbaria sorbifolia, Sorbus aucuparia, Spiraea salicifolia, Syringa josikaea, Tamarix ramosissima, Tilia cordata, Viburnum opulus. Coniferous plants are presented with 7 species of 5 genera. Deciduous plants are presented with 24 species of 21 genera. The list of recommended plants species includes both trees and shrubs.