Ecological assessment of anthropogenic impact on the state of phytocenoses of Holosiiv park named after Maksym Rylskyi of the city of Kyiv

Abstract

Anthropogenic load on natural phytocenoses is manifested by disturbance of plant cover, synanthropization of the floristic composition of groups, destruction of plant distribution areas, reduction of biodiversity, and changes in plant growth and development conditions. The degree of anthropogenic load on natural phytocenoses is a global problem that requires detailed study and monitoring studies, especially in the conditions of urban ecosystems.

The natural conditions affecting the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maxim Rylskyi city of Kyiv according to physical and geographical, climatic, edaphic, and orographic features.

The influence of anthropogenic activity in the experimental plots was determined and the level of anthropogenic pressure on the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maxim Rylskyi city of Kyiv was carried out by analyzing available sources of industrial production, transport, etc. It has been established that Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylskyi is subjected to constant anthropogenic load, in particular, intensive recreational use, atmospheric air pollution has been established, which leads to the impoverishment of biodiversity in certain areas of the park.

The level of atmospheric air pollution in the territory adjacent to the experimental sites was assessed using computational and instrumental methods. It was established that the estimated CO level exceeds the standards by 8 times on Holosiivskyi Avenue and by more than 30 times at the intersection of Maksym Rylskyi Street and Holosiivskyi Avenue. The analysis of the state of the atmospheric air using instrumental research methods did not show an excess of the content of the main pollutants, however, according to the Air Quality Index, it is moderately polluted by the content of dust with a diameter of 2.5 microns.

The study of the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylsky of the city of Kyiv within the experimental plots was carried out by studying their floristic composition and evaluating the ecological groups of plants. Because it is the analysis of ecological groups of plants that makes it possible to assess the ecological conditions of plant groups, the place of growth, and phytocenotypes of plant species that are part of the phytocenosis, that is their role in the formation of the phytocenosis.

The ecological assessment of the state of phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylskyi of the city of Kyiv was carried out using the method of bioindication and lichen indication (lichen research). These methods make it possible to determine the level of anthropogenic load acting quickly and relatively easily on phytocenoses within the experimental plots. To determine the state of the trees in the experimental plots, the method of assessing the asymmetry of morphological structures was used (using the example of the hanging hornbeam Carpinus betulus L.).

A comparison of the floristic composition and the state of the phytocenoses showed that plot No. 1 has a depressed state, plants do not grow evenly, and drying of trees was observed. Plot No. 2 has the best condition, the plants of the plot are characterized by the best indicators of growth and development, the largest number of species, and the frequency of occurrence of species. Site No. 3 did not record significant degradation of the phytocenosis, but there is a certain mosaic of the phytocenosis, which may be due to atmospheric air pollution and significant recreational pressure, in particular, trampling.

Plot No. 2 and Plot No. 3 have the highest coefficient of species composition commonality. Common plant species in the respective areas are: Carpinus betulus L., Anemonoides ranunculoides L., Ficaria verna, Trifolium repens and Corydalis solida.