Introduced plant species in the urban environment of the temperate-continental climate zone under conditions of global warming

Abstract

Global climate change stimulates migration, which increases the number of introduced plant species, as well as those with a status of rarity, so the aim of the study was to identify highly promising plants of rare and decorative species in Ukraine to overcome the negative impact of the "urban heat island". We selected 40 species of plants native to temperate and continental climates for the study: 24 species are not commonly cultivated in the Polissya and Forest-Steppe regions of Ukraine and 16 species are widespread in this area. To select plants that are effective in reducing the negative effects of the urban heat island, we determined the relative decrease in ambient temperature near the crown of plants using an Elitech RC-4 thermometer and diagnosed the photosynthetic apparatus using a Floratest fluorometer. The analysis was based on the chlorophyll fluorescence induction curve. Among the rare species, the following species proved to be the best in terms of stress resistance, photosynthetic apparatus efficiency and temperature reduction near the crown: Acer mandshuricum, Aesculus pavia, Broussonetia papirifera, Catalpa bignonioides, Corylus colurna, Fagus orientalis, Fagus sylvatica, Prunus padus, Tetradium daniellii, the planting of which will reduce the negative effects of the "urban heat island". In addition, species that are not commonly cultivated in the continental climate zone have proven to be very promising for urban greening in this climate zone: Acer pseudoplatanus, Acer velutinum, Corylus maxima 'Atropurpurea', Fagus sylvatica 'Atropurpurea', Parrotia persica, Phelodendron amurense, Platanus × hispanica, Prunus dulcis, Pterocarya pterocarpa and Tilia platyphyllos. The use of rare species in urban landscaping will also help to preserve biodiversity according to the "Global Biodiversity Strategy".