Woody Plants in Landscape Planning and Landscape Design

Viera Paganova and Zuzana Jurekova

Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Slovak Republic

1. Introduction

Vegetation is considered to be a significant element of the landscape. The greenery elements design landscape scenery and have productive and eco-stabilizing functions in the landscape area. Woody plants have a specific position within the greenery elements. They have bigger dimensions in comparison to the other plants, their organs usually have large surfaces and their biomass fills large parts of the overhead space and the soil. Trees and shrubs have great influence on the environment and living conditions of the other organisms. Short-term changes in ecosystems do not significantly impact their lifecycle and survival. Woody plants are long-lived organisms with different adaptability to changes of environmental conditions. The knowledge of the morphological characteristics, as well as biological and ecological qualities of woody plants is very important for their efficient utilization (Paganova, 2006; Paganova et al., 2010; Sjoman, 2012; Valladares et al., 2007).

In urban conditions woody plants have several environmental, economic and social benefits. Trees reduce heat, wind speed and provide shading, increasing the energy efficiency of buildings (Sand, 1994; Simpson, 1998; McPherson & Simpson, 2003). Urban greenery increases the sociological value of the environment, improving the aesthetic and hygienic properties of the particular place. It also increases positive feelings and moods, enjoyment of everyday life and stronger feelings of connection between people and the environment (Dwyer et al., 1992, 2003; Westphal 2003).

However, environmental conditions in urban areas are significantly different to natural habitats. Plants in urban areas are exposed to many negative factors like: water deficit, soil compaction, pollutants, artificial lighting, overheating of the root zone and mechanical injuries. According to Nilsson et al. (2000), street trees are exposed to multiple stresses and their average lifespan is short. Park trees are exposed to moderate stress and compared to street trees their lifespan is relatively high. In urban woodlands the level of stress depends more on climate, soil conditions, recreational patterns and biotic damages rather than on anthropogenic causes (S*bo et al., 2003).

Proper woody plant selection for specific conditions and establishment of the effective vegetation elements increases the functionality and stability of the landscape area (Paganova, 2004; Paganova, 2006). Like all living organisms, woody plants change in time

and space, and knowledge of the nature and dynamics of these changes is essential for their successful utilization in landscape planning.

Updated: October 10, 2015 — 4:33 pm