Evaluation of Non-Forest Woody Vegetation along Roads in the Rural Landscape
Gabriel Kuczman, Denis Bechera, Attila Tóth
Abstract
Linear tree formations in settlements represent an important biological element in the built-up area system. Along roads they are often the only elimination element of negative factors. They can significantly affect the climate-regulatory features of public space, safety and fluidity of road traffic in case of traffic guidance and visual support of important rural elements, as well as the elimination of surrounding construction elements. At present, many settlements are marked by the significant influence of the past, when woody plants were planted primarily to create phytomass without a more detailed respect to authenticity, regional specifics, originality and composition in the streets. Roads were often perceived as linear transit components of urbanism. Demonstrations of the resulting diversity from the point of view of the woody plants age stage, originality, as well as proportionalspatial properties of the species, result in different fulfilment of the functions of the accompanying green roads. The visual and functional quality of the trees and its composition are reflected in the resulting roadside vegetation structure, which was the subject of the evaluation, as well as their fulfilment against the defined basic functions of roadside vegetation in the rural area. For comparison, model areas in the same landscape type with a similar urban structure were selected.