Evaluation of Woody Plants Located in Rural Public Park Areas
Denis Bechera, Gabriel Kuczman, Miroslav Čibik
Abstract
The composition of woody plants as well as their species composition in rural public settlements is diverse and depends on many factors; from the layout of the settlement structure, through cultural and historical ties, up to the landscape in which the settlement is located. The change of approach in the green public spaces creation during the past years has brought woody plants to solid position in case of rural environment shape; not only in the form of composition, but also in the valued fulfilment of many other important functions of rural public spaces. The current climate change, which trees must face also plays a crucial role. Visual value and their prosperity are a reference to the functioning and use of space in these areas. The aim of the paper is to evaluate woody plants species in selected model areas, which represent park groupings located within Slovak lowlands. The premises represent highly frequented places in the central spaces of the countryside with various connections to the surrounding functional areas. The evaluation of woody plants was carried out at the level of the fourteen analysed aspects and values against the selected monitored functions. Their performance was reflected in the three qualitative categories of performance in which they were evaluated. The paper outlines the quality of woody plants in the evaluated areas and contributes to their objectification in the assessment.