AltSU biologists have developed an assortment of tree crops for settlement landscaping in Altai Krai

3 June 2021 Department of Information and Media Communications
Methodological recommendations "Assortment of ornamental trees and shrubs for settlement landscaping of Altai Krai" were published in Barnaul. Scientists from the Institute of Biology and Biotechnology of Altai State University took an active part in it, working on the draft concept "Barnaul is a Green City" together with the administration of Barnaul.

The unique publication was prepared by the staff of Altai State University and the department of M.A. Lisavenko Scientific-Research Institute of Horticulture of Siberia Federal Altai Scientific Center for Agrobiotechnology with the support of the Altai Regional Legislative Assembly. Altai State University is represented by Director of the Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor M. Silantyeva and Head of the Department of Botany, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor T. Terekhina.

The book presents an assortment of 300 species and varieties of woody crops, including ligneous lianas, proposed for settlement landscaping in Altai Krai, taking into account the climatic features of natural zones and altitudinal belts in accordance with the research of scientists from the Institute of Higher Economic Policy SB RAS.

Methodical recommendations for settlement landscaping of Altai Krai are based on the results of 80 years of scientific and applied research on the creation and implementation of an assortment of ornamental plants, conducted by M.A. Lisavenko Scientific-Research Institute of Horticulture of Siberia, materials of the introduction work for 50 years of the Kulundinsky arboretum of the Federal Research Center of Agroecology, complex reclamation and protective afforestation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the results of monitoring on naturalization and assessment of the state of introduced plants carried out by botanists of Altai State University since 1974.

“Plants used in urban landscaping should meet a number of requirements. First of all, decorativeness and ecological resistance to various natural and climatic factors, unpretentiousness to habitat, resistance to pests and diseases, the ability to endure negative factors,” notes M. Silantieva.

So, for example, for Barnaul, which is part of the north-forest-steppe natural zone, such types of trees as Warty Birch, Downy Birch, Siberian Spruce, White Willow, Gmelin Larch, Common Pine, Balsam Poplar, Berlin Poplar, Bird cherry, and Siberian apple trees are recommended for landscaping. These types are the most resistant, suitable for the creation of parks, protective belts and greening of streets.

The creators of the assortment emphasize that the list also includes wild plants, drooping birch, Kuraiskaya willow, Common pine and Siberian pine, Siberian larch, Siberian rowan, etc. At the same time, scientists strongly do not recommend using narrow-leaved Lokh and Ash-leaved maple for landscaping settlements as they are types, currently causing biological pollution.

The book also provides detailed advice on soil preparation, planting timing and plant care.

As M. Silantyeva noted, the new edition will become an effective guide for the greening services of the municipalities of Altai Krai. The book complements the work of AltSU’s team of scientists on the draft concept "Barnaul is a Green City" in conjunction with the Administration of Barnaul.

It is worth noting that the concept of AltSU’s scientists provides for the improvement of the greening system to ensure environmental well-being and increase resident satisfaction with the urban space, taking into account economic and social factors. It is based on a global trend: bringing the urban environment closer to the natural environment through the use of the principles of greening natural ecosystems. It is this model of landscaping that is being introduced today in the megalopolises of Europe and the United States.

Based on the results of this work, scientists will assess the observance of landscaping standards in different parts of the city and will justify the creation of new green areas for the formation of the socio-ecological framework of the city.

The project must be completed by December 10, 2021.

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