Forest Urban Ecosystems of Donbass in a Changing Climate

Introduction. The combined impact of anthropogenic and climatic stressors has brought the urban forest ecosystems of Donbass to a critical state. The region’s intensive industrial development and global climate shifts lead to physiological disturbances in woody plants, manifesting as reduced viability and productivity. Donbass is characterised by high levels of atmospheric pollution, soil degradation, and climate change. These factors exacerbate the vulnerability of tree stands already weakened by anthropogenic pressure, leading to premature dieback and a decline in their environmental functions. The aim of the study is to assess the ecological and biological condition of woody plants in Donetsk under conditions of anthropogenic impact and a changing climate.

Materials and Methods. The research was carried out in the central part of Donetsk, focusing on woody plants growing along busy highways. The study objects included Tilia cordata Mill., Acer platanoides L., Acer pseudoplatanus L., Acer saccharinum L., Acer saccharum Marshall, Populus nigra L., Populus bolleana Lauche, Populus simonii Carrière, Robinia pseudoacacia L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall, Betula pendula Roth., Ulmus laevis Pall., Ulmus pumila L., Ulmus glabra Huds., Syringa vulgaris L., and Sorbus intermedia (Ehrh.) Pers. Viability was assessed using V. A. Alekseev’s scale, and forest inventory and biophysical studies were also conducted. The photosynthetic apparatus was examined with a Hexagon-imaging-PAM fluorimeter, with fluorescence parameters being recorded.

Research Results. The results demonstrate the critical condition of tree stands in Donetsk under the combined influence of anthropogenic and climatic stressors. Trunk damage, frost cracks, and impaired photosynthetic activity were identified — these indicators point to a reduction in the trees’ stability and viability. Of particular concern is the trend towards a significant proportion of the stands transitioning into a hazardous condition.

Discussion and Conclusion. The reduced stability and viability of the trees threaten the ecological and environmental-forming functions of urban forest ecosystems. The data obtained are of considerable theoretical and practical significance for understanding the mechanisms of adaptation and degradation of woody plants in an anthropogenically altered environment. The prospects for the research include developing recommendations for selecting resistant species and varieties, optimising maintenance regimes, and establishing new plantings capable of withstanding the combined impact of stress factors under a changing climate.

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