ANALYSIS OF FLORISTIC COVER AND SOIL OF THE MAPLE SPECIES PLOTS OF THE SKINDERISKIS DENDROPARK

Abstract

The study was carried out in the Skinderiškis Dendrological Park, where maple trees and soil from 11 sample sites and the floristic cover of the understorey were analysed. A literature review, a description of the understorey floristic cover of the maple species and their differences, an assessment and analysis of the soil pH and trace elements of the different maple species, a graphical representation of the results and a comparison of the results were carried out. The plots contained 53 different herbaceous plant species of which 1 is invasive (Heracleum sosnowskyi) and 1 alien (Bryonia sp.). Aegopodium podagraria was found in all plots, Urtica dioica in 5 plots. The highest number of different herbaceous plant species was observed in plots 20 and 18, with Acer mono and Acer mandshuricum. The densest vegetation is found in plot 20, which is covered with Acer mono.

The most acidic soil is found near the Acer tataricum and the most alkaline soil near the various maple trees. Total nitrogen is low or very low almost everywhere, mobile phosphorus is particularly high in parcel 11 (unnaturally), and mobile potassium, calcium and magnesium concentrations are too high in all parcels.

The highly interdependent soil elements are mobile magnesium and mobile calcium and the highest inverse correlation between nitrogen (ammonia) and pH.

The most potent soil chemistry modifiers are Acer mono, Acer pseudoplatanus and Acer ibericus.