TREES AND SHRUBS GREENERY AREA CHANGES IN VILNIUS AND KAUNAS COUNTIES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to perform an analysis of the change in the trees and shrubs greenery area of Vilnius and Kaunas counties in 2002­–2023. To prepare this article, the following scientific methods were used: statistical data, analytical, comparative and graphical representation analysis. The method of analytical, logical analysis was used to determine the reasons for the increase in the area of tree and shrubs greenery in Vilnius and Kaunas counties. To achieve the aim, a comparative method was used, which determined the change of tree and shrubs greenery areas in Vilnius and Kaunas counties and its municipalities in 2002–2023. The data of the Land Fund of the Republic of Lithuania for 21 years were used for comparative investigation. In 2023, tree and shrub plantations in Vilnius county covered 45,082.20 ha, accounting for 4.63 percent of the county's area, this is more than Lithuanian average (3.20 percent). Meanwhile, tree and shrub plantations in Kaunas county covered 21,728.15 ha or 2.69 percent. From the analysis, it can be seen that in all municipalities of Vilnius county, tree and shrub plantations exceeds the Lithuanian average, while in Kaunas county, only four municipalities (Birstonas, Kaisiadorys, Kaunas, Prienai district) exceed the national average, in the rest of the municipalities trees and shrubs greenery do not reach 3.20 percent. From 2002 to 2023 the area of trees and shrubs greenery in Vilnius county increased by 23,384.21 ha or 107.77 percent. The area of greenery in Kaunas county increased by 10,444.56 ha or 92.56 percent during the period under review. In Vilnius and Kaunas counties and their municipalities, the area of trees and shrubs greenery increased due to the implemented projects and programs and the most important is the creation of legislative framework.