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ANALYSIS OF VITALITY AND DENDROMETRICAL INDICES OF INTRODUCED WOODY PLANT SPECIES IN ARBORETUM LACUPITE IN LATVIA

Evelina Erzama, Aigars Indriksons

Abstract

By studying the dendrometrical indices and vitality of introduced woody plants grown in an arboretum, it is possible to conclude about the success of their adaptation in country's climatic conditions. Growth indicators of introduced woody plants growing in Latvian arboretums can be used to study the introduction and adaptation of woody plants, in accordance with the influence of climatic conditions. The aim of the work was to describe the taxonomic composition and quality of the trees of the Arboretum Lacupite. The Arboretum established in 1959 is a protected nature area and popular recreation area nowadays. The average values of dendrometrical indices by species, genus, family are calculated. The results were obtained by determining the species, height, diameter, degree of damage and type of damage of each individual woody plant in Arboretum. During the inventory performed in 2019, 742 woody plants area measured, of which 291 are coniferous trees, 159 deciduous trees and 292 coniferous and deciduous shrub species. A total of 168 tree taxa are listed in the inventory. The largest number of specimens in the Arboretum has the Japanese larch Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carriere - 61 pcs. But 77 taxa are represented by 1 specimen. Especial dendrological values are Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica Don.), Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.), black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), American tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), Chinese magnolia-vine (Schisandra chinensis Baill.), Manchurian striped maple (Acer tegmentosum Maxim.), staghorn sumac (Rhus thypina L.), rusty-leaved alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum L.), pontic rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum L.) and Siberian carpet cypress (Microbiota decussata Kom.). Dimensionally, the largest taxa specimens are the Manchurian alder (Alnus hirsuta (Spach) Turcz. ex Rupr.) with the height of 21,1 m and the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco) - diameter 45.6 cm. The incidence of damage to measured tree plants is 81%, but the intensity of damage is 24%. The most common causes of tree damages and faults in Arboretum Lacupite are competition from other trees and the activity of beavers living in the adjacent river.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2020v/1.3/s03.37

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