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Article

Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Vegetation in Recreational Urban Blue-Green Spaces—Some Recommendations for Greenery Shaping

1
Department of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Land Management and Environmental Protection, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Ul. Zelwerowicza 4, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
2
Institute of Physical Culture Studies, Medical College, University of Rzeszów, Ul. Cicha 2a, 35-326 Rzeszów, Poland
3
Department of Biology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszów, Ul. Zelwerowicza 4, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Forests 2021, 12(8), 1077; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12081077
Submission received: 30 June 2021 / Revised: 4 August 2021 / Accepted: 9 August 2021 / Published: 12 August 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Urban Forests)

Abstract

Urban water bodies are an important asset in terms of climate change. The accompanying vegetation is an integral part of the waterside space system and a source of ecosystem services and disservices. The composition of greenery in waterside spaces should therefore be preceded by detailed research. This research would be the basis for the development of recommendations for enhancement of the positive impact of vegetation on humans and minimisation of its negative effect. The aim of the study was to identify ecosystem services and disservices of vegetation in the four most important waterside recreation spaces in the city of Rzeszów, Poland, and to develop plant composition guidelines. A detailed inventory of vegetation and aerobiological monitoring of the presence of airborne allergenic pollen grains and fungal spores were carried out. Next, the ecosystem services and disservices of the vegetation were determined based on literature data and on our expert judgement. Additionally, a counting of the number of visitors to waterside areas was conducted. All these steps were used to develop recommendations for shaping the vegetation of study areas. The results of the investigations show that the boulevards along the artificial lake function completely differently than other investigated places as the area resembles an urban park, and the water is not the main attraction in this space. The vegetation of the boulevards and the nearby gravel-pit bathing area has mostly a spontaneous character and offers the widest range of ecosystem services and disservices. The management of the vegetation should focus on its health-enhancing values. The vegetation growing near the outdoor swimming pools has been designed by man. Nevertheless, it requires recomposing and is targeted specifically at the enhancement of the visual attractiveness. Additionally, there is a need for planting compact deciduous trees that will provide shade at the multi-media fountain.
Keywords: urban waterside space; blue-green infrastructure; urban vegetation; Rzeszów urban waterside space; blue-green infrastructure; urban vegetation; Rzeszów

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ćwik, A.; Wójcik, T.; Ziaja, M.; Wójcik, M.; Kluska, K.; Kasprzyk, I. Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Vegetation in Recreational Urban Blue-Green Spaces—Some Recommendations for Greenery Shaping. Forests 2021, 12, 1077. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12081077

AMA Style

Ćwik A, Wójcik T, Ziaja M, Wójcik M, Kluska K, Kasprzyk I. Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Vegetation in Recreational Urban Blue-Green Spaces—Some Recommendations for Greenery Shaping. Forests. 2021; 12(8):1077. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12081077

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ćwik, Agata, Tomasz Wójcik, Maria Ziaja, Magdalena Wójcik, Katarzyna Kluska, and Idalia Kasprzyk. 2021. "Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Vegetation in Recreational Urban Blue-Green Spaces—Some Recommendations for Greenery Shaping" Forests 12, no. 8: 1077. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12081077

APA Style

Ćwik, A., Wójcik, T., Ziaja, M., Wójcik, M., Kluska, K., & Kasprzyk, I. (2021). Ecosystem Services and Disservices of Vegetation in Recreational Urban Blue-Green Spaces—Some Recommendations for Greenery Shaping. Forests, 12(8), 1077. https://doi.org/10.3390/f12081077

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