Shuplat T. Vitality and the urban-ecological role of bushy juniper in improving the environmental conditions of the city of Lviv.

The dissertation is devoted to the study of systematic composition, the vitality level of bushy types and cultivars of the genus Juniperus L. in the urban conditions of the complex green zone of Lviv, and their use in improving the environment. The peculiarities are studied of the introduction-and-adaptive process of types and cultivars of bushy juniper, their biomorphological diversity, occurrence within the green zone of Lviv, ecological and biological features (seasonal rhythm of growth and development, the nature of pollination and seed production, determination of winter hardiness, drought resistance, heat resistance, dust-filtering properties, gas resistance, salt tolerance). The influence of urbogenic edaphic and climatic factors on their growth and development is analyzed. The ecotoxicological properties and level of concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides in the soil-plant system are characterized. The bioindicative properties of bushy juniper have been identified, which can serve the needs of environmental monitoring of the urban environment. Revealed is the phytomeliorative role of bushy juniper in improving the environment. Attention is focused on the clarification of gas-absorbing, oxygen-enriching, phytoncidal, fluorescent, noise-absorbing ability of bushy juniper. The phytomeliorative features of phytogenic field formation in the process of spatial growth and development of the bush are investigated. The possibilities of generative and vegetative propagation of bushy juniper are substantiated. Based on the system analysis of biomorphological and ornamental-aesthetic qualities of bushy juniper, models of compositional solutions of ornamental groups that are recommended for the needs of urban gardening have been developed and proposed.