Investigation of the species composition of uncultivated herbs in lawn communities of planting sites in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region

The article contains information on the structure and species composition of lawns, which are an integral part of urban landscapes. It is noted that the floral composition of lawns determines not only its appearance, but also its stability in different environmental conditions. The condition of lawns is influenced, first of all, by the conditions in which they develop. Special attention is paid to the species composition of uncultivated herbaceous plant species, which are of interest from the point of view of their further use in the creation of so-called "alternative" lawns. The assessment and comparative analysis of the species composition of lawns using examples of urban and suburban green spaces was conducted; the analysis of herbaceous plants by belonging to ecological-coenotic groups was made; the potential of the species diversity of herbaceous plants in this region for use in the preparation of herbal mixtures was assessed. The assessment of the lawn condition was carried out according to the "Methodology for assessing the ecological condition of public green spaces in St. Petersburg." The herbaceous cover was examined at 18 green space sites in the Petrogradsky district of St. Petersburg and Vsevolozhsk, Leningrad region, under different conditions of insolation, moisture, acidity and soil compaction, and relief features. According to the results of the study, attention should be paid to the fact that two invasive species have been identified on the lawns of both the city and the region, the number of which must be controlled. The species diversity of lawns and uncultivated species in the central districts of St. Petersburg is significantly less than in Vsevolozhsk, which is absolutely expected. The general list of identified species of herbaceous plants is dominated by representatives of the ecological and cenotic group "weeds" (68 species), many of which are indicators of soil compaction and acidification. And in order to optimize the species composition of lawns, first of all, species related to meadow (27 species) and forest (6 species) cenoses are of interest. Such species can form the basis of herb stands that develop in special conditions where there is no need for regular lawn mowing or in difficult conditions of insufficient lighting or humidity.

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