A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Birch Populations in Residential Areas of St. Petersburg, Russia, from 2002 to 2022
Authors: Kozlov, Mikhail V.; Valdés-Correcher, Elena; Zverev, Vitali
Publisher: MDPI AG
Publishing place: BASEL
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Earth
Journal name in source: Earth
Journal acronym: EARTH-BASEL
Article number: 41
Volume: 6
Issue: 2
Number of pages: 12
eISSN: 2673-4834
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/earth6020041
Web address : https://doi.org/10.3390/earth6020041
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499178459
Trees play a vital role in urban landscapes, yet long-term dynamics in tree populations across different levels of urbanization remain poorly understood. We examined whether current spatial patterns of native tree populations predict future changes by monitoring two native birch species (Betula pendula and B. pubescens) in six residential areas of St. Petersburg, Russia. Birch density declined toward the city centre by 1.87 trees ha-1 km-1. From 2002 to 2022, birch populations in sparsely built-up areas (6-8 km from the centre) declined by 0.15 trees ha-1 year-1 due to ageing and urban development, while populations in densely built-up areas near the centre increased by 0.02 trees ha-1 year-1 due to limited tree cutting and greater planting efforts. These trends challenge the assumption that spatial patterns reliably predict temporal changes, emphasizing the complex interplay between ecological and societal factors in urban tree dynamics. We anticipate the continued decline in birch populations in sparsely built-up areas of St. Petersburg over the next 10-20 years until residents recognize the value of their declining greenery and either pressure the city government to intensify planting efforts or begin planting trees themselves.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |  |
Funding information in the publication:
This study was funded by the Research Council of Finland, grant numbers 122133 and 259854.
