Suchocka, M.; Błaszczyk, M.; Juźwiak, A.; Duriasz, J.; Bohdan, A.; Stolarczyk, J. Transit versus Nature. Depreciation of Environmental Values of the Road Alleys. Case Study: Gamerki-Jonkowo, Poland. Sustainability2019, 11, 1816.
Suchocka, M.; Błaszczyk, M.; Juźwiak, A.; Duriasz, J.; Bohdan, A.; Stolarczyk, J. Transit versus Nature. Depreciation of Environmental Values of the Road Alleys. Case Study: Gamerki-Jonkowo, Poland. Sustainability 2019, 11, 1816.
Suchocka, M.; Błaszczyk, M.; Juźwiak, A.; Duriasz, J.; Bohdan, A.; Stolarczyk, J. Transit versus Nature. Depreciation of Environmental Values of the Road Alleys. Case Study: Gamerki-Jonkowo, Poland. Sustainability2019, 11, 1816.
Suchocka, M.; Błaszczyk, M.; Juźwiak, A.; Duriasz, J.; Bohdan, A.; Stolarczyk, J. Transit versus Nature. Depreciation of Environmental Values of the Road Alleys. Case Study: Gamerki-Jonkowo, Poland. Sustainability 2019, 11, 1816.
Abstract
Road alleys, especially on areas of Warmia (north-east Poland), are multifunctional features in open landscapes. They serve as ecological corridors connecting habitats and play an important role in sustaining ecological stability. However, multiple road authorities claim that tree-lined routes are a threat for traffic safety and therefore should be removed. The aspect of safety seems to be crucial to them, significantly overwhelming alley benefits. The vitality problems of the trees (which are mainly mature and aging) deliver arguments to cutting them down. The aim of this paper is examination of environmental and natural value of the road alleys (based on a 14 km long-distance of the Gamerki – Jonkowo road), and verification of the degree of hazard posed by trees designated for cutting because of safety reasons. The six-examination framework for the research was developed. Tree risk assessment and vitality evaluation, pulling tests, examination of protected beetle species - hermit beetle, the lichens species, and examination of bat fauna were performed. The results revealed no trees in the resignation phase and confirmed that the alley is a unique natural and landscape habitat with protected species of lichens, a few bats species and valuable insect species, among others hermit beetle (Osmoderma barnabita) existing there. The environmental value of the alley is, therefore, hard to overestimate and cannot be perceived only as a component of the road infrastructure. The maintenance of the trees seems to be essential when taking into account environmental stability of the region.
Keywords
road alleys; protection of road trees; tree cutting; roadside trees management
Subject
Engineering, Civil Engineering
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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