Ecological Aspects of Soil Pollution and Ornamental Planting

The research conducted has determined that soil pollution has a significant negative impact on the development of ornamental trees and shrubs. Comparative analyses have shown that in areas with high anthropogenic impact, the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, and Ni) in the soil increases, while the amount of humus and essential nutrients decreases. These changes cause serious violations in the morphological and physiological indicators of plants. It has been established that in polluted soils, the growth of ornamental plants weakens, the development of the root system slows down, the leaf surface area decreases, signs of chlorosis and necrosis are observed, and photosynthetic activity and overall decorative quality decrease. In contrast, in relatively clean areas, plants demonstrate high vegetative development, normal leaf structure, a strong root system, and stable physiological activity. The results of the research show that the ecological state of the soil is one of the main factors determining the sustainability of urban green systems. The introduction of ornamental plant species that can accumulate heavy metals is considered promising in terms of phytoremediation and can contribute to the improvement of the ecological state of polluted urban areas. The results once again confirm the need to reduce soil pollution, conduct regular ecological monitoring, recultivate contaminated soils, and use pollution-resistant ornamental plant species in urban landscapes. These approaches can serve to increase the ecological stability of urban ecosystems, protect green spaces, and improve environmental quality.