Urban green forest tree diversity and its contribution to Timișoara’s landscape architecture

Abstract

Urban forests serve as representations of nature within city landscapes. Green Forest, spanning 5,198,412 square meters, has been incorporated into the Municipality of Timișoara’s public domain and designated as a forest park. This fact increased green space per capita and enriched biodiversity within Timișoara’s landscape architecture. This study explores the diversity of Green Forest trees and highlights their contribution to the urban landscape. Statistical methods, including comparative and linear relationships analyses, were employed to assess significant variations in the dendrometric parameters of the analyzed tree species: mean tree height, mean trunk diameter at breast height (DBH), tree age, and stand density. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were applied to uncover underlying patterns in the data. Using ArchiCAD and Lumion, high-quality 3D visual representations were developed for an ecological education area, an active recreation region, and a passive recreation area within Green Forest. Due to their morphological characteristics and phenotypic traits, the predominant tree species include Quercus robur, Quercus cerris, Quercus rubra, Fraxinus excelsior, Acer platanoides, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ulmus campestris, and Robinia pseudoacacia, which contribute to Timișoara’s urban aesthetic. Moreover, the results of the dendrometric analysis provide a foundation for further research in urban ecology. A key practical application of this study is landscape design renderings, which provide detailed and realistic visualizations to effectively communicate the design and functionality of Green Forest’s spaces. If implemented, these developments will encourage public engagement with nature, promoting mental and physical well-being within the community.