Methodological aspects of selecting woody species for green infrastructure plantings

DOI: 10.34736/FNC.2026.133.2.010.88-96 ___ ___  ___

Khuzhakhmetova Aliya Shamilievna, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, Leading Researcher, Federal Scientific Centre of Agroecology, Complex Melioration and Protective Afforestation of the Russian Academy of Sciences (400062, Volgograd, 97 Universitetsky Ave., Russian Federation), ORCID: 0000-0001-5127-8844.

e-mail: avfanc@yandex.ru

Sapronova Darya VladimirovnaCandidate of Agricultural Sciences, Senior Researcher, Federal Scientific Center of Agroecology, Complex Melioration and Protective Afforestation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 400062, Volgograd, 97 Universitetsky Ave., Russian Federation. ORCID: 0000-0002-3559-3745.

e-mail: sapronova.darya@mail.ru

Аннотация. The loss of taxonomic diversity in urban green spaces reduces the efficiency of ecosystem functions as well as the quality and comfort of the urban environment. The study identifies current research directions related to the development of optimal algorithms for clustering trees and shrubs according to their ornamental characteristics in order to enhance biodiversity in green infrastructure plantings. The aim of the study is to improve the methodology for selecting woody species for green infrastructure plantings. The methodology was developed using a representative sample consisting of a register of tree and shrub taxa evaluated according to nine ornamental indicators in the dendrological collections of the Federal Scientific Center of Agroecology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Volgograd Region). The development of the clustering solution included several stages: data preparation (unprocessed and processed datasets), selection of a distance measurement method, selection and implementation of a clustering algorithm, visualization and interpretation of results, and assessment of clustering quality using Statistica 12. The paper provides a comparative assessment of several algorithms used for ranking woody plants according to ornamental characteristics and evaluates clustering quality based on statistically significant differences between clusters. Among the tested distance calculation methods, Ward’s method is recommended. The characteristics and taxonomic structure of the cluster that best matches the study objectives (including the reference taxon) are described. The proposed clustering approach increases the adaptability of clusters to specified parameters such as project goals, design concept, planting type, and maintenance requirements, while also improving flexibility in species selection and justification of woody plant assortments.

Keywords. Cluster analysis; algorithm; selection; assortment; ornamental features; trees; shrubs; green spaces.

For citation. Khuzhakmetova A. Sh., Sapronova D. V. Methodological aspects of selecting woody species for green infrastructure plantings. Scientific Agronomy Journal. 2026;2(133):88-96. DOI: 10.34736/FNC.2026.133.2.010.88-96.

Funding. The work was supported by within the framework of the state assignment of the Federal Scientific Centre for Agroecology, Complex Reclamation and Protective Afforestation of the Russian Academy of Sciences: "Scientific foundations, principles, and methodology for modeling and forming systems of multifunctional dendrological clusters of anthropogenic ecosystems in the context of sustainable development for optimizing environmental management, combating drought, and desertification in Russia's sparsely forested regions" (№ FNFE-2025-0008), Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

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