Case studies Poland
Allotment gardens in Warsaw and their influence on urban biodiversity
Studies on diversity of plant species and ecological awareness of the owners of allotment gardens in Skierniewice, Rawa Mazowiecka and Lowicz
Objectives and Goals:
The aim of the studies started in 2012 is to evaluate the influence of allotment gardens on the enrichment and preservation of biological diversity in Warsaw, and to study their role in improvement of life quality of the city inhabitants.
The aim of the studies started in 2013 is to analyse plant species diversity, and ecological awareness of the owners of allotment gardens of 3 towns: Skierniewice, Rawa Mazowiecka and ?owicz.
Research Questions:What is the influence of the allotment gardens on the biological diversity in Warsaw?What environmentally friendly activities are performed by the garden owners?How to evaluate the impact of allotment gardens on the improvement of life quality in urban areas?Results:First stage of the studies was carried out in 3 complexes of allotment gardens associated in ROD (Family Allotment Gardens). Thirty gardens from each complex were investigated. Species composition of cultivated plants, forms of plant cultivation (traditional, organic, biodynamic), methods of plant fertilization and protection, recycling of organic and non-organic materials in the garden, as well as care for the wild animals (birds, insects) were analyzed by means of the questionnaires during interviews with the garden owners. Special emphasize was put on the ecological activities of the gardeners and their knowledge on the sustainable, environmentally friendly gardening techniques. In the second stage of the project 3 complexes of allotment gardens located in another Warsaw district will be subjected to the studies started in 2013.
Second project will be started during the summer 2013 in three Polish towns. One complex of allotment gardens from each town will be studied by means of the questionnaires and interviews with the garden owners.
The role of allotment gardens in urban ecosystems: Poznan and Lodz case studies.
Poznan and Lodz are ones of the biggest towns in Poland with more than a century of tradition of allotment gardening. Both cities are characterized by different historical conditions of development and various present functions and represented different social structure. Each of them has over 90 allotment gardens colonies.
The main objectives of the on-going studies refer to subjects of Policy and Urban Development and Ecology Research Areas.
The research is focused on following questions:
Do the policies and tools of management (on national and local level) foster allotment gardens? Do the local planning policies take into account the importance of allotment gardens in the process of urban sustainable development?
Are allotment gardens just as important for all stakeholders?
What is the influence of allotment gardens on the urban green infrastructure in ecological aspect?
What were the changes in type of usage of allotment gardens (changes of use from occasionally to year-round living, changes in use of biologically active surface from food production to decorative plants)? What are the factors of these changes?
What kind of ecosystem services is provided by allotments gardens and how to evaluate them? An attempt of monetary valuation. What is the level of contamination of allotments soil? Which contaminants should be investigated with a view to cultivating vegetables and fruits?
First stage of undertaken research was focused on the basic characteristics of allotment gardens:
- analysis of their distribution in the city in relation to green infrastructure and morphological units;
- study of historical changes in size and spatial distribution;
- determination of the status of ownership.
In Poznan the preliminary survey with allotment gardens owners was conducted. The issues contained in the questionnaire were mainly related to garden way of use, changes in use, ecological behaviour etc. (comparative study with Salzburg). Also the role of AG for the temperature distribution in relation to other LULC types, including elements of green infrastructure, was investigated.
In Lodz the research of soil quality were started in 2012.
Soils of allotments were examined during autumn of 2012. 85 out of 103 of allotment objects were analyzed. Over 100 surface soil samples were taken. Most of the analyzed soils are characterized by large sorptive capacity (CEC) which can be very helpful in process of plant nutrition and represents the resistance to, mainly chemical, degradation. The vast majority of soil samples showed the large saturation of sorptive complex by bases (BS), it is essential for resistance to acidification which is the main reason of soils degradation in Poland. 15 soil samples from allotments located near main town roads and industrial areas were tested for heavy metals content (Cd, Cr and Cu). Analyses showed no contamination of soils with listed metals. All values were within acceptable standards for agricultural soils. The researchers plan to expand the scope of research on measurements Zn, Ni and Pb content.
Next steps:
We are going to analyse:
- legal issues and planning documents as a driving forces of spatial distribution and as a tools of management of allotment gardens (documents analysis and interviews with policy makers),
- changes in type of usage of allotment gardens (changes in use from food production to decorative plants, changes in use from occasional to year-round living),
- sanitation of allotment gardens (water, sewage and waste management),
- contamination of soils in Poznan,
- qualitative and quantitative changes of land use in closest neighbourhood of allotment gardens colonies,
- valuation of AG ecosystem services in qualitative and quantitative approach.