Paulina ANASTASIU, Petronela CAMEN-COMĂNESCU, Alina-Georgiana CÎȘLARIU, Mioara DUMITRAȘCU, Daniela-Clara MIHAI, Eugenia NAGODĂ, Ioana-Minodora SÎRBU, Elena BOBE, Mihaela URZICEANU

FLORISTIC DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION VALUE OF BUCHAREST’S HISTORICAL PARKS

Introduction

Floristic diversity and conservation value of bucharest’s historical parks. Explore Bucharest's historical parks' floristic diversity, identifying 555 vascular plant taxa. Discover native species, invasive threats, and conservation strategies for these urban biodiversity hotspots.

Abstract

In the context in which the flora of Bucharest has been insufficiently studied in recent decades, and the current urban dynamics profoundly influence the vegetation, the present study contributes to updating the knowledge on urban plant diversity. The research is part of the project "Urban flora and its characteristics in Bucharest and surroundings" (ICUB – Grants for Young Researchers) carried out between 2023 and 2024 and targets five representative historical parks: Carol I, Cișmigiu, Kiseleff, King Michael I of Romania and Cotroceni. The floristic inventory, carried out between March and September 2023 (for Cotroceni in 2025), allowed the identification of 555 taxa of vascular plants, both spontaneous and cultivated. The proportion of autochtonous species (54%) slightly exceeds the allochthonous component, indicating the maintenance of a significant autochtonous flora within the city. Among the autochtonous species characteristic of the original forest areas are Corydalis solida, Allium ursinum, Alliaria petiolata, Ranunculus ficaria and Viola odorata, and among those with conservation value, Cephalanthera damasonium stands out, spontaneously present in King Michael I Park of Romania. In parallel, 46 invasive alien species were identified, including Ailanthus altissima, Acer negundo, Phytolacca americana, Reynoutria japonica, Reynoutria × bohemica and Ambrosia artemisiifolia. The results highlight the character of historical parks as urban biodiversity hotspots, which, in addition to their aesthetic and recreational role, can be capitalized on for environmental education and public awareness activities. The implementation of adaptive landscape management, oriented towards the conservation of autochtonous species and the control of invasive ones, is essential for maintaining the ecological balance and heritage value of these historic green spaces.

Review

This timely study significantly contributes to updating our understanding of urban floristic diversity within Bucharest, a context acknowledged as insufficiently studied in recent decades and profoundly influenced by ongoing urban dynamics. Focusing on five representative historical parks – Carol I, Cișmigiu, Kiseleff, King Michael I of Romania, and Cotroceni – the research undertakes a comprehensive floristic inventory to assess their ecological and conservation value. The project's scope, aiming to bridge a crucial knowledge gap, is commendable, setting a strong foundation for urban ecological research in the region. The research yielded impressive results, identifying a remarkable 555 taxa of vascular plants, encompassing both spontaneous and cultivated species. A key finding is the slight predominance of autochthonous species (54%), suggesting the maintenance of significant native flora within these urban green spaces. The authors effectively highlight the presence of species characteristic of original forest areas, such as *Corydalis solida* and *Allium ursinum*, and notably identify species with high conservation value, exemplified by the spontaneous occurrence of *Cephalanthera damasonium* in King Michael I Park. Simultaneously, the inventory diligently recorded 46 invasive alien species, including problematic ones like *Ailanthus altissima* and *Ambrosia artemisiifolia*, underscoring the dual challenge and importance of these urban habitats. The study strongly concludes that these historical parks function as vital urban biodiversity hotspots, extending beyond their aesthetic and recreational functions. The findings provide critical insights for capitalizing on these spaces for environmental education and public awareness. Crucially, the abstract advocates for adaptive landscape management, emphasizing the strategic conservation of autochthonous species and stringent control of invasive ones. This practical recommendation is essential for safeguarding the ecological balance and heritage value of these unique urban green infrastructures, offering a robust framework for future conservation efforts and sustainable urban planning in Bucharest.

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