Modern tendencies in the use of ornamental trees and shrubs as sound - barrier

Mariya Grozeva, Valeria Ivanova, Velyana Naidenova

Abstract: Transport networks are vital element in the nowadays European infrastructure. They connect people, boost economic activity and provide access to key services, but they also introduce barriers between natural areas as their use emits pollutants and introduces non-local species to ecosystems. Strong policy measures and a network of green spaces can help preserve and protect Europe’s natural wealth. Sofia city is connected to the rest of the country by an extensive transport network, comprising motorways, roads, rail tracks, cycle paths and flight routes. In addition to bringing goods and services to people, transport networks shape and impact the environment around them. When the city has reached a certain level of connectivity, additional transport infrastructure does not provide additional benefits. It can, however, generate substantial environmental impacts. Transport networks can also facilitate the spread of urban areas and other built-up areas into relatively sparsely populated parts of Sofia city, exerting pressure on natural habitats. For example, connecting remote Vitosha Mountain to the transport system of Sofia city could attract more tourists to the area, resulting, for example, in a boost to accommodation and food-catering services. However, increased economic activity also often comes with the negative impacts on human settlements - more wastewater, more solid waste etc. Transport also leads to releases of pollutants, which can spread beyond the reach of transport networks. The pollutants can contribute to background concentrations of particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide, affecting people, plants and animals. The present work offers examination and overview on the methods for identifying the noise pollution in city areas and the tendency to introduce ornamental trees and shrubs as green sound barriers.

Keywords: noise pollution; plant noise barriers; transport and ecosystems

Date published: 2019-12-06