У публікації висвітлено зв’язок розростання та ущільнення урбанізованих територій і погіршення їх екологічного стану, зародження і посилення небезпечних та кризових явищ внаслідок незбалансованого використання ресурсів довкілля, зокрема зелених насаджень міських систем і їх біопродукції. Проведений аналіз наслідків техногенного втручання у кругообіг речовин урбоекосистем шляхом традиційного поводження з опалим листям як з відходом. Визначені і наведені екологічні загрози довкіллю внаслідок існуючої системи утилізації опалого листя. В роботі підібрана і апробована методика польових досліджень і камеральної обробки результатів щодо оцінки об’ємів утворення опалого листя і, відповідно, обсягів біопродукції, що вимагає напрацювання науково-обґрунтованого підходу до її використання. Представлені первинні результати екологічного моніторингу системи поводження з опалим листям на урбанізованих територіях, визначені напрями подальших досліджень.
Development of urbanized territories, infrastructure, increasing of comfort level in population cause increasing of loading on components of environment that in turn leads to formation of some specific ecological problems of different scale and complexity, that consists in inconsistencies in interaction between natural and man-made components of urban ecosystems. One from such problem ‒ is handling with fallen leaves on city territory in autumn period. Improving of ecological situation and increasing of environmental safety of cities are based on increasing of green territory that in turn cause increasing of waste from green plantations. Aim of work is identification of environmental risks that occurs through realization of existed approaches to the process of fallen leaves handling within the urban areas. Methodology. For performing of researches, is necessary conduct reconnaissance and natural survey, and perform their cameral processing, that based on determination of dry weight of leaves from trees, with application of M. Babich calculation equations. Results. Field researches were performed within the urban area of Kamyanets-Podilsky (Khmelnytsky region). Biomass at three pilot sites was calculated. Its weight 4193 kg, 1250 kg and 5274 kg respectively. In its turn projected indicators of dry leaves on each 1 km of street are equal 30477 kg, 11278 kg and 23155 kg respectively. From calculations it is clear that is very large mass, that require quick, effective engineering and technical method of processing. Now, main method of dry leaves utilization in Kamyanets-Podilsky is collection and export on a landfill of solid domestic waste, it means that exist real dangerous, because during storing fallen leaves can stir with domestic wastes, and during decomposition process can excrete dangerous compounds. Originality and practical value. Performed researches could be used as model for performing of similar tasks within settlements of varying degrees of urbanization and the development of environmental measures. Conclusion. State of handling with fallen leaves within urban areas, in particular Kamyanets-Podilsky was determined. Results of research shows that state of handling with fallen leaves within urban areas, in particular Kamyanets-Podilsky are unsatisfactory and unacceptable in terms of the ecosystem approach. For mitigation of given problem we propose number of following researches: environmental impact assessment (remote) leaves burning, analysis of medical statistics materials, and determining of correlations concerning mortality or respiratory diseases, and habitats where fallen leaves was burnt; assessment of general expenditures on leaves cleaning up, and development schemes of refusal from collection of leaves in areas where it does not contain excessive amounts of pollutants, by preliminary conducted assessment of its ecological safety, as it will help preserve the soil cover, moisture, zoo-sector, diasporas, etc. development of leaves utilization methods (for example through using of leaves as raw material for the manufacture of anti-glaze fluids, adhesives, etc).
