Greenway Planning in Ekaterinburg City: Unaccounted Phytopathological Problems of the Urban Strategy Project

The results of studying the long-term dynamics of the phytopathological state of alien woody and shrubby plants (AWSPs) in Ekaterinburg city (Russia, Ural) are presented for the first time. In view of the active implementation of numerous landscaping programs, including the concept of the Greenway planning of Ekaterinburg city, over the past 20 years, a large number of AWSP seedlings have arrived in the city, which contributes to the penetration of many previously unknown species of alien and pathogenic fungi into the Urals, the number of which increases exponentially. On alien woody substrates, many species of local saprobic fungi exhibit pathogenic properties, which also contribute to a sharp increase in the pathogenic activity of urban mycobiota. Several invasive fungal species cause mass diseases of woody plants and expand their trophic spectrum. Some invasive fungal species are expanding their invasive range into the natural forests. A list of AWSP species resistant to local and alien diseases, which are recommended for the greening of Ekaterinburg, is given. The applicability of the sentinel plantations technique for the early detection and localization of alien phytopathogens is discussed. Recommendations are given for the creation of a four-stage system of phytopathological monitoring of green urban spaces, which will contribute to the protection against penetration and the rapid detection of alien pathogenic fungi before diseases outbreaks.