Design and Methodological Framework for the Evaluation of Herbaceous Plantings and Meadow Communities in Urban Environments

Changes in climatic conditions and the requirements for sustainable urban green space management are increasing the demand for ecologically stable, low-maintenance, and biodiversity-rich vegetation elements.
The aim of the presented research is to develop and test planting models of herbaceous plantings and meadow communities in urbanized environments, with a focus on self-regulatory processes and responses to various management interventions. The research has been underway since 2024 on the campus of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, covering an area of more than 15,000 m², where 18 types of meadow mixtures have been established across 25 spatial units. In the first phase of the research, detailed mapping of site conditions was carried out, followed by the design of planting methodologies and the setup of monitoring protocols. Data are being collected on plant parameters such as longevity, vitality, ground cover, stress resistance, and regeneration capacity. The influence of different mowing intensities, sowing densities, and the application of soil additives is also being monitored.
This paper presents the methodological framework of the research, the infrastructure used, and the experimental setup as a basis for future result-oriented publications and applied research in the fields of landscape architecture and urban green space design.