Are Trees Planted along the Roads Sustainable? A Large-Scale Study in the Czech Republic

Trees provide a wide variety of ecosystem services to society and form the character environment landscape. The analyses tree populations their resistance changing conditions related climate change typically focus on urban communities or forest trees. Similar studies non-forest trees in open landscape are largely missing; even evidence species abundance distribution is sporadic. article aims expand current by large-scale study roadside Czech Republic. Using an extensive dataset that covers 91.2% total population along roads nine NUTS3 regions, we assess state observed practices selecting genera for planting discuss implications sustainable planning management. Our survey documented 133,169 individuals belonging 116 40 genera. results show 75% plantings second-class motorways first-class represented seven main deciduous (Acer, Fraxinus, Tilia, Malus, Betula, Populus, Quercus), which similar across most regions. New have shifted only little from original distribution. Traditional becoming more popular choice among new plantings, effort not let invasive outgrow into mature stage apparent. Most newly planted relatively suitable emerging risks change. To achieve patterns composition future, especially susceptibility some commonly pests diseases (e.g., Fraxinus excelsior) unfavorable site typical stands (Tilia cordata) relevance managers. relative was proven be studied makes recommendations equally relevant managers country.