THE SCALE OF ECOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT IN URBAN AMATEUR GARDEN

Abstract

Though urban areas globally cover only about 3% of the earth’s land surface, the UAGs have received a little attention with regards to their ecological facilities. The main aim of this study remains to assess and compare the choice of ecological management options, which guidelines to improvement of environmental-friendly forms of gardening provided by two different UAGs, e.g. Užuovėja (U) and Nemunas (N)  in Kaunas distr., central Lithuania.

The gardeners were interviewed to identify their preference of different gardening means and reasons for their ecological choices using a questionnaire (n = 60) containing questions about gardening behaviour were surveyed.

The interviewed gardeners differ in their commitment and motivation, their agro-ecological practices, and their habits when growing fruits and vegetables. Ecological means, e.g. self-generated compost, turf and organic fertilizer were applied in 43.3-16.7; 16.7-6.7 and 43.3-16.7% in UAGs N and U, respectively. Only 3 or 10% (N) and 4 or 13.3% (U), of respondent regularly used chemical control means regularly. Unfortunately, only 11 or 36.7% (N) and 4 or 13.3% (U) of respondents regularly and sometimes used biological control means. While 7 or 23.3% (N) and 1 or 3.3% (U) of respondents apply biological control means on rare occasion. The large amount of gardeners’, i.e. 63% (N) and 80% (U) employs the natural water resources.
This study shows that choice of  the urban gardeners for the farming options proceeds the act of production through the conscious manipulation of natural resources, by the means of mobilizing practices (soil improvement, pest control means, watering), as well as supported by knowledge and sustainable viewpoint. Nonetheless, local ecosystem services will support gardener motivation, enhancing knowledge of sustainable gardening, authorizing the rational use of bio-control and soil improvement products, expresses an essential need for rational usage of water and other environmental resources.

Keywords: urban allotment gardens, ecology, sustainable options

Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.093