Staromerchytskyi Park (Kharkiv region): changes in planning, taxonomic composition, landscapes, and plantings for 1997–2018

The paper is dedicated to establishing the trend of changes in planning, taxonomic composition, landscapes, and plantings in the Staromerychytskyi Park-Monument of landscape gardening of national importance for a short period (about 20 years). The park is located in the village of Staryi Merchyk, Bohodukhiv district, Kharkiv region (Ukraine). The history of the creation of this park ensemble is considered. The changes in the planning, and the composition of the dendroflora, which occurred during the entire period of the park’s existence, were investigated. An inventory of the park dendroflora and an analysis of the landscapes and plantings, with an interval of 20 years, were conducted. This provides an opportunity for further study and development of recommendations for preserving plantations in ancient parks. According to the Florence Charter, historic parks must be maintained and restored to the condition of their heyday. It was found that due to insufficient maintenance, taxonomic, landscape, and phytocenotic degradation is observed in Staromerychytskyi Park.