Use of hyperacumulator plants in landscape design

The rapidly increasing global population and industrialization activities have led to the unsustainable consumption of natural resources and a rise in environmental damage. Particularly in developed and developing countries, reducing the negative impacts on non-renewable resources and preventing these effects before they occur have become some of the most critical research and policy issues in recent years. In this context, industrial zones, which are among the areas where environmental pollution is observed at its most severe levels, have gained special attention. Landscape applications play a significant role in sustainability and environmental protection. Among the innovative approaches developed in recent years to preserve natural resources, studies involving hyperaccumulator plants have attracted attention. Hyperaccumulator plants are known as plant species that are tolerant to heavy metal pollution and can accumulate these metals, thereby cleaning the environment. These plants offer a natural solution to mitigate environmental pollution caused by industrial zones and hold promise in the fight against environmental degradation. This study aims to examine the levels of Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), and Nickel (Ni) accumulated in three plant species (Ligustrum vulgare, Tilia tomentosa, Olea europaea) growing in soils exposed to heavy metal pollution in the Dilovası Industrial Zone of Kocaeli. Furthermore, by comparing these plants with samples of the same species from non-polluted control areas, the study observes how their growth is affected under current environmental conditions. Every phase of the research was supported by literature reviews and conducted through site selection, sample collection, identification, and laboratory analyses. As a result, the study evaluated how appropriate planting designs in areas with heavy metal pollution can reduce environmental pollution and assessed the ecological and economic benefits of such applications. This study aims to contribute to the development of new approaches in combating environmental pollution and to the preservation of ecosystems through sustainable landscape practices.