Examination of plants used in landscape applications in urban green areas in terms of pollination: Istanbul example

Today, almost half of the world's population lives in cities. Due to rapid population growth and unplanned construction, the amount of green space in cities is decreasing day by day. In addition, the shelter and nutrition needs of many living species, especially pollinators, are negatively affected. This situation has led to the idea of 'using plant species that provide pollen and nectar sources' in order to support pollinators, which are key species in ecosystems. This study, which was carried out in public green areas in the city of Istanbul, aimed to identify plant taxa in sample areas, to reveal the general characteristics of these taxa and the characteristics that affect pollination, and to determine the species diversity values of the areas. In this context, 5 sample area types were determined, including urban forest, park, square, coastline and coastal arrangement, and slope and refuge arrangement. 10 sample areas were selected from these and plant taxa belonging to the areas were determined. The distribution of plant taxa according to family, growth form, the state of being evergreen or deciduous, origin, flower color, flowering period, and pollen and nectar characteristics were evaluated. The species diversity, species richness, regularity, dominance and species similarity values of the taxa were calculated. 111 plant taxa belonging to 42 different families were identified in the sample areas. The families with the highest number of taxa are Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, Oleaceae and Caprifoliaceae, respectively. Of the identified taxa; 35.1% are trees, 3.6% are shrubs, 49.6% are shrubs, 9.9% are herbaceous and 1.8% are vines. 54.1% of the taxa are evergreen, 2.7% are semi-evergreen and 43.2% are deciduous. 30.6% of the taxa are natural and 69.4% are exotic. The flower colors seen most in the taxa are white, yellow and pink. In general, May is the month when the highest number of flowering taxa are seen. Of all taxa, 62.2% are pollen and nectar sources, 26.1% are only pollen sources, 4.5% are only nectar sources, 0.9% are non-pollen and nectar sources, 0.9% are toxic pollen and nectar sources, and 5.4% are taxa whose pollen and nectar source status is unknown. It is thought that the results of this study will be a source for pollinator-friendly habitats to be created in urban green areas and will contribute to the inventories of plant species that provide pollen and nectar sources.