A new approach to the determination of urban floristic diversity; a case study of duzce city

Urban vegetative diversity not only maintains urban biodiversity but also contributes significantly to urban green infrastructure, an important urban concept in recent years. The main purpose of this study is to assess the biodiversity values and the urban green infrastructure possibilities through floristic, functional and spatial analyzes of woody plant diversity in the various urban open and green spaces of Düzce with different spatial characteristics such as park, square, pedestrian and vehicle roads, public and private gardens, cemetery and mosque gardens. Plant diversity assessed (alpha, beta diversity indices) by on-field floristic observations. The aesthetic and ecological functions of woody plant diversity addressed at the spatial level. Finally, on-site spatial assessments complemented by spatial analyzes on GIS (Geographic Information Systems). On-site studies include the identification and inventory of woody plant species and determination of their utilization areas, purposes, intensities and seasonal variation potentials in the study area. Office studies include the statistical and GIS analyzes, aesthetic potential determination as well as conceptual studies. All these data are used to evaluate the contributions of species to urban biodiversity and spatial characteristics in terms of landscape architecture. A total of 173 species were identified in the study area. The compositions have been evaluated in order to analyze possitive and negative ways both in functional and aesthetical use, what is more, some resolutions to negative ones have been recommended. According to what has been found, some plants having been used in refuges have esthetic values, whilw they are deficient to be used in functional refuge plantation. As a result, the study evaluated the woody plants used in open and green space of Düzce province in terms of aesthetic and floristic diversity are important for landscape architecture and concludes with application proposals for enhancing the green infrastructure of the city.