Perceptions and attitudes of KTU Law campus users towards woody plant taxons with edge fruit characteristics

Population growth and rapid urbanization in cities lead to a continuous decrease in the amount of green spaces. This decline negatively affects the value and sustainability of cities. As a result, ecological solutions have been developed to preserve natural resources and support natural processes. One of the most important solutions is the inclusion of plant species with renewable fruit characteristics in urban open green spaces such as residential gardens, parks, street landscapes, educational areas, hospital gardens, and urban forests. Edible plants allow urban residents to access healthy and fresh food without going to natural areas, and they also provide opportunities for activities like planting, caring, and harvesting. Moreover, with their aesthetic qualities in leaves, flowers, fruits, branches, and trunks, edible gardens composed of important plant taxa enhance the visual appeal of spaces throughout the seasons and encourage users to learn and socialize. The study aims to identify woody plant taxa with renewable fruit characteristics in the Kanuni campus of Karadeniz Technical University and investigate the perceptions of campus users towards these plants. Fieldwork identified 53 different plant taxa belonging to 17 families in campus green areas, and their aesthetic and functional characteristics were determined. Based on these characteristics, Corylus colurna, Laurocerasus officinalis, Ceratonia siliqua, and Punica granatum were found to have the highest landscape design potential. According to the survey conducted with 300 participants, mulberry and plum were the most recognized edible fruit trees on the campus. It was determined that the most suitable areas for planting these trees in future projects were expected to be faculty and department courtyards, festival areas, and along the main artery. The study revealed that the campus green areas were considered sufficient by the users and that the leaf characteristics of campus plants drew attention. Factor analysis identified six groups of factors that determine the perception and attitude of campus users towards renewable fruit trees.