Future Adaptability of Urban Trees due to the Effects of Climate Change: the Case of Artvin, Turkey

Abstract

Global climate change began to affect urban and rural landscape planning decisions. The accurate and efficient use of plants that support urban green infrastructure would play an important role in these decisions. The present study aimed to determine the tolerance of domestic and exotic woody plant species planted in public spaces in Artvin province, Turkey to the effects of climate change. Thus, the tolerance of 59 most prevalent trees and shrubs identified in public spaces and natural fields in 12 sampling areas in Artvin province center, Hopa and Ardanuc district centers were surveyed. Findings of the regression model demonstrated that drought, cold hardiness and precipitation had an impact on the adaptability scores of the plants. The differences between the climate conditions in sample areas had an impact on the future adaptation and tolerance of the plants to climate change. This demonstrated that plant species in urban green areas will be affected not only by the global climate change but also by local climate conditions in the short and long term.

Comparison of the Climate Change Tolerance of Native and Non-Native Species Used or Potentially Used as Ornamentals in Mediterranean Areas

“…Urban gardens can play an important role in mitigating climate change in cities by reducing temperatures and creating thermally healthy spaces [7]. Traditionally, the criteria for selecting species used in gardening have been influenced by social more than by ecological factors, remaining the dominant model inherited from the traditional "garden à la française" [8].…”

Negative effects of urbanization on plants: A global meta‐analysis

“…The effects of urbanization on plants may vary among urban areas with different city sizes, climates, and land uses (Concepción et al, 2015 ; Faeth et al, 2011 ; Gerstner et al, 2014 ; Sari & Karasah, 2020 ). The characteristics of different cities, such as the geographic location of the city, history, and economics, can also impact the effect of urbanization (McKinney, 2008 ); these factors have been less studied (McDonald et al, 2020 ).…”