Vascular plant diversity and tree structure in a historical urban cemetery: the Feriköy Protestant Cemetery (İstanbul, Türkiye)
Urban Ecosystems, cilt.29, sa.5, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 29 Sayı: 5
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11252-026-02134-w
- Dergi Adı: Urban Ecosystems
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Environment Index, Zoological Record, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Political Science Database (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Feriköy Protestant Cemetery, Urban biodiversity, Urban cemeteries, Vascular plant diversity, İstanbul
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Urban cemeteries are important components of urban biodiversity in densely urbanised cities and they reflect long-term cultural planting and management practices. This study provides the first integrated assessment of vascular plant diversity, tree structure and conservation-related characteristics of Feriköy Protestant Cemetery in the highly urbanised Şişli district of İstanbul, Türkiye. Seasonal field surveys recorded 153 vascular plant taxa belonging to 64 families and 123 genera. Native taxa formed a substantial component of the flora (103 taxa; 67%), while 32 taxa were exotic (21%) and 18 were introduced or cultivated (12%). Herbaceous taxa slightly outnumbered woody taxa and perennial species predominated. The spatial distribution of vegetation indicated a heterogeneous landscape. Spontaneous flora occurs alongside long-established ornamental and commemorative planting, with peripheral areas supporting more conspicuous spontaneous herbaceous vegetation and central sectors characterised by a greater concentration of planted woody vegetation. The main tree inventory comprised 158 individuals representing 36 taxa and 22 families, with Cupressus sempervirens accounting for 40.5% of recorded trees, reflecting its long-standing importance in İstanbul cemetery landscapes. Forty-nine trees were identified as candidate trees of potential monumental value and recommended for retention. Their estimated urban-adjusted biomass was 61,285.6 kg, corresponding to 30,642.8 kg of stored carbon and 112,367.1 kg CO₂ equivalent, with a substantial proportion concentrated in a limited number of large-diameter individuals. Non-native taxa differed in their observed behaviour. Some of the non-native species showed little evidence of local dominance. Ailanthus altissima showed regeneration across different parts of the cemetery and may require particular monitoring. Overall, the findings show that the ecological value of Feriköy arises from the interaction of native and spontaneous vegetation, mature trees, commemorative planting and management practices. Our findings support a differentiated management approach that combines biodiversity conservation, retention of valuable mature trees, targeted monitoring of problematic non-native taxa and protection of the cemetery’s cultural landscape.