Assessing ecosystem services provided by cemeteries in urban landscapes Kentsel peyzajlarda mezarlıkların sağladığı ekosistem hizmetlerinin değerlendirilmesi


Çobankaya H., Kaçmaz Akkurt G.

Journal of Agriculture Faculty of Ege University, vol.62, no.3, pp.297-312, 2025 (Scopus, TRDizin) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 62 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.20289/zfdergi.1527564
  • Journal Name: Journal of Agriculture Faculty of Ege University
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.297-312
  • Keywords: Cemeteries, ecosystem services, i-tree eco model, Isparta, urban landscape
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to quantify the regulating ecosystem services provided by cemeteries, which have an important place in the urban green space system, in sample areas in Isparta city. Material and Methods: The Gülcü Cemetery, Isparta Garrison Martyrs’ CemeteryKaraağaç Cemetery and Akyol Cemetery, which were selected as the main study material, were evaluated in terms of their capacity to provide four regulating ecosystem services (air pollution removal, carbon sequestration and storage, oxygen production, avoided surface runoff) using the i-Tree Eco model. Data on land use type and various tree characteristics (tree species, trunk diameter (DBH) (cm), tree height (m), live crown height (m), etc.) were used in the analysis. Results: According to the research findings, the trees in the examined cemeteries collectively store approximately 47.22 tons of carbon and sequester 6,770 tons of carbon per year in gross terms. Additionally, plants in cemeteries intercept approximately 373.6 cubic meters of surface runoff per year and remove 35.55 kilograms of air pollutants. Moreover, the trees in the cemeteries generate an estimated 125.89 tons of oxygen annually. Conclusion: To enhance regulatory ecosystem services, it is suggested to utilize suitable plant species in cemetery designs and increase plant species diversity.