Basima Alsheikh*(1), Rami Youness(1), Dimah Najar (2), and sawsan Allan(1)
(1). Department Forestry and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.
(2). Directorate of Agriculture, Forestry Department, Lattakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Basima Alshiekh. E.Mail: basimaal508@gmail.com ).
Received: 19/12/2023 Accepted: 9/5/2024
Abstract:
Urban green spaces contribute to biodiversity conservation, and provide ecosystem services and benefits. Study was carried out in the city of Latakia in Syria. It iimed to estimate functional biodiversity in the city parks. Thirteen parks were chosen, and 34 sampls were identified witheen these parks. Fifty-five plant species were recorded, including ceratonia siliqua, which is endangered by extinction, belonging to 41 genera and 26 families. Moraceae and Fabaceae were the most represented families with 7 species, the family Oleaceae came next with 5 species. Species characteristics were as follow: most of species were exotic (63.64%), tree size was small (83.64%), pollination by insects (67.27%), and dispersal by animals (58.18%), evergreen (70.91%), low abundance (40%), The fruits were dry (52.72%). Trees cosnstitute (69.09%) of all species. The relative importance of Washingtonia filifera was the highest (IVI=(15.930, followed by Ficus nitida (IVI=14.053) and Melia azedarach (IVI=(9.212. Pinus brutia and Melia azedarach were the most abundance species. Results showed low to moderate values in biodiversity indicators, and use of non-native species more than native ones. The study recommends the use of indigenous species as they support biodiversity and wildlife in the urban landscape.
Keywords: Plant diversity, functional diversity, urban park, green space, Latakia, Syria.
Full paper in Arabic: PDF