مکانیابی، طراحی و توصیه کاشت گونه های گیاهی پارک برون شهری، با رویکرد اکولوژیکی پارامتریک، مطالعه موردی آذربایجان غربی، منطقه مارمیشو

Introduction



With the rapid urban expansion and the increasing need for green spaces to improve environmental conditions, the creation of peri-urban parks, especially in industrial and semi-industrial areas, plays a significant role. These parks, as both recreational and ecological spaces, can effectively contribute to reducing pollution, moderating temperature, and increasing biodiversity. Therefore, site selection and park design using scientific and precise approaches tailored to the specific conditions of each region are essential. The Marmisho region in West Azerbaijan was chosen as a suitable case study due to its unique climatic and ecological characteristics. This area, facing climatic changes, degradation, and specific edaphic conditions, requires a forest park design that aligns with the region’s ecological conditions. This study aims to analyze field data, identify floristic groups, and recommend planting native and climate-resilient plant species suitable for the region's environmental conditions.



Materials and Methods

Study Area



The study area is located in the Marmisho Valley, 45 km northwest of Urmia City, West Azerbaijan. The area spans 184 square kilometers and lies between 34°37′ to 37°36′ north latitude and 44°36′ to 44°42′ east longitude. The elevation ranges between 1600-1800 meters above sea level, with slopes varying from 30% to 60%.



Research Methodology



The development of peri-urban parks, particularly in areas like Marmisho with unique ecological characteristics, requires precise environmental analyses and scientific recommendations to enhance vegetation cover and achieve a sustainable ecosystem. The main objective of this study is to identify the most suitable areas for planting native and climate-resilient plant species in response to environmental changes and regional degradation. To achieve these goals, Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) was used to identify floristic groups, while Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) was applied to determine optimal zones for planting. Additionally, the Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) model was proposed for planting recommendations based on the ecological and environmental priorities of Marmisho. Ultimately, the results provide strategies for optimizing forest park design and improving the area's vegetation cover.



Results

DCA Analysis



Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) was used to identify floristic groups and their relationship with environmental variables such as soil type, pollution, and moisture conditions. The analysis helps to identify vegetation patterns and groups that are resistant to specific environmental conditions. The DCA results from analyzing the plot data indicated that three plant groups in the study area share similar ecological characteristics and growth needs. The first axis accounted for 68.4% of the variance, while the second axis accounted for 12.8%. Given the high explanatory power of these axes, they were used to identify the ecological groups in the region.



Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE)



The MCE model was used to identify and prioritize suitable locations for planting species in the park. Factors such as slope, aspect, elevation, soil properties, bare land areas, high-density forest stands, low-density forest stands, road distance buffers, and river distance buffers were evaluated with different weightings. After determining the MCE suitability results, the final map was produced by overlapping the data with the WLC method. According to the final map, areas classified into classes 4 and 5 were identified as suitable and highly suitable for peri-urban park development based on ecological principles.



Discussion



In this study, based on the indicators set for optimal site selection for green space development, the location for the park construction was determined using the linear model derived from the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The linear weighted model obtained in the hierarchical analysis, which integrates all considered parameters, is as follows:



Y = 0.082X1 + 0.038X2 + 0.033X3 + 0.225X4 + 0.049X5 + 0.141X6 + 0.128X7 + 0.164X8 + 0.141X9



Considering this model and examining the topographic maps and landforms, it is evident that the study area's terrain has unique conditions and limitations, such as steep slopes and numerous waterways. Additionally, field observations revealed significant erosion in surface soil on slopes and exposed bedrock in areas devoid of vegetation cover. These natural factors limited the selection of criteria for optimal site selection for peri-urban green space development.



Overall, the criteria and indicators necessary for park development were chosen to better match the region's topographic and landform conditions, ensuring the park can be developed with minimal intervention and disruption to its natural structure. Based on the habitat needs of the ecological groups identified from DCA, three ecological groups, including various native tree and shrub species, were identified and integrated into the forest park plan.



Using native plant species and properly planning urban and peri-urban green spaces will increase biodiversity, aesthetic value, and ecological improvement of the environment. Ultimately, this will contribute to the long-term environmental sustainability of natural ecosystems. Therefore, planning for a sustainable green space in the region, aiming to achieve a stable natural environment, is essential.