Identification and ecological assessment of plant species with bioaccumulation and phytoremediation properties in recreation areas of Aliağa (İzmir) industrial city

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate plant species in urban recreation areas under pressure from intensive industrial activities in the Aliağa district of İzmir in terms of their biocumulator and phytoremediation potential. The study aims to contribute to plant design decisions in industry-focused cities being made not only for aesthetic reasons but also in line with ecological functions. Method: Within the scope of the study, eight recreational areas located near industrial facilities, port activities, and transportation networks were examined on-site, and the existing plant species in these areas were identified. The identified species were analyzed in terms of their life forms, area-based distribution, proportion within the total number of species, and the plant organs (leaves, roots, branches) in which they accumulate heavy metals, and were classified according to their phytoremediation capacity. Findings: The data obtained showed that the proportion of effective species in biocumulation and phytoremediation within the total number of species ranged from 3.23% to 39.29% depending on the area. In contrast, it was determined that the representation (prevalence) rates of these species within the population ranged from 21.67% to 81.87%, which were higher levels. Furthermore, it was determined that heavy metal accumulation most frequently occurred in leaf tissue (20 species), followed by root (7 species) and branch (6 species) organs. Conclusion: Research findings reveal that high species diversity in recreational areas alone does not reflect environmental improvement capacity. Environmental improvement potential is largely related to the representation level (density) of species with phytoremediation capacity within the area. In this context, promoting species with high pollutant retention capacity in plant designs for cities under industrial pressure is critically important for ecological sustainability.