Araştırma Makalesi

Xeriscape evaluation of urban parks in arid and semi-arid climates: The case of Yarmouk Park, Iraq

Sayı: 13 19 Ağustos 2026
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Xeriscape evaluation of urban parks in arid and semi-arid climates: The case of Yarmouk Park, Iraq

Öz

Background and Aims Rising temperatures and increasingly irregular precipitation regimes associated with climate change are intensifying pressure on water resources, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. In urban areas, a significant share of water consumption is used for the irrigation of green spaces, highlighting the need to evaluate parks and recreational areas within a water-efficient framework. This study represents one of the relatively limited field-based assessments focusing on urban parks in arid and semi-arid regions of the Middle East from a xeriscape perspective. The aim of the study is to evaluate Yarmouk Park, located in the Hawija District of the Kirkuk Governorate in Iraq, in accordance with xeriscape principles. Methods The research was conducted as a field-based qualitative study. The park was visited four times throughout the year, and soil structure, plant species, turf area use, irrigation systems, mulch applications, and maintenance practices were analysed based on six fundamental xeriscape criteria. Results The results indicated that the park soil is characterised by a clay loam texture, low organic matter content, and localised compaction. A considerable proportion of the park consists of turf areas. Irrigation is carried out manually, and no irrigation zoning is implemented. No mulch application was observed; however, most plant species in the park were drought-tolerant. Conclusion The vegetation structure of Yarmouk Park demonstrates strong potential for xeriscape implementation. However, improvements in soil management, turf area use, irrigation systems, and maintenance practices are required to enhance water efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Teşekkür

This study is derived from the master’s thesis entitled “Evaluation of Plants Used in Parks in the Kirkuk Hawija Region in Terms of Their Suitability for Xeriscape”, completed in 2023 at the Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Çankırı Karatekin University.

Kaynakça

  1. Abd‐Elaty, I., Kuriqi, A., Ahmed, A., Ramadan, E. M., 2024. Enhanced groundwater availability through rainwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge in arid regions. Applied Water Science, 14, 121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-024-02166-7.
  2. Addas, A., Maghrabi, A., 2021. Role of Urban Greening Strategies for Environmental Sustainability—A Review and Assessment in the Context of Saudi Arabian Megacities. Sustainability, 13, 6457. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116457.
  3. Ajjur, S. B., Al‐Ghamdi, S. G., 2021. Evapotranspiration and water availability response to climate change in the Middle East and North Africa. Climatic Change, 166, 28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-021-03122-z.
  4. Al-Ansari, N., 2013. Management of Water Resources in Iraq: Perspectives and Prognoses. Engineering, 5(8), 667–684. https://doi.org/10.4236/eng.2013.58080.
  5. Al-Ansari, N., 2016. Hydropolitics of the Tigris and Euphrates Basins. Engineering, 8(3), 140–172.
  6. Al-Ansari, N., 2021. Water Resources of Iraq. Journal of Earth Sciences and Geotechnical Engineering, 11(2), 15–34. https://doi.org/10.47260/jesge/1122.
  7. Al-Zubedi, A. S., 2022. Groundwater in Iraq. Ara Publishing. Baghdad, Iraq.
  8. Alam, H., Khattak, J. Z. K., Ppoyil, S. B. T., Kurup, S. S., Ksiksi, T. S., 2017. Landscaping with native plants in the UAE: A review. Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture, 29(10), 729-741. https://doi.org/10.9755/ejfa.2017.v29.i10.319.

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Ormancılık (Diğer)

Bölüm

Araştırma Makalesi

Yayımlanma Tarihi

19 Ağustos 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

7 Nisan 2026

Kabul Tarihi

3 Ağustos 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Sayı: 13

Kaynak Göster

APA
Hamada, A. S., Karaca, E., & Salih, Z. (2026). Xeriscape evaluation of urban parks in arid and semi-arid climates: The case of Yarmouk Park, Iraq. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi, 13, 11925067. https://doi.org/10.53516/ajfr.1925070
AMA
1.Hamada AS, Karaca E, Salih Z. Xeriscape evaluation of urban parks in arid and semi-arid climates: The case of Yarmouk Park, Iraq. AOAD. 2026;(13):11925067. doi:10.53516/ajfr.1925070
Chicago
Hamada, Azhar Sami, Elif Karaca, ve Ziyad Salih. 2026. “Xeriscape evaluation of urban parks in arid and semi-arid climates: The case of Yarmouk Park, Iraq”. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi, sy 13: 11925067. https://doi.org/10.53516/ajfr.1925070.
EndNote
Hamada AS, Karaca E, Salih Z (01 Ağustos 2026) Xeriscape evaluation of urban parks in arid and semi-arid climates: The case of Yarmouk Park, Iraq. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi 13 11925067.
IEEE
[1]A. S. Hamada, E. Karaca, ve Z. Salih, “Xeriscape evaluation of urban parks in arid and semi-arid climates: The case of Yarmouk Park, Iraq”, AOAD, sy 13, s. 11925067, Ağu. 2026, doi: 10.53516/ajfr.1925070.
ISNAD
Hamada, Azhar Sami - Karaca, Elif - Salih, Ziyad. “Xeriscape evaluation of urban parks in arid and semi-arid climates: The case of Yarmouk Park, Iraq”. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi. 13 (01 Ağustos 2026): 11925067. https://doi.org/10.53516/ajfr.1925070.
JAMA
1.Hamada AS, Karaca E, Salih Z. Xeriscape evaluation of urban parks in arid and semi-arid climates: The case of Yarmouk Park, Iraq. AOAD. 2026;:11925067.
MLA
Hamada, Azhar Sami, vd. “Xeriscape evaluation of urban parks in arid and semi-arid climates: The case of Yarmouk Park, Iraq”. Anadolu Orman Araştırmaları Dergisi, sy 13, Ağustos 2026, s. 11925067, doi:10.53516/ajfr.1925070.
Vancouver
1.Azhar Sami Hamada, Elif Karaca, Ziyad Salih. Xeriscape evaluation of urban parks in arid and semi-arid climates: The case of Yarmouk Park, Iraq. AOAD. 01 Ağustos 2026;(13):11925067. doi:10.53516/ajfr.1925070