Identifying The Role of Green Spaces in Air Quality Regulation: The Case of Trakya University Balkan Campus

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 21 Sayı: 1, 565 - 585, 30.06.2025

Emine Keleş Özgenç

https://doi.org/10.58816/duzceod.1463595

Öz

This research aims to investigate the ecological benefits and economic value of the vegetation cover on the Balkan Campus of Trakya University. The distribution of land cover classes, carbon storage capacity and air pollution mitigation effects of the campus area were assessed using the i-Tree Canopy tool. The results showed that the vegetation canopy, covering 23.93% of the area, removes 2375 kg of gases and particulate matter from the air. The economic benefit of improving the air quality of the campus area was estimated to be $1144. In addition, the amount of carbon sequestered by the canopy was 107.61 tons, while the amount of carbon stored was 2702.45 tons. The results indicate that the canopy cover of trees/shrubs on campus contributes significantly to the ecosystem by improving air quality. This study also highlights that increasing green space and promoting planting efforts can provide significant environmental and economic benefits in creating sustainable and climate-friendly campuses.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Air quality , Balkan campus , Carbon storage , i-Tree canopy , Urban trees

Hava Kalitesinin Düzenlenmesinde Yeşil Alanların Rolünün Belirlenmesi: Trakya Üniversitesi Balkan Yerleşkesi Örneği

Öz

Bu araştırma, Trakya Üniversitesi Balkan Yerleşkesi'ndeki bitki taç örtüsünün ekolojik faydalarını ve ekonomik değerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Kampüs alanı arazi örtüsü sınıflarının dağılımı, karbon depolama/tutma kapasitesi ile hava kirliliğinin azaltılması etkileri i-Tree Canopy aracı ile değerlendirildi. Sonuçlar, alanın %23.93'ünü kaplayan taç örtüsünün havadan 2375 kg gaz ve partikül maddeyi uzaklaştırdığını göstermiştir. Kampüs alanının hava kalitesini iyileştirmeye yönelik ekonomik fayda değeri 1144$ olarak hesaplanmıştır. Ayrıca, taç örtüsü tarafından yakalanan karbon miktarı 107,61 ton, depolanan karbon miktarı ise 2702,45 ton olarak belirlenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar, kampüs ağaç/çalılarının taç örtüsünün hava kalitesini iyileştirmede ekosisteme önemli katkılar sağladığını göstermiştir. Bu çalışma aynı zamanda sürdürülebilir ve iklim dostu kampüs oluşturma çabalarında, yeşil alanların artırılması ve ağaçlandırma çalışmalarının teşvik edilmesinin çevresel ve ekonomik faydalar sağlayabileceğini vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Hava kalitesi , Balkan yerleşkesi , Karbon depolama , i-Tree Canopy , Kent ağaçları

Kaynakça

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