Sustaining Urban Forestry Activities: The Case Study of Çivril District, Denizli-Turkey

Abstract

Çivril is the third largest district of Denizli-Turkey with about 61000 of population. It has many important recreational and touristic areas including Gümüşsu (Homa) waterfall, Eumania antique city, Dedeköy and Serbanşah mosques, Beycesultan, Lake Işıklı, Gökgöl, Ak and Çıtak bridges, Akdağ Nature Park, old mansion, Koca plateau and Canyon Tokalı. In this study, the observation, examination, interview and assessment are done in the parks, gardens, roadsides and refuges of Çivril district, Lake Işıklı, Gümüşsu waterfall and Akdağ Nature Park. Accordingly, there is no problem with the selection of woody plant species, planting and maintenance (irrigation, weeding, struggle with disease etc.) in big parks of district but although the selection of those in small parks is good and adequate, planting and maintenance have not been taken care of. Color, aesthetics, appearance, harmony and functional values in the selection of woody plant species used in the planting activities of the pavement and the refuge are taken into consideration but not their eco-biological characteristics. Gümüşsu waterfall and Akdağ Nature Park provide recreational activities but Lake Işıklı which has natural visualization does not provide. Accessibility is a negative factor for the recreational usage of these areas. Finally, urban forestry activities of Çivril should be primarily started with the planning, designing and management of the open and green lands of the city center in an integrated way considering the ecological and technical criteria.

Keywords

• çivril
• maintenance
• planting
• urban forestry
• woody plant species