Effects of landscape plants on public health: The case of Bursa-Mudanya

Abstract

Plants are a part of life, and they are elements that are an inseparable part of landscape designs, especially in areas that are widely used by large masses of people. It is of great importance to know and choose the properties of plants that affect public health due to their aesthetic, functional, and psychological effects, as well as some components they contain. Toxic components in different organs of plants cause adverse effects for humans and animals by touching and ingesting. Furthermore, many plants can cause allergic reactions because of their pollens. This study examined open green areas designed for public use in Bursa province of Turkey, Mudanya district, and the taxa of woody landscape plants in these areas were evaluated in terms of their toxic properties for public health. In the study, it was determined that 79.4% of the 107 taxa of woody landscape plants showed toxic and allergenic properties, while 20.6% did not show toxic properties. On the other hand, it was observed that the rate of non-toxic but allergenic taxa was 18.6 %. As a result of statistical studies with the obtained data, a significant relationship among the parameters examined was determined in the study. Landscape designs made by considering the toxicological properties of plants may reduce the cases of poisoning caused by plants, and the measures to be taken for existing designs may raise awareness of the public on this issue.