Predictors of conservation value of Turkish cemeteries: A case study using orchids

• Published in: Landscape and urban planning Vol. 186; pp. 36 - 44
• Main Authors: Löki, Viktor, Molnár V., Attila, Süveges, Kristóf, Heimeier, Helmut, Takács, Attila, Nagy, Timea, Fekete, Réka, Lovas-Kiss, Ádám, Kreutz, Karel C.A.J., Sramkó, Gábor, Tökölyi, Jácint
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-06-2019
• Subjects: Anthropogenic habitats; Asia minor; Biodiversity; Cemeteries; Orchidaceae; Urban-rural gradient; Asia minor; Urban-rural gradient; Cemeteries; Biodiversity; Orchidaceae; Anthropogenic habitats
• ISSN: 0169-2046; 1872-6062
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.02.016

•Orchid abundance and species richness were studied in 631 Turkish cemeteries.•Conservation value decreased along the urban-rural gradient.•Urban and rural cemeteries differed in area and structure.•Conservation value was positively related to proportion of native trees in cemeteries.•Cemetery structure (age and distance of graves) predicted orchid species richness.
In the face of worldwide habitat loss, the role of human-shaped habitats in conserving biodiversity is becoming increasingly important. Due to their special cultural role, cemeteries can preserve parts of the native vegetation when the surrounding landscape becomes degraded. However, these special refuges are threatened by human encroachment and changing management practices. The aim of this study was to understand how urbanization affects the conservation value of cemeteries, indicated by orchids as flagship species for biodiversity conservation. We analyzed species richness, abundance and the presence of threatened orchid taxa in cemeteries from 631 differently sized Turkish settlements along an urban-rural gradient. To understand driving patterns determining the conservation value, we performed detailed characterization of 288 cemeteries in terms of woody vegetation (tree cover and proportion of native trees) and overall structure (age, density and type of graves). Conservation value was highest in rural cemeteries. Rural cemeteries were smaller, contained more traditional and less densely situated graves, but their woody vegetation was similar to urban cemeteries. The proportion of native trees was positively related to species richness, abundance and presence of threatened orchid taxa, after taking into account area, altitude and geographical location of cemeteries. In addition, cemetery structure (age and density of graves) predicted species richness. Our results indicate that urbanization and modern changes in human activity have a strong impact on the conservation value of Turkish cemeteries. Practices maintaining traditional burial habits and environment-friendly management of cemeteries deserve more moral and financial support.