A Research Project was conducted on the Significance of Plant Diversity and Cultural Landscapes in Cyprus
Date Added: 05 December 2019, 15:14
Last Updated Date:17 November 2020, 16:50
Rose and jasmine plants and fruit trees are the most preferred in home gardens..

Head of Department of Landscaping of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Özge Özden Fuller and Academic Member Sinem Yıldırım jointly conducted a project on plant biodiversity in cultural landscaping, titled as “The Significance of Plant Diversity Cyprus and Cultural Landscapes” and their work has been published in the August 2019n issue of International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, the research project was carried out in 2015-2016 and within the scope of the project; a total of 81 different species of ornamental plants, 35 different types of edible plant cultivation were identified.

Furthermore, it was stated that research visits were made to identify the plant species grown in the 60 homes in Güzelyurt region and rural residential gardens. As a result of the study, it was found that in almost the entire rural home gardens, rose and jasmine plants and fruit trees were the most preferred.

Beneficial vegetables and plants are grown
Making a statement regarding the matter, Head of Department of Landscaping of Near East University, Prof. Dr. Özge Özden Fuller, stated that the ornamental plants as well as edible plant cultivation were widely observed in rural home gardens.

On the other hand, Academic Member Sinem Yıldırım stated that are vegetables and herbaceous spice plants were grown. She also expressed that the society was conscious regarding the benefits of herbaceous spices which they grew in their gardens.

Green spaces help us to be healthy
In addition to the above, Prof. Dr. Özge Özden Fuller and Academic Member Sinem Yıldırım pointed out that there were a lot of research indicating improved metal and physical health of people who live in a green environments. They gave examples and said that according to a study published in the Science Journal in 1984, spending time in the garden and in the nature have been shown to help ease surgeries, infections and other ailments. In another research conducted by Dutch scientists in 2015, green areas close to the homes have positive effects on human health. Again in a similar study conducted in Spain in 2015, green areas close to the living area are good for people's mental health recorded.

Landscape Analysis in a Different Parameter
Moreover, Prof. Dr. Özge Özden Fuller stated that they were currently working on another project, with Academic Members Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buket Asilsoy and Sinem Yıldırım, involving landscape analysis in a different parameter in the same region. She ended her words by expressing that they were expecting to achieve important results related from the aforementioned project in the near future.