Native flowering plants and their pollinators for use in urban landscape: the Turkmen Mountain case

Fuente: PubMed "pollination"
PeerJ. 2026 May 4;14:e21143. doi: 10.7717/peerj.21143. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTThis article presents a comprehensive field study examining the interaction between native flowering plant species suitable for urban landscapes and the pollinators that visit them. The research was conducted in June 2021 at 13 different locations in the Turkmen Mountain region within the borders of Eskisehir. A total of 57 flowering plant species were identified in the study; pollinator activity was observed in 35 of them. Additionally, the species diversity of pollinators and their interactions with plants were examined in detail, and for this purpose, the Pollinator Activity Index (PAI) was developed, combining the diversity of plant families, pollinator visits, and pollinator diversity. The findings revealed that the Fabaceae family had the highest PAI value (2.484 × 10-5) compared to other plant families, and some other plant families, such as Convolvulaceae and Lamiaceae, also had significant interaction levels. Specifically, it was found that pollinator activity was optimal within a temperature range of 17-19 °C; humidity, wind, and solar radiation partially affected pollinator behavior. Furthermore, the high rates of morphological adaptation and phenological overlap of plants indicate that flowering periods and pollinator activity are well synchronized. In the discussion section of the article, it is emphasized that the conservation and preference for natural plant species in urban ecosystems are critically important for supporting pollinator populations, sustaining ecosystem services, and conserving biodiversity. It is also revealed that urban green spaces provide habitat and microclimatic refuges for pollinators; therefore, they play a decisive role in pollinator-plant interactions. In conclusion, the study provides a scientific basis for the development of plant selection and landscape design strategies in sustainable urban planning.PMID:42111823 | PMC:PMC13151929 | DOI:10.7717/peerj.21143