Floristic diversity and conservation in peri-urban landscapes: The Case of Sarıyer, Istanbul

This study investigates the temporal changes in floristic composition within Sarıyer, a peri-urban district in northern Istanbul that serves as a critical conservation zone due to its ecological richness. By synthesizing data from 11 prior studies, a comprehensive flora database was developed, encompassing 1,194 plant taxa distributed across 125 families and 525 genera. Sarıyer accounts for approximately 47.76% of Istanbul's total plant species and 69.7% of its endemic taxa, underscoring its pivotal role in regional biodiversity. Key findings include the identification of 23 endemic taxa and 21 taxa categorized under IUCN threat levels, emphasizing the area's ecological significance and the urgent need for conservation measures. The study highlights the impacts of urbanization, including habitat fragmentation, the introduction of invasive species, and large-scale infrastructure projects, on the region's biodiversity. Floristic records were analyzed alongside contemporary data, revealing that 267 taxa documented in earlier surveys were absent in recent studies, many due to urban transformation. This research underscores the importance of aligning urban development with ecological principles and proposes conservation strategies to prioritize threatened habitats. The integration of floristic records and contemporary data provides a robust framework for sustainable biodiversity management, offering a model for urban conservation globally.