Examination of botanical gardens as urban green and open spaces in terms of ecosystem services: The case of Iasi Botanical Garden, Romania

Abstract

Background and Aims Modern cities are faced with rapidly increasing environmental-urban problems. This situation has further enhanced the need for public green spaces where urban residents can reconnect with nature. After the COVID-19 pandemic especially, urban residents' dependence on urban green and open spaces has become essential for both physical and psychological well-being. In this context, botanical gardens are some open spaces where urban recreation activities can be carried out. Botanical gardens allow for many cultural and social activities. In this respect, botanical gardens also serve ecosystem services. Because cultural ecosystem services, which are a subclass of ecosystem services, are services that increase human well-being, contribute socially, and are not easily quantifiable economically. In addition to these benefits, they can also affect climate dynamics. Botanical gardens often represent crucial ecological elements of the urban structure. Provisioning habitats for some species in urban areas is one of the other benefits of botanical gardens for ecosystem services. Methods The Anastasie Fătu Botanical Garden was analyzed. Through on-site observation and visual documentation, the services provided by ecosystem services and urban green and open space planning were examined. Results The Botanical Garden, consistently contributes to nature protection and human well-being through ecosystem services. The contributions to education and recreation underline the significance of botanical gardens and this result coincides considerably with earlier studies. Conclusion It was determined that the example area primarily provides cultural ecosystem services within the framework of green and open urban area. Activity-based suggestions were developed in terms of ecosystem services.