No abstract

Nearly 90% of people's lives are lived indoors, and their health is affected by the concentrations of CO 2 in these spaces. Carbon dioxide concentrations can rapidly change based on human activity in indoor living spaces. Indoor plants and the concentration of CO 2 in the local environment are factors that infl uence most people. Plants, depending on the ambient light and temperature conditions, and which are necessary to perform photosynthesis or respiration, directly affect the concentration of CO 2 in the local environment. Furthermore, indoor plants infl uence the level of CO 2 in the local environment but have not been researched enough in recent years concerning their specifi c effects. This study attempts to determine the effects of indoor plants on the concentration of CO 2 in an indoor environment under certain light conditions. Five indoor plants were placed in a glass-walled compartment in order to measure the amount of CO 2 . The glass compartment used in the study was positioned in a way to prevent direct sunlight yet provide an illuminated environment. The plants were placed into this airtight compartment with a glass wall, which had a volume of approximately 0.5 m 3 (0.7 m x 0.7 m x 1 m). The measurements of CO 2 within the compartment were carried out via Extech Desktop Indoor Air Quality CO 2 Datalogger, and the CO 2 measuring device placed in the compartment was set to measure CO 2 once every fi ve minutes. The study found that all plants reduced the concentration of CO 2 to a certain extent during the day.

In this study, the effect of water stress on the germination rate of the seeds of nine pieces of species used for landscaping works in Kastamonu is investigated. The seeds of these species have been subject to germination trials with water stress level between 0 and -8 bar and the germination percentages of the seeds have been identified. The water stress was constituted with the use of polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) solution and germinations were carried out at 25ºC in a period of 35 days. Depending on the water stress as a result of these studies, it has been stated that the percentages of all species have decreased as from -2 bar water stress; there are no germinations in -6 bar water stress for the tree of heaven, and in -8 bar water stress for Cupressus arizonica and Sophora japonica. We found that the species most resistant to water stress are Pinus nigra, Cupressus sempervirens, and Pinus brutia.

Bioclimatic comfort defines the optimal climatic conditions in which people feel healthy and dynamic. Bioclimatic comfort mapping methods are useful to urban managers and planners. For the purposes of planning, climatic conditions, as determined by bioclimatic comfort assessments, are important. Bioclimatic components such as temperature, relative humidity, and wind speeds are important in evaluating bioclimatic comfort. In this study of the climate of Kastamonu province, the most suitable areas in terms of bioclimatic comfort have been identified. In this context, climate values belonging to the province of Kastamonu are taken from a total of nine meteorological stations. Altitude (36-1050 m) between stations is noted for revealing climatic changes. The data collected from these stations, including average temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed values are transferred to geographical information system (GIS) using ArcMap 10.2.2 software. GIS maps created from the imported data has designated the most suitable comfort areas in and around the city of Kastamonu. As a result, the study shows that Kastamonu has suitable ranges for bioclimatic comfort zone. The range of bioclimatic comfort value for Kastamonu is 17.6 °C. It is between a comfort ranges which is 15-20 °C. Kastamonu City has suitable area for bioclimatic comfort.

In recent years, natural areas have become a preferred recreation area for people looking to escape their busy urban lives. The world has become so complicated that people now seek solace in areas of nature. Recreational activities conducted in natural areas, such as Ilgaz Mountain National Park, should be respectful of the environment to ensure balance and no negative environmental impact. This balance should safeguard environmental protection and only be used with the right to establish recreation planning. National parks are protected areas where the most beautiful wonders of nature exist. Thus, urban planning for recreation, and demand for recreation areas, must demonstrate both the potential of recreation resources and the protection of Ilgaz Mountain National Park. Urban open and green spaces have an important function, and in this study, it has been looked at Ilgaz Mountain National Park to examine the current situation. The aim of this study is to ensure the sustainability of natural and cultural resources via an evaluation to reveal the necessary practices and precautions regarding the area's recreational potential. As a result, Ilgaz Mountain National Park's recreation potential was found to be 72 %, and thus, it is considered to be an area of high recreation potential.