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Selection of Ornamental Plant Species for Urban Landscape in Hot and Arid Cities Based on a Climatic Analogue Approach: A Comparative Study of Ahmedabad (India) and Ahwaz (Iran)
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Mohamadreza Salehi Salmi *   |
| Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan |
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Abstract: (144 Views) |
The development and maintenance of urban landscapes in hot and arid regions are confronted with substantial challenges arising from extreme heat stress, limited water resources, and declining soil quality. The primary objective of this study was to identify and prioritize ornamental plant species adapted to such harsh environmental conditions by employing a comparative approach based on climatic similarity between Ahwaz (Iran) and Ahmedabad (India). To this end, a systematic field survey was conducted across major urban green spaces in Ahmedabad, during which plant species were recorded and identified based on their effective presence in the landscape, overall health status, and performance under conditions of heat and drought stress. The collected data were analyzed using a multi-criteria scoring matrix incorporating key indicators, including tolerance to extreme heat, low water requirements, salinity tolerance, adaptability to poor soils, aesthetic value, and non-invasive behavior. Out of a total of 617 identified species, 58 were ultimately selected as high-potential candidates for application in the urban green spaces of Ahwaz. The results revealed that species belonging to families such as Fabaceae and Apocynaceae exhibited the highest level of compatibility with the target climatic conditions, largely due to their favorable morphological and physiological traits that enhance resilience to environmental stressors. These findings demonstrate that the use of climatically analogous cities as ecological models represents an efficient and low-risk strategy for the development of resilient urban green infrastructure. Overall, this study provides a practical and evidence-based framework for urban green space managers and landscape planners, enabling informed plant selection aimed at enhancing ecological sustainability and improving the quality of urban landscapes in hot and arid environments.
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| Keywords: Climatic analogue approach, Ecological sustainability, Heat stress, Plant selection, Urban landscape |
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/12/24 | Accepted: 2026/04/29 | Published: 2026/05/3
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