Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
5th International Forest Entomology and Pathology Symposium, Kastamonu, Türkiye, 7 - 09 Mayıs 2026, ss.1, (Özet Bildiri)
Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a key role in supporting citizens’ daily lives while sustaining urban biodiversity and environmental quality. Within the framework of COST Action CA20132 UB3Guard (https://ub3guard.eu/), this study investigates young generations’ perception of urban trees biosecurity and management strategies for major insect pests and pathogens. Three insect pests (Asian longhorn beetle, emerald ash borer, pine processionary moth) and three pathogens (ash dieback, Phytophthora spp., canker stain of plane) were considered. Here we present results from the Turkish case study of a broader European survey. A semi-structured questionnaire of 37 questions was administered via the EUsurvey platform, collecting approximately 150 responses from students at Turkish universities.Results indicate a generally low awareness of urban tree biosecurity, with just 39% of respondents reporting familiarity with the concept. Across background, most respondents felt involved in the topic (73%) and interested in further investigation (78%). Knowledge of specific pests and pathogens is also limited, with canker stain of plane being the most recognised organism (49%), while invasive insects remain largely unknown. A “healthy tree” is primarily associated with vigour, abundant foliage and absence of pests/pathogens rather than aesthetic or structural attributes. Management preferences strongly reject no-intervention strategies and favour localized treatments (e.g. soil-based approaches, biological control, and innovative techniques) and, when necessary, replacement with resistant species. The choices are mainly driven by environmental motivations, while aesthetic value and management costs are considered less important. Accordingly, respondents perceive UGSs as providers of ecosystem services and favour scenarios with higher species and structural diversity enhancing system resilience. In Türkiye, these patterns reflect a context of increasing public sensitivity towards urban trees, shaped by long-term urbanisation and green space loss.