Resilient plant species selection for urban green infrastructure development in arid regions: a case of Qom, Iran

In regard to the ecological challenges stand facing green infrastructure in hot-arid regions, selecting resilient species of plants, as a determining factor, can significantly contribute to GI sustainability. Therefore, the present study aimed to establish a framework for the selection of resilient plant species in these regions, particularly in the city of Qom, Central Iran. To this end, the main criteria were ascertained based on the related thematic literature. Then, any existing (dominant) and proposed species exploited for the development of GI in this region were identified. In the following, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the fuzzy AHP to assign weight to each criterion, and the fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution were utilized to rank the plant species. For this purpose, the opinions of 15 experts in urban GI and horticulture were elicited. The results demonstrated that water (0.273), soil (0.254), climate (0.199), ecological conditions (0.180), and urban pollution (0.092) were the main determining criteria. As well, resistance of the plant species against soil salinity (0.075), evapotranspiration (ET) (0.069), water stress (0.3067), salinity (0.067), and adverse environmental conditions (0.063) were among the most significant sub-criteria to clarify the resilient species concerned. Finally, it was concluded that tree species such as Tamarix aphylla, and Populus euphratica (desert poplar), Eucalyptus blue (southern blue gum); shrub ones including Calligonum, Callistemon citrinus (crimson bottlebrush), and Astragalus brachycalyx (the Persian manna); and vegetation species such as Salvia rosmarinus (rosemary), Frankenia (sea heath), and Atriplex argentea were the most resilient species.