The main objective of this study is to determine the knowledge and awareness levels of climate change among preparatory class students at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University in the Western Black Sea Region of Türkiye using an unsupervised clustering approach. Within this scope, a survey was administered to university students (n = 280). Participant scores for the survey sections containing five-point Likert-type questions on climate change awareness were calculated using min–max normalization. The normalized data was then processed using the k-means algorithm, a well-known technique in unsupervised machine learning. This resulted in a classification (clustering) related to climate change awareness. The number of clusters was determined using the Silhouette index. Three clusters identified using k-means and Silhouette index ($S\approx 0.55)$ revealed the knowledge and application levels of student groups regarding climate change awareness. As a result of clustering, it was determined that Cluster-3 students (n = 134, 47.9%), defined as having a high level of knowledge and application, had a higher impact value in their overall assessments of green space-focused issues related to climate change awareness compared to the overall assessments of students in other clusters. Some notable findings concerning the attitudes of Cluster-3 students highlight climate change awareness-related practices. These include minimizing water consumption to levels necessary for ecosystem water management (mean = 95.7, std. deviation = 10.9) and exercising controlled, sustainable daily energy use to alleviate pressure on green spaces (mean = 94.4, std. deviation = 12.5). This study offers practical insights for policymakers, educators, and institutions, emphasizing the need to enhance climate education and to promote the active involvement of younger generations in shaping sustainable environments.

Gelişen sosyo-ekonomik yapıyla birlikte; çevresel ve görsel yaşam bilinci, özellikle süs bitkilerinin üretimine olan taleple birlikte orantılı olarak gün geçtikçe artarak devam etmektedir. Ülkemizin de uygun iklimsel ve coğrafi koşulları, diğer pazar ülkelerine yakınlığı ve ucuz iş gücüne sahip olması gibi nedenler, kesme çiçek üretim alanı ve miktarında önemli artışların ortaya çıkmasını sağlamıştır. Bu araştırma, Zonguldak kentinde çiçek perakendecilerinin mevcut yapısını ve kesme çiçek tüketimini belirlemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Çalışma, kent merkezi ve ilçelerde bulunan 34 adet çiçek perakendecisi ile yapılan anket çalışması sonucu elde edilen verilere dayanılarak yapılmıştır. Anket çalışması ile perakendecilerin demografik yapısı, çiçekçilerin karşılaştıkları sorunlar, kesme çiçekleri temin ettikleri iller, çiçekleri sunum şekilleri, satış yöntemleri, satış yapılan yerin mülkiyet durumu, dükkân büyüklüğü ve çiçeklerin nakliyesi, en fazla satış yapılan özel günler ve tüketicilerin en çok tercih ettiği kesme çiçek türleri incelenmiştir. Çalışmaya göre en fazla tercih edilen kesme çiçek krizantem olup, kesme çiçekler daha çok buket yapımında kullanılmaktadır. Kesme çiçeklerin temin edildiği illerin başında İzmir ve Yalova gelmektedir. Bunun yanında çiçekler çoğunlukla klimalı soğutucu araçlarla toptancılar tarafından getirilmektedir. Araştırma sonuçlarına göre kesme çiçek perakendecilerinin %70.58’sinin erkek, % 29.42’sinin ise kadın olduğu belirlenmiştir.

This study aims to identify agricultural land suitability in Mardin province, located in the semi-arid Southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. Within this framework, eight ecological criteria were selected to assess agricultural land suitability. Criterion weights were derived from expert judgments using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method. The criteria were evaluated within the framework of the five classes used in agricultural land-use suitability, in accordance with the guidelines of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Based on this classification, maps of the determined criteria were prepared using Geographic Information Systems (GISs), and an agricultural land-use suitability map was produced using a weighted overlay approach. The results indicate that 31.3% of the total land area in Mardin province falls within the highly and moderately suitable classes. For validation, the suitability map was overlaid with the Coordination of Information on the Environment (CORINE) Land Cover (CLC) 2018 data, revealing that 98.8% of highly suitable (S1) areas and 94.6% of moderately suitable (S2) areas correspond to existing agricultural lands. Furthermore, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis yielded an Area Under the Curve (AUC) value of 0.815, indicating an acceptable-to-good discrimination ability and confirming the robustness of the model.

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of indoor plants on students' learning levels. The study group consists of students studying in the Department of Interior Design at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Çaycuma Vocational School. It was determined by the course instructor (researcher) that there were 40 interior design students in the 2024-2025 Spring semester when the study was conducted. A survey was administered to determine the effective learning levels of students in environments with and without plants. The survey was conducted in two stages. In the first stage, 30 students who participated in the study were given a lesson in an empty classroom and were asked to evaluate their learning in this classroom. In the second stage, indoor plants were placed in a classroom for the students. The placed plants remained in the classroom where these students were taking lessons until the end of the semester. The survey mentioned above was applied again at the end of the semester. The analyses revealed a significant difference between students' pre- and post-test scores regarding effective learning. Based on this result, it can be concluded that the use of indoor plants in classrooms significantly impacts students' learning levels.

This study was conducted to determine the species diversity and functional usage status of ornamental plants used within the borders of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Farabi Campus. The research covers open and semi-open areas throughout the campus, and field studies were carried out between April and June 2024. Within the scope of the study, each plant species was examined in terms of criteria such as scientific and Turkish name, life form, leaf shedding status and purpose of use in landscape. The findings revealed that the plants commonly used on campus were generally preferred for aesthetic purposes but were also used for functional purposes such as shading, windbreaking, orientation and demarcation. Many taxa in the forms of trees, shrubs, bushes, and vines were identified in the campus area; it was observed that shrub species were predominant and native species were used more limitedly than exotic species. Ornamental plants in the campus increase spatial quality and contribute positively to the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the users. However, some species (such as Cercis siliquastrum L. and Lagerstroemia indica L.) has been found to have limited adaptation to regional climatic conditions and caution has been recommended in the use of these species. As a result, this research has provided scientific data for landscape planning and applications at the campus scale and has offered suggestions for sustainable green space management.

The reduction of emissions and reaching carbon neutrality are implemented by various organisations, institutions, countries, and other associations on national and international levels. Universities are central to promoting sustainability and modelling low-carbon practices. This study assesses the 2023 carbon footprint (CF) of Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University’s Farabi Campus, aiming to quantify its greenhouse-gas impacts, highlight mitigation opportunities and encourage more prudent resource use. Emissions from natural gas, electricity, water and campus-fleet vehicles were estimated using IPCC and UK DEFRA factors. Total emissions reached 2 361.24 t CO₂e (IPCC) and 1 697.35 t CO₂e (DEFRA); the per-person CF, calculated for all staff as of December 2023, provides an additional benchmark. Interpreting these results clarifies current impacts and helps prioritise actions needed to meet the university’s carbon-neutral ambitions. Recommended measures—such as improving energy efficiency, adopting sustainable transport, and strengthening waste-management and offset programmes—offer a practical roadmap for reducing emissions and advancing campus sustainability. The results of the study provide important information for the campus management as a basic guide to determine the steps to be taken for a carbon-neutral campus. In this context, recommendations such as energy efficiency measures, sustainable transportation policies, waste management strategies, etc. contribute to a sustainable future for the campus