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Given the rapid urbanization, the spatial patterns of green spaces in urban environments have undergone significant changes. This study aims to assess the quantitative changes and spatial patterns of green spaces in the city of Salmas using a landscape ecology approach. To achieve this, green space maps of Salmas from Google Earth Engine imagery for the years 2008, 2015, and 2022 were extracted. The urban development of Salmas over the 15-year period was then evaluated. Landscape metrics for structural connectivity were calculated using Fragstats 4.2.1, and functional connectivity indices using Confer Sensinode 2.6 at distances of 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 m in all study periods. The results indicated that in Salmas, the green spaces experienced a relatively unfavorable trend in terms of composition, distribution, and spatial arrangement. Over the study period, green space patches underwent a process of degradation concerning their extent, connectivity, and spatial distribution. Moreover, the urban green space per capita in 2008 in Salmas was 8.09 m2/capita, which did not significantly differ from the national standard (12 m2/capita). However, by 2022, with the population and area increase in Salmas, the urban green space per capita decreased to 5.78 m2. Structural connectivity results revealed insufficient connectivity between urban green space patches in Salmas. Functional connectivity analysis demonstrated a decreasing trend in most of the examined indices. Only the dBC_PC index showed a fluctuating trend from 2008 (4.73) to 2022 (5.22), indicating the stability of significant green space patches in Salmas. The overall analysis of urban green spaces in Salmas indicated a decreasing trend in patch density. The reduced creation of green space patches in recent periods implies a decline in the spatial relationships of urban green spaces. Given the shortage of green spaces in studied small size city, planning to increase the area and urban green space per capita is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]