Ebru Gül

Determination of suitable plant species for reclamation at an abandoned coal mine area

This study was conducted to determine suitable plant species for reclamation of an abandoned coal mine area at Ovacik village within the borders of Yaprakli town in the province of Cankiri, Turkey. The paper comprises three basic parts: (i) sampling and analyses of several chemical–physical properties of the soil; (ii) sampling and identification of the natural plant species; and (iii) determination of topographic features of the study area by spatial analysis tools. Soil samples were taken from 0 to 30 cm depth at 15 sampling sites. Soil textural separates (percent sand, silt and clay), calcium carbonate (CaCO3), soil pH, electrical conductivity and soil organic matter (SOM) were measured. Soil properties, especially SOM content, pH and textural separates, exhibited significant variations at the sampling site. SOM content was considerably high and pH was low in the coal storage area. The plant composition of the study area was studied based on the plants collected during the period of vegetation from 2010 to 2011. The collected plants were suitably transformed to herbarium materials and identified according to modern systematic techniques. A total of 54 taxa belonging to 23 families were determined in the study area. The average slope of the study area is approximately 24% and the dominant aspect is south-east. By considering all features of the study area, a total of 28 taxa, excluding natural plant species identified on the site, were suggested for reclamation.

Substratum Properties and Mosses in Semi-Arid Environments. A Case Study from North Turkey

Abstract We investigated moss flora distribution and their relationship to substrates of a semi-arid environment in Cankiri, northwest Turkey. Moss samples were taken from soil surfaces, rock, and tree barks. Soil samples were taken from underneath mosses at 17 sites and soil texture, CaCO3, pH, electrical conductivity, and soil organic matter were measured. Rock samples were collected from 15 different rock types and some mosses were collected from the oak barks. Identification of the moss specimens revealed the presence of 58 taxa belonging to 23 genera and 10 families — three species included in the Red Data Book of European Bryophytes. The relationship between moss occurrence patterns and terrestrial variables was evaluated by multiple linear regression analysis. No significant relationship could be established between Syntrichia ruralis and any of the studied terrestrial variables. Silt content correlated to the greatest number of moss taxa while pH could correlate with only one taxon. Grimmia trichophylla and Syntrichia ruralis were the most abundant species within the collected mosses and Tortula revolvens and Ceratodon purpureus were specific to calcareous soils in the study area.

Pyhtojeomorphological Properties of Melilotus officinalis (L.) Desr. and Melilotus alba Desr. (Fabaceae) Taxa in Semiarid Areas Pyhtojeomorphological Properties of Melilotus (L.) Species

This study was carried out to determine morphological, ecological and climatic properties of Melilotus officinalis (L.) Desr. and Melilotus alba Desr. taxa located natural vegetation within the Buyukyayla in Cankiri province Yaprakli district. According to the Grid system of Davis, the study area is on the A4 square and north of the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. The climate of the study area was determined using Emberger method. Plant and soil samples were collected during the vegetation period of 2014 in the study area. Morphologically observed characters of plant height (cm), stipule (mm), racemic (cm), in the case of fruit when I racemic (cm), flowers (units), corollo (mm), wings (mm), keel (mm), standart ( mm), fruit (mm) stamen (single) (mm) stamen (united) (mm), calyx tube (mm), calyx teeth (mm), leaves (cm), petiole (cm), leaflet teeth (mm) it is demonstrated by this study. Some morphological characters of Melilotus officinalis (L.) Desr. taxa measures for plant height, corolla, fruit by Davis (1965-1988) compliance mark, the differences between my racemic have been identified. Melilotus alba Desr. taxa measures for racem, flower, corolla by Davis (1965-1988) compliance mark, the differences between my plant height have been identified. To determine the general ecological characteristics of taxa, soil samples taken from 0-30 cm, measured soil organic matter (TOM), texture, pH, bulk density (BD), electrical conductivity (EC) and the content of CaCO3%. The characteristics of the soils pH, CaCO3 and BD levels have varied between taxa. In this case, the same types of plants growing environment indicates that the request is different.

A phylogenetic perspective on the influence of ecological attributes on selected species of Astragalus

ABSTRACT The use of phylogeny in ecology has gained attention due to its benefits in understanding biological diversity and adaptation processes. In this study, phylogenetic positions of 12 Astragalus taxa were evaluated by comparing with 419 Astragalus taxa sequences in a database. Additionally, the influence of ecological traits on morphology was assessed. Although the samples were grouped according to subgenera or sections they belong to, this division was not striking. The phylogenetic relationships of the nine endemic and three common Astragalus taxa based on nrDNA region sequences and morphological features as well as their interplay with the environment were examined. Furthermore, soil characteristics of the fields where each Astragalus taxon grows were determined. Analysis of the sequences revealed that the 12 taxa were grouped into three clades using the Bayesian Inference method. A cladogram of 431 Astragalus taxa showed that the samples were divided into ten major clades. Morphological traits were found to be correlated with soil properties, which could indicate adaptation to environmental conditions of these taxa.