PLANT DIVERSITY IN THE TURKISH BLACK SEA REGION AND STRATEGIES FOR ITS CONSERVATION

摘要

"Biological Diversity"; a common heritage of our planet earth; is facing a threat mainly in the industrialised regions, one of which is the Black Sea. Turkey has a coastline of over 1,500 km in this region.lt is geographically known as North Anatolia and is divided into the western (from Edirne to Sinop), central (from Sinop to UEnye) and eastern (from UEnye to Georgian border) parts. Phytogeographically we include this part in the Euro-Siberian region. From the point view of plant diversity it is considered a treasure. The area is dominated by Euro-Siberian elements and some Mediterranean enclaves. The Alpine and sub-alpine zones abound in Rhododendron spp., Vaccinium myrtillus, Festuca spp., and others. The forest zone is dominated by Picea orientalis, Abies spp., Fagus orientalis, Castanea satvia and Alnus glutinosa, In the coastal zone we come across many halophytes and psammophytes. The lakes in this region are rich in vegetation and serve as a stopover for migratory birds. Endemics, too are well represented in the Euro-Siberian flora. There number is said to be higher as compared to the neighbouring Black Sea countries. However, landslides, forest clearing, grazing by cattle herds, fire, pesticides, industrial activities and seasonal settlements all result in the loss of genetic pools. Nomadic activities are steadily increasing, but in the meantime three national parks, three nature protection areas and 15 species- protection sites have been created in an on-going in-situ conservation programme. There is a greater need for protection in order to achieve sustainable development. For this purpose consideration should be given to quantity, quality and time factors in the conservation strategy. Interrelationships between anthropo-zoogenic factors and vegetation dynamics need to be closely followed to protect the primary producers in the chain. All these factors will be elucidated here in detail with examples from the western, central and eastern parts of Turkish Black Sea region.