Research Information System
ULUSLARARASI JEOMORFOLOJİ SEMPOZYUMU 2019_INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON GEOMORPHOLOGY 2019, Ankara, Turkey, 10 - 12 October 2019, pp.306-318
Parameters such as elevation, slope, aspect are highly effective on the floristic composition, vegetation cover ratio and distribution of plant communities. Mountainous areas, valleys, and depressions are different plant habitats based on morphologic character.
The effect of the aspect on the vegetation depends on the difference of insolation and precipitation amount of slopes. The effect of the slope on the vegetation is indirect. Soil and water holding becomes more difficult as the slope increases. The soil layer is necessary for plants to grow and develop. In other cases, the development of plants is limited in areas where the soil is eroded to bedrock. The solar radiation received by the slopes is also closely related to the amount of energy, direction, and slope. This difference, which is more pronounced in winter, thus creates a difference in species and density in vegetation. Many geomorphological differences such as slopes open to moisture-carrying winds and slopes that are not affected by these winds, sea or landward slopes, concave or convex slopes, valley shapes, and directions, flat or sloping topography are highly effective in direct climate, soil and vegetation change.
In the research area which involves part of Central Taurus Mountains, the main tree species which are distributed in different elevations, slopes with varying slope, and lands with different viewing directions were examined. As a result of the research, the distribution map of the tree species dominant in the area was analyzed according to certain slope intervals, viewing characteristics, concave and convex slope environments. Pinus brutia and Cedrus libani, were found to be more intense on the south-facing slopes of the mountains. Pinus brutia reaches a maximum height of 1500 m from sea level and shows its most intense spread around 500 m. Resistant to cold and semi-shade, Pinus nigra is rarely seen in populations dominated by red pine at altitudes above 500 m and increases its density and becoming dominant around 1500 meters. Abies cilicica, especially from 1000 m to the height of 2000 m and concentrated to climb, after 1500 m to replace the Cedrus libani communities. From this elevation, the density of cedar trees is observed with the Abies cilicica individuals decreasing to the tree line (2200 meters).
Key words: plant distribution, slope, inclination, aspect, elevation.