Turkish Journal of Forestry (Mar 2021)
Forest of Sulakyurt Relict Valonia Oak (Quercus ithaburensis Decne subsp. macrolepis (Kotschy) Hedge & Yalt.), threats and conservating suggestions
Abstract
Valonia oak Quercus ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis (Kotschy) Hedge & Yalt. spreads naturally in the Mediterranean coasts starting from Italy to Israel. In Turkey, this species constitutes forests in the Aegean and the Mediterranean regions. The only exception to the spread of valonia oak in the world is Turkey’s Kırıkkale Karagüney Mountains where the species constitutes forests in three different areas, and an expansive spread in a large agricultural area. This area, 300 km away from the species’ main distribution area, a most interior terrain in the world, and a most northeast spread, with a distinct climatic region, make the spread of the species controversial. This study aims to determine the distribution areas of the valonia oak across the Karagüney Mountains, to the analysis analyze the natural factors that affect its spread in the area, to determine the threats on the species, and to present solutions. For this purpose, field research was conducted between March 2018 and September 2020, the distribution maps of the valonia oak were created, analysis was carried out with the help of GIS, and threats were identified against the species. The research reveals that the valonia oak is distributed over approximately 7500 hectares across Karagüney Mountains. Within this area, a valonia oak forest, covering approximately 1910 hectares in Sulakyurt district,, apart from its two small stands in Ulaş and Meşeyayla Villages that have already been scientifically studied, may be considered quite large even for its natural spread areas. The area where the forest is located consists of brown and red forest soils dominated by the volcanic basalt bedrock. In agricultural areas, it is predominantly in alluvial areas. APM, where generally spreads between 700-1231 meters, is located at the beginning of the semi-humid region between 1000-1200 meters as a forest. Today, positive discrimination by the villagers has disappeared with the decrease in the value of especially the seeds of APM in economic terms.Therefore, young individuals of the species no longer exist in agricultural areas. As for the old oak trees, they are faced with legal or illegal cutting. Nevertheless, grazing, afforestation with alien species, seed collection, and garbage dumps can be listed as other threats. For the conservation of the species, making inventories in agricultural and forestry areas, determining special protection statuses, and conducting species-specific management plans are essential, leading to management both in the forest and agricultural areas.
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