Vegetation ecology of the Princes' Islands, Istanbul-Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to evaluate phytoecological and phytosociological characteristics of the vegetation distributed in Princes' Islands (Istanbul/Turkey). Field studies were carried out during 20022010 following the classical Braun-Blanquet method. The data obtained from the research area on characteristics of two associations belonging to maquis vegetation was analyzed. One of these associations was new and its detailed description, typification and syntaxonomy are mentioned. The associations identified were: Arbuto unedonis - Phillyretum latifoliae ass. nova and Phillyreo latifoliae-Pinetum brutiae. The physical and chemical characteristics of soil like saturation (%), pH, P2O, (kg dal, K2O (kg da(-1)), CaCO2(%), total salt (%) and organic matter (%) are presented as well. Relationship between vegetation, ecological characteristics and their protection against biotic pressures were discussed together with phytosociological and phytoecological features of the associations and was compared with similar other studies.