PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF IHLARA SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION ZONE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to detect the syntaxa in the Ihlara valley vegetation which have not been previously phytosociologically assessed. Ihlara Valley is geographically located in Central Anatolia and in the Irano-Turanian phytogeographical regions. The study area is located within the B5 square based on the Grid System (Davis et al. 1965-1985). According to the Braun-Blanquet (1932) method, there are three plant associations belonging to three different vegetation types in the region; Pistacio terebinthi - Celtidetum tournefortii (shrub vegetation), Astragaletum karamasici - microcephali (tragacanth steppe vegetation), and Rubo sanctodis - Salicetum albae (riparian vegetation). These three syntaxa are all new to the world of science.