Phytosociological and ecological structure of Mediterranean enclaves along the stream valleys in inner parts of black sea region

Abstract

In this study, phytosociological structure of Mediterranean enclaves which occured along the stream valleys in inner parts of Black sea region was investigated. Pinus brutia var brutia and Quercus coccifera are the most widespread communities in the study area. Pinus pinea, Arbutus andrachne, Arbutus unedo, Fontanesia philliraeoides subsp. philliraeoides and Olea europaea L. var sylvestris have a restricted distribution in inner parts of Black sea region as compared to P brutia and Q. coccifera. The following associations were described in the study area. Siderito dichotomae-Quercetum cocciferae, Spiraeo crenatae-Oleetum sylvestris ass. nov, Cotino coggyreae-Arbutetum andrachnes, Buxo sempervirenti-Arbutetum unedonis ass, nov, Paliuro spinae-christi-Fontanesietum philliraeoidis, Querco infectoriae-Pinetum brutiae and Crucianello ponticae-Pinetum pinae. The highest species diversity was found in Crucienello ponticae-Pinetum pinae, while the lowest species diversity was found in Spiraeo crenatae-Oleetum sylvestris. Evenness values were much similar to each other among all of the associations. According to CA Paliurus spinae-christi-Fontanesietum philtiraeoidis, Spiraeo crenatae-Oleetum sylvestris and Crucienello ponticae-Pinetum pinae occured in the negative zone. The other four associations occured in the positive zone.