Land Degradation and Halophytic Plant Diversity of Milleyha Wetland Ecosystem (Samandağ-Hatay), Turkey
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Pak. J. Bot., 44: 37-50, Special Issue May 2012. LAND DEGRADATION AND HALOPHYTIC PLANT DIVERSITY OF MILLEYHA WETLAND ECOSYSTEM (SAMANDAĞ-HATAY), TURKEY VOLKAN ALTAY1 AND MUNİR OZTURK2,* 1Mustafa Kemal University, Science & Arts Faculty, Biology Dept., Hatay-Turkey 2Ege University, Science Faculty, Botany Dept., Izmir-Turkey *Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Investigations were undertaken during 2010-2011 to study effect of human induced land degradation on structure of some halophytic plant communities. Over all 183 taxa of vascular plant were recorded. Out of these 76 were of typical halophytes. The dominant plant taxa were; Phragmites australis, Halimione portulacoides and Bolboschoenus maritimus. The threatened categories of these taxa were identified from the Red Data Book of Turkey together with their distribution. The impact of degradation on the habitats due to land use for agriculture, organic and inorganic waste disposal and housing for tourisitc purposes were identified and conservation measures were outlined in this study. Introduction (2000), Ozturk & Guvensen (2002), Kavgacı (2007), Sakcali et al., (2009) and Ozturk et al., (1994, 1995, Aquatic ecosystems are the most productive 1996, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011a). ecosystems and provide a resource of food and raw Some work has been done on the floristics, ecology materials with a very high economical value to the and biotope mapping of the Milleyha (Samandag-Hatay) national and regional economy (Mitsch & Gosselink, aquatic ecosystem (Kayikci, 2006; Gumusboga, 2006; 2000; Zahoor et al., 2012). They are important for Fidan, 2006), however no work has been undertaken on economical activities such as; fishery, transportation, the halophytes of this area. In view of this present study wildlife, hunting, recreation, bird-watching, surfing, was undertaken to present the floristic account and camping besides providing a natural equilibrium ecological features of halophytes distributed in this area. (Gallego-Fernandes, 1999; Korkmaz & Gurbuz, 2008). A Negative effects of anthropogenic activities in the area large number of these were drained in Turkey up to were recorded and precautions to be taken discussed. 1960’s, because these were regarded as worthless and unnecessary. After mid 1960’s their functionality and Materials and Methods importance was realized and it was understood that these areas are important for the local cultures and drainage was Study area: Milleyha aquatic ecosystem lies within the prohibited in Turkey (Korkmaz, 2008). These fragile borders of Asi Delta in East Mediterranean Region. It is ecosystems include different biotopes like; sand-dune, 16 km long and 500-600 m wide including second largest marshes, lakes and rivers. Much work has been carried sand beache in Turkey situated alongside the Samandağ out on the floristic, phytosociology and pollution aspects coastline in Hatay province. The study area was the of these ecosystems in different regions of Turkey notable Milleyha wetland that covers approximately 100 hectar among these being; Uslu (1977), Ozturk & Secmen (Fig. 1). The area experiences a typical Mediterranean (1986), Kumerloeve (1988), Gehu and Uslu (1989), Uslu climate, annual average temperature being 19oC and and Gehu (1990), Kilinc & Ozen (1990), Secmen & average annual rainfall about 895.0 mm, most of which Leblebici (1991, 1996, 1997), Yucel et al., (1995), Karaer falls in winter months (Table 1). et al., (1997), Kilinc & Ozdemir (1998), Cetin et al., Table 1. Precipitation and temperature values of the study area (Kayikci, 2006). Months 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Yearly Temperature (oC) 9.9 11.0 13.9 17.6 21.1 24.5 27.1 27.8 26.2 21.7 15.7 11.3 19.0 Precipitation (mm) 137.9 118.6 107.9 63.7 43.2 14.5 7.6 7.0 45.0 101.0 110.4 138.2 895.0 The area and its environs belong to the upper using Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands (Davis, cretaceous ophiolites and miocene formation. The 1965-1985; Davis et al., 1988; Güner et al., 2000). The youngest units are alluviums, slope debris, and debris plants distributed on saline habitats were listed, and their cones from quaternary period (Erol, 1963; Kuscu & life forms given according to Raunkiaer (1934). The Tonbul, 2005). Geomorphologically Milleyha aquatic categories and criteria of rare and endangered species were ecosystem together with the Asi River Delta possess the recorded according to Ekim et al., (2000), Yurdakulol lowest elevations from its surrounding. The altitude (2008) and Ozturk et al., (2011 b). Other ecological varies from sea level to 10 meter (Korkmaz et al., 2010). features of halophytes feature were recorded following the This study was conducted during 2010-2011. The data published by Ozturk et al., (2006, 2008, 2011 b), vascular plants collected from the area were identified Guvensen et al., (2006) and Gucel et al., (2009). 38 VOLKAN ALTAY & MUNİR OZTURK Fig. 1. A map showing location of the study area. LAND DEGRADATION AND HALOPHYTIC PLANT DIVERSITY OF MILLEYHA WETLAND ECOSYSTEM 39 Results plains. These areas are the true habitats for halophytic plant communities (Breckle, 1986). Nearly 4.3 million ha of agricultural land in The number of halophytic taxa distributed in the Turkey are degraded, out of which 1.5 million ha are world lies around 3000 (Guvensen et al., 2006). Nearly arid and 2.8 million ha saline-alkaline.The saline areas 700 species are distributed in the Mediterranean climatic in Turkey are smaller in size than in neighboring zone (Choukr-Allah, 1991; Ozturk & Guvensen, 2002; countries like Iran (27,085,000 ha) and Iraq (6,726,000 Ozturk et al., 2011b). Our study area lies in the ha), but larger than in Syria (532,000 ha) and Bulgaria Mediterranean climatic zone. Very few papers have been (25,000 ha) (Guvensen et al., 2006). The area of published on the halophytes from this area, notable degraded soils in the Mediterranean region of Turkey among them being Gehu and Uslu (1989), Yurdakulol and lies around 635.197 ha and saline soils are 209,510 ha. Ercoskun (1990), Guvensen et al., (2006), Ozturk et al., Some of the factors responsible for the salinity- (2006, 2008). alkalinity problems are accumulation of salts in plains A total of 183 taxa (49 monocotyledons and 134 due to heavy rains, a long standing high water table, dicotyledons) belonging to 48 families and 136 genera and the impact of sea water on the coastal alluvial were identified from the area. These are given in Table 2. Table 2. The diversity of vascular plant taxa in the Milleyha wetland area. No. Family Taxa 1. Amaranthaceae Amaranthus retroflexus L. 2. Amaryllıdaceae Narcissus tazetta L. ssp. tazetta 3. Pancratium maritimum L. 4. Apıaceae Crithmum maritimum L. 5. Eryngium maritimum L. 6. Falcaria vulgaris Bernh. 7. Scandix pecten-veneris L. 8. Torilis nodosa (L.) Gaertner 9. Apocynaceae Nerium oleander L. 10. Araceae Arisarum vulgare Targ.-Tozz. ssp. vulgare 11. Arum dioscoridis Sm. 12. Asteraceae Anthemis cotula L. 13. Anthemis palestina Reuter 14. Calendula arvensis L. 15. Cichorium intybus L. 16. Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist 17. Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist 18. Crepis foetida L. ssp. rhoeadifolia (Bieb.) Celak. 19. Crepis sancta (L.) Babcock 20. Echinops viscosus DC. ssp. bithnicus (Boiss.) Rech. 21. Filago pyramidata L. 22. Inula crithmoides L. 23. Inula viscosa (L.) Aiton 24. Leucanthemum myconis (L.) Giraud 25. Otanhus maritimus (L.) Hoffmans et Link. 26. Reichardia picroides (L.) Roth 27. Scolymus hispanicus L. 28. Senecio vernalis Waldst. et Kit. 29. Tragopogon longirostris Bisch. ex Schultz Bip. var. longirostris 30. Urospermum picroides (L.) F. W. Schmidt 31. Xanthium strumarium L. ssp. cavanillesii (Schouw) D. Löve et P. Dansereau 32. Boragınaceae Anchusa aggregata Lehm. 33. Echium angustifolium Miller 34. Echium glomeratum Poiret 35. Heliotropium hirsutissimum Grauer 40 VOLKAN ALTAY & MUNİR OZTURK Table 2. (Cont’d.). 36. Nonea obtusifolia (Willd.) DC. 37. Brassıcaceae Cakile maritima Scop. 38. Cardaria draba (L.) Desv. ssp. draba 39. Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) DC. 40. Maresia nana (DC.) Batt. 41. Raphanus raphanistrum L. 42. Sinapis alba L. 43. Cactaceae Opuntia ficus-indicata (L.) Miller 44. Campanulaceae Legousia falcata (Ten.) Fritsch 45. Caryophyllaceae Agrostemma githago L. 46. Polycarpon tetraphyllum (L.) L. 47. Silene aegyptiaca (L.) L. fil. ssp. aegyptiaca 48. Silene colorata Poiret. 49. Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke. var. vulgaris 50. Spergularia marina (L.) Gris. 51. Chenopodıaceae Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) K.Koch 52. Halimione portulacoides (L.) Aellen 53. Salicornia palasiana Yaprak & Yurdakulol ssp. palasiana 54. Salsola kali L. 55. Salsola soda L. 56. Cucurbıtaceae Ecbalium elaterium (L.) A. Rich. 57. Cuscutaceae Cuscuta campestris Yuncker 58. Convolvulaceae Convolvulus arvensis L. 59. Cressa cretica L. 60. Ipomoea stolonifera (Cry.) J. F. Gmelin 61. Cyperaceae Bolboschoenus maritimus (L.) Palla var. maritimus 62. Carex divisa Hudson 63. Cyperus capitatus Vandelli 64. Cyperus rotundus L. 65. Schoenus nigricans L. 66. Euphorbıaceae Euphorbia falcata L. ssp. falcata 67. Euphorbia helioscopia L. 68. Euphorbia paralias L. 69. Euphorbia peplis L. 70. Euphorbia peplus L. var. minima DC. 71. Euphorbia terracina L. 72. Mercularis annua L. 73. Fabaceae Acacia karroo Hayne 74. Alhagi mannifera Desv. 75. Glycyrrhiza echinata L. 76. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. var. glandulifera (Waldst. et Kit.) Boiss. 77. Hymenocarpus circinnatus (L.) Savi. 78. Lathyrus annuus L. 79. Lathyrus aphaca L. var. modestus P.H. Davis 80. Lathyrus gorgoni Parl. var. gorgoni 81. Lotus corniculatus L. var. tenuifolius L. 82. Medicago intertexta (L.) Miller. var. ciliaris (L.) Heyn 83. Medicago littoralis Rohde ex Lois. var. littoralis 84. Medicago marina L. LAND DEGRADATION AND HALOPHYTIC PLANT DIVERSITY OF MILLEYHA WETLAND ECOSYSTEM 41 Table 2. (Cont’d.). 85. Melilotus alba Desr. 86. Melilotus indica (L.) All. 87. Melilotus messanensis (L.) All. 88. Onobrychis caput-galli (L.) Lam. 89. Ononis mitissima L. 90. Scorpiurus muricatus L. var. subvillosus (L.) Fiori 91. Trifolium angustifolium L. var. intermedium (Guss) Gib. et Belli. 92. Trifolium campestre Schreb.