Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 19 (2011) 797–810 The 2nd International Geography Symposium GEOMED2010 Vertical climate zones in Biga peninsula: The impact of climate change and air pollution on forests * M. Do÷an Kantarcı Istanbul University, Faculty of Forestry, Bahcekoy, Istanbul Abstract Biga Peninsula is situated in between Marmara Sea and Aegean Sea. The peninsula consists of the hilly and mountainous mass between Biga and Çan on North, Kaz Mountains on South, and Koca Çay Basin lying in between those two masses. The northern oriented slopes of the peninsula are under the influence of “Marmara climate”, which originates from Black Sea region and is cool and humid. The western part of the peninsula is cooler due to the northern winds passing through the Dardanelles. The slopes oriented towards Aegean Sea are under the influence of Mediterranean climate which is warm and humid (arid in summers). These distinct climate characteristics combined with the changes in altitude at various areas lead to unique vertical climate zones in Biga Peninsula. The composition of forests in Biga Peninsula reflects the features of vertical climate zones. While the northern forests show more variation; olive, Calabrian Pine (Pinus brutia) and Black Pine (Pinus nigra) dominate the southern species. Northern Biga Peninsula is under the direct impact of the air pollution by Istanbul and Marmara Region as well as countries situated on the north and west of Black Sea. Meanwhile, south of the peninsula is exposed to the pollution caused by the Soma thermal plant, and recently by the Çan thermal plant as well as the settlement areas (for heating purposes). Regardless of the source of the air pollution, the sulphur content on the needles of Calabrian Pines, black pines and fir trees (Abies equitrojani) were found to be above the toleration limit of chlorophyllous cells in the entirety of the peninsula. Such an impact results in premature defoliation of the old needles, diminished wood production and narrowing of the annual tree rings. As a result of the air pollution, increasing CO2 rate in the atmosphere has caused a tangible warming particularly increased during summer. Increased CO2 causes aridification. The data gathered from 4 meteorology stations within the vicinity of Biga Peninsula supports this notion and has been associated with a change in the limits of vertical climate zones. Upward migration of vertical climate zones ranges between 50 and 100 meters depending on the exposition and slope of the land and the season. While the industrialization in the areas surrounding the region dates back to late 19th century, it is not clear if there has been sufficient time for this migration to cause substantial impact on the growth and expansion characteristics of local plant species. Data from our previous work on animals such as “pine processionary caterpillar", on the other hand supports this hypothesis by a change in its breeding pattern on the Calabrian pine (Pinus brutia) zone instead of black pine (Pinus nigra) zone. This study aims to investigate the impact of the air pollution on needles of the coniferous trees in Biga Peninsula and the link to the migration of vertical climate zones. ©© 2011 PublishedPublished by by Elsevier Elsevier Ltd. Ltd. Selection Selection and/or and/or peer-review peer-review under responsibilityunder responsibility of Recep of Efe The and 2nd Munir International Ozturk Geography Symposium-Mediterranean Environment Keywords: Biga Peninsula, climate change, air pollution. forest 1. Introduction Vertical climate zones in Biga Peninsula are the result of the mountainous structure as well as to the varying effects of Marmara Sea in the north, and Aegean Sea in the south. Polluted air (SO΍ in particular) coming from Black Sea and Thrace results in acid burns on the needles and leaves of the forest trees [1]. Due to the destruction of chlorophyllose cells, wood production has been reduced, and contractions have occurred in the annual circles of the trees. Tree death in forests in Biga Peninsula; fire trees (Abies equitrojani), in particular, draws attention. Climatic changes have caused aridity in summer months, and reduction in downfalls in winter months. Throughout the aridification period, air pollution * Corresponding author. Tel.: 09-532-416-65-97; fax: +0-000-000-0000 . E-mail address: [email protected]. 1877–0428 © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of The 2nd International Geography Symposium- Mediterranean Environment doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.05.198 798 water from penetrating into the depths of soil. avoiding or evaporation; offlows, surface aloss by of water way of covers, snow tofaster leads melting Winter warming winter months when precipitation drops (especially in December and January) (Tables 2, 3, 4, 5, and Figures 2, 3, 4, 5). 5). 2,3,4, Figures 5, and 3, 4, 2, (Tables and January) December in (especially drops precipitation when months winter also Itis no increase evapo-transpiration. temperatures Rising 0.7–1.6°C. of rate a by significant is period aridification and warming actual the of months summer the in temperatures in increase measurements, these to According down. shut been have which of most period, pre-1970 the from 30 stations 2. been higher contributing the observed increase between 1994 and 2006 [6,7,8] [6,7,8] 2006 1994and between increase observed the contributing higher been have could –1993 1982 of period the throughout warming eruptions, volcanic these of absence the in that speculated be Itcan [10,11,13,14]. of stations meteorological the measurements Turkish can by be assessed exposure This 1991). year the in Pinatubo and Unzen 1986,and year the in 1982,Augustino year the in Delruiz Nevada and Chikon (El 5volcanoes of eruption the from stratosphere the to sprayed gases and ashes the dueto 1°C by reduced been has Earth ofthe temperature atmospheric impact, the volcanoes’ During 1994–2006. of Period Warming Main (3) 1993, and Transi (1) sub-periods: three into divided be should 2006, and 1970 between aridification and warming of a time encompasses period, which second the Accordingly, events. impacting that suggests changes the climate of evaluation closer such, as be can made distinction this While 2006. 1970and between is period second the 2)and Figure & 1.2 1.1/ (Tables soil features into consideration, verti the changes in altitude at various areas lead to unique vertical climate zones in Biga Peninsula. By taking the bedrock and differ and exposure to due elevation developed have changes distan ashort at m to1767 up rising elevation an with two (Figure those in Basinmasses lying KocaÇay between and 3. M. Dog Land Structure And Vertical Climate In BigaZones Peninsula Climate Features And Change Process In Biga Peninsula Peninsula Biga In Process Change And Features Climate Biga Peninsula consists of the hilly and mountainous mass between Biga and Çan on North, Kaz Mountains on South, Actual warming period in Biga Peninsula can be monitored from 4 existing meteorological stations out of more than than of more out stations meteorological 4existing from be can monitored Peninsula Biga in period warming Actual Climate features of Biga Peninsula can be studied in two se two in bestudied can Peninsula Biga of features Climate ŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ ;ŬŵͿ ůƚŝƚƵĚĞ;ŵͿ ϭϬϬϬ ϭϭϬϬ ϭϮϬϬ ϭϯϬϬ ϭϰϬϬ ϭϱϬϬ ϭϲϬϬ ϭϳϬϬ ϭϴϬϬ ϭϬϬ ϮϬϬ ϯϬϬ ϰϬϬ ϱϬϬ ϲϬϬ ϳϬϬ ϴϬϬ ϵϬϬ Figure Figure 1. Cross section of Biga Peninsula Ϭ Ϭ GG KůĞĂ Ϊ ϱ Ÿ ĞƵƌŽƉĂĞĂ ȋ Ȍ Ϊ ϭϮ oof.ȋGȌ Ÿ G ϭϴ ͲȂ ͶͲͲ ϮϬ ʹͷͲȂ ͳ͹ͷͲ Ǧ Ϯϱ Gf Ǥ Ǧ B ε ͺͲͲǡ ø Ǥ Ϯϳ MOUNTAINS GA δ ͺͲͲ Ϯϴ identi been couldcal climate zones have ˘ an Kantarc ϯϬ . ǡ ǡ ǡ ϯϯ ϯϱ DĂƌŵĂƌĂĞŶŝnjŝͲĂďĂŒ͘ͲŐĞĞŶŝnjŝ<ĞƐŝƚŝ ĂŶͲLJďĞŬŒ͘Ͳ,ĂǀƌĂŶ<ĞƐŝƚŝ ƌŽƐƐƐĞĐƚŝŽŶDZDZ^ͲDKhEd/EͲ'^ ƌŽƐƐƐĞĐƚŝŽŶEʹ z<DKhEd/Eʹ ,sZE ı / Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences19(2011)797–810 SocialandBehavioral /Procedia ϯϳ . Ǥ Ÿ . ϰϰ BASIN RIVER KOCA .G ǡ ϰϳ 450 – 500 m ϱϭ fG Seas. climatic Significant Aegean Marmara and ce between ences. These distinct climate These distinct combined characteristics ences. with teworthy that, temperatures continue to rise even during the tion Period of 1970 – 1981, (2) Volcanoes Period of 1982 – – 1982 of Period Volcanoes (2) 1981, – 1970 of Period tion ϱϮ global various to arerelated that periods areseveral there ǡ Ǥ 1970 year the before period is First time. in periods parate 1). Biga Peninsula is a steep-sloped mountainous region, region, mountainous asteep-sloped is Peninsula Biga 1). ϱϱ ͺͲͲǦͳ͸ͷͲ ȋǦȌ ϱϴ ;G;.ǤͻͳͲ ϲϬ ϲϮ ǤͳͲͳͲ fied as different ecologic units [2,3,4] units ecologic different as fied ϲϱ MOUNTAINS KAZ ϳϬ . ǤͳͲ͸Ͳ ϳϮ ϳϯ o ǤͳͶ͵Ͷ ϳϴ Ǥͳʹͻͺ Ǥ; ϴϮ Ǥͳ͹͸͹ ϴϰ . G ϴϳ Ÿ ϵϭ G Ÿ ǦGG ϵϱ ǤͲȂ ͵ͷͲ ǤͳͺͲͷ ϭϬϱ Ÿ ͲȂ ͹ͲͲ ϭϬϴ GG ͸ͷͲȂ ͳ͹ͷͲ M. Dog˘an Kantarcı / Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 19 (2011) 797–810 799 Table 1. Mean temperature and precipitation measurements during 1929-70 period at meteorological stations in Biga Peninsula and periphery (Kantarcı, M. 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