Biodiversity in the Lakes Region (Türkiye) and its Agricultural Importance

Abstract

Flora of Lakes region has not been fully worked out. Especially Burdur and Denizli have not been fully reflected in the literature since they have been studied less than our other vilayets. According to the results of the study; 406 (27%) in Isparta; 370 (22 %) in Burdur; 400 (18 %) in Denizli; 429 (29%) in Konya and 468 (32%) in Antalya were understood to be natural distribution of endemic plant taxa. The number of endemic plant taxa belonging to 53 families is 950. 530 taxa of them spread show in the region more than one. It is estimated that for each province will be added at least 15% more endemic taxa to this number. Vertical distributions of the endemic taxa: 78 taxa (8%) between 0-500 m; 31 taxa (3%) between 500-1000 m; 91 taxa (10%) between 1000-1500 m; 59 taxa (6%) between 1500-2000 m; 29 taxa (3%) between 2000 and 2500 m; 10 taxa (1%) with 2500 m upper and 645 taxa (69%) with variable altitudes. Flowering months of taxa: 1-3: 5 taxa (1%); 3-6: 333 taxa (36%); 6-9: 516 taxa (55%); 9-12: 12 taxa (2%) and unknown 44 taxa (5%). Gymnosperms (open seeded) and ferns were identified as 4 taxa (1 %). The IUCN threat categories of the relevant taxa are: LR (cd) 127 taxa (13%); LR (nt) 78 taxa (8%); LR (lc) 288 taxa (30%); VU 176 taxa (19%); CR 41 taxa (4%); DD 16 taxa (2%); EN 168 taxa (18%) and 56 non-endangered taxa (6%). Local endemics that have economic importance in the region are Origanum minutiflorum, Sideritis erythrantha, Ballota cristata, Dorystoechas hastata, Rosa dumalis subsp. boissieri var. antalyensis, Muscari bourgaei, Orchis anatolica, Liquidambar orientalis, Abies cilicica subsp. isaurica. Attention should be paid to the protection-using balance of these taxa. Sectoral stakeholders should be made more conscious. It should be sought the way to receive culture the taxa. Approximately 120 vascular plants of the Lakes Region are candidate to be the industrial purposing. These important plants in the region are as follows; Poppy (Papaver somniferum), Caper (Capparis spp.), Centaury (Hypericum spp.), Rose/ rosehip (Rosa damascena, R. canina, R. dumalis, R. alba, R. semperflorens, R. versicolor, R. borboniana, R. centifolia, R. gallica), Lavander (Lavandula stoechas, L. angustifolia and L. intermedia), Sütçüler oregano (Origanum minutiflorum), Dedegül tea/ Kafaotu (Cyclotrichum origanifolium), Special-mint (Calamintha nepeta), Melissa / Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), Baby's-breath(Gypsophila arrostii var. nebulosa), Sahleb (Orchis, Ophyris and Dactylorrhiza spp.) Blackberry (Rubus spp.), Terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus), Carnation (Dianthus spp.), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Hibiscus (Alcea and Althaea spp.), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Love-in-a-mist (Nigella sativa, N. damascena), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Mint (Mentha spp.), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Thyme (Thymus, Origanum, Corydothymus etc.) Linden (Tilia spp.), Poplar (Populus spp.), Willow (Salix spp.), Fıstıkçamı/ Pine (Pinus pinea), Pumpkin/ Gourd (Cucurbita, Laganeria and Luffa spp.) etc.