Halophyte plant diversity in the Irano-Turanian phytogeographical region of Turkey

Abstract

Irano-Turanian phytogeographical region includes the central, east and southeast Anatolian geographical divisions of Turkey. The region is characterized by a continental type of climate with very cold winters and hot summers. Precipitation in the form of a heavy snowfall is seen usually in winter and rains are common in spring and autumn. However, the southeast experiences a steppe climate with very hot summers, severe aridity and evaporation. The area of saline and degraded soils in the region is increasing. The factors responsible for this are over-irrigation practices, and salt accumulation due to evaporation. In the region, 137 halophytic taxa belonging to 88 genera and 34 families are found. The genera Salsola, Chenopodium, Limonium, Alhagi and Allium include the highest number of taxa. Phytogeographically 80.29% of these taxa are Irano-Turanian and 13.14% are common. The number of endemic taxa is around 42. For a management of the saline-alkaline habitats sound information on plant diversity, vegetation cover, habitat types, and locations of species communities is needed, together with land cover maps, to follow the habitat deterioration and its causes. The present study will thus help in the determination of site quality.