Study of Orchids Growing in The Niğde City and Their Habitat Qualities and Threat Factors

Abstract

Niğde city is located at the intersection of Iranian-Turanian and Mediterranean phytogeographical areas and is located within B5 and C5 grids according to Davis' (1965) Grid system. This study was carried out in Altınhisar (6 towns, 2 villages), Bor (5 towns, 19 villages), Çamardı (2 towns, 18 villages), Çiftlik (4 towns, 9 villages), And Ulukışla (4 towns, 34 villages) within the boundaries of Niğde which is in the specified grids. Niğde and its surroundings are composed of rural areas, having very few forest areas, and due to the destruction caused by various reasons, many plant species are destroyed and face the danger of extinction. One of these plant species is the orchid species. In the research, primarily the types of orchids that have been recorded in the research area within the literature studies have been determined. Orchid species were examined on site, during the field works conducted in March-July 2015-2016. Areas of orchid species were identified in the study and was assessed according to Braun Blanquet cover abundance scale method (1964). In the field studies, various data about the habitat of the species (height, view, sunlight condition, plant species which found together) were collected . Epipactis helleborine, E. Persica, Orchis stevenii, Dactylorhiza saccifera species stated as endemic in Niğde according to TÜBİVES data and E. helleborine have been found in the area of the study. As a result of the field studies in general, orchid species were found only in Çamardı (Pınarbaşı, Çukurbağ, Demirkazık villages) and Ulukışla (Maden Village) districts. Harvesting orchids in the villages of Pınarbaşı and Çukurbağ still continues. As a result of the research, 14 orchid species belonging to the 7 genus which are; Anacamptis laxiflora, Cephalanthera damasonium, Dactylorhiza romana, Epipactis helleborine, E.purpurata, Ophrys İsaura, O. reinholdii, Orchis mascula, O.anatolica, O.purpurea, O. Boryi, O.palustris, ve Serapias vomeracea were determined to live in the area. Morphological information about each species has been given; some suggestions have been made to provide effective protection according to the existing area usage in the habitats. It has been mentioned that harvesting of orchids around Çamardı still continues and the Directorate of Provincial Food Agriculture and Livestock’s work on the orchid cultivation has been mentioned.