Ankara Province Research Articles

Enforcement of forest regulations on selling forestlands that have lost their forest character in Türkiye: a study of Kızılcahamam district in Ankara province

Enforcement of forest regulations on selling forestlands that have lost their forest character in Türkiye: a study of Kızılcahamam district in Ankara province

Physicochemical, Functional, Sensory, and Rheological Properties of Traditional Tarhanas from the Central Anatolian Region

Tarhana, produced in Anatolia using a variety of production techniques, is a traditional fermented product made from a mixture of yogurt, wheat flour, vegetables, and spices. Tarhana, with its high nutritional value, makes a positive contribution to human nutrition in terms of health. In this study, the chemical (moisture, ash, protein, fat, titratable acidity, salt, aw, total sugar), functional (total phenolic content, total antioxidant capacity, water and fat holding capacity), viscosity and sensory properties of tarhana produced in Aksaray, Ankara, Eskişehir, Kayseri, Konya, Nevşehir and Sivas provinces of Central Anatolia region were determined. The moisture contents of the tarhana samples were found to be 17.36-7.52%, protein contents 12.62-8.88%, ash contents 7.4-3.66%, fat contents 4.23-0.81%, titratable acidity values 21.5-7.5%, pH values 5.4-4.04. The highest viscosity value was found in Sivas Tarhana with 1721 cp. Kayseri and Konya tarhanas had the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. In terms of sensory properties, the most admired tarhana was the tarhana from Aksaray province, and the least admired tarhana was the tarhana from Ankara province. In conclusion, when we compared the tarhana commonly consumed as soup in the Central Anatolian region, it was found that the physical and chemical properties, as well as the taste preferences, varied regionally.

The Effect of Irrigation on Crop Yield Change in Some Cereals in Drought Conditions Determined Using SPI and PNI: Ankara Province Example

In this study, Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Percent of Normal Index (PNI) values were found in order to determine the drought conditions between 2012-2020 in Ankara province. Drought severity interpretations were made according to the index values obtained and these values were evaluated together with some grain yields grown in the region. Separate regression analysis was performed between the different drought index values obtained within the scope of the study and the irrigated and dry agricultural yield values of wheat, barley and triticale. According to the index values calculated between 2012 and 2020 according to the SPI method, drought conditions are generally close to normal in the region. According to the PNI values, it was determined that 2013 had mildly dry conditions and other years had near-normal drought conditions. According to both indices, a drought close to normal was observed during the research period. In the regression analysis made according to wheat, barley and triticale yields, the highest linearity was obtained in barley, and values close to barley were found in triticale. Wheat is the cereal with the lowest linearity. The regression coefficients obtained as 0.4294 for barley, 0.3331 for triticale, and 0.0502 for wheat were found to be 0.0584 for SPI and 0.0013 for PNI. According to the results obtained, it can be said that statistically linearity is in barley and triticale. In average yields, an increase of 47% in wheat, 55% in barley and 34% in triticale was observed with irrigation. In order to ensure sustainable grain cultivation in drought conditions, it is recommended to expand modern irrigation practices in coordination with drought analysis studies and to increase scientific studies on this subject.

Macrofungi Determined in Aluçdağı Nature Park (Çamlıdere, Ankara) and its Close Environs

The study is based on the macrofungi samples collected from Aluçdağı Nature Park and its environs between 2021 and 2024. As a result of field and laboratory studies, 124 macrofungi species belonging to 2 divisions, 4 classes, 15 orders, 50 families and 86 genera were determined. All of the determined species are new for the region, and 68 are new for Ankara province. The list of the species is presented together with their localities, habitats or substrates, collection dates and voucher numbers.

Time Series Analysis of Housing Demand: A Forecasting Model for Ankara, Turkey

The property boom in Ankara surrounded by urban arrangements, calls for complicated forecasting approaches so that stakeholders can benefit from logical decision-making. The researchers apply up-to-date time series analysis methodology to forecast the housing demand in the area. It implicates the historical sales of housing and economic indicators combined with demographic factors are the sources that develop a comprehensive model of forecasting which allows to explore and track the intrinsic dynamics of the housing market. The methodology, in turn, is the application of cutting-edge statistical models and machine learning algorithms in the process of capturing the complex trend that is explicit in the time series data. In terms of our approach, we will include seasonality as well as trend components as well as those external factors, which affect the level of houses' demands. The study also analyzes the outcomes caused by economic shocks, public policies, and urban planning on housing market equilibrium. The study carried out demand forecasting concerning the sale of houses in Turkey which is supported by the data. The study is based on TURKSTAT numbers on the number of houses sold within the year 2021 (S.O.D) by Turkish provinces that cover Ankara province where the data is retrieved from. Considering the sales of houses in Ankara from 2014-2018 as a basis, this study intends to find a numerical forecasting model that is most suited to the observed dataset and thus, determine the number of houses sold in Ankara in the year 2019 using this particular method. Output from time series analysis provides the developers and investors with significant information by the way of anticipating market fluctuations, improving their investment strategies, and choosing the right policies according to the markets' needs. Moreover, an accurate model needs to be analyzed through serious validation techniques to identify its authenticity in its real-life examples. This research is, at the same time, an attempt to make progress in the field of demand forecasting in the real estate market as well as an attempt to provide stakeholders working in Ankara Province with a comprehensive guide while moving through a changing housing market. The utilization of technology and a careful investigation of relevant factors lends this study credibility as well as makes it a necessary literary component for those pursuing a deeper comprehension of housing demand in the region.

Ex-Situ conservation practices for some endangered plants in Ankara, Türkiye

Within the scope of this study, activities were carried out to ensure ex-situ conservation of 12 taxa, distributed Ayaş, Beypazarı and Nallıhan districts in Ankara province, in the collection garden established by the National Botanical Garden of Türkiye and to raise awareness. With this study, which includes a part of the project supported by the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies with the number TAGEM/BBAD/B/20/A7/P9/1820, the habitat characteristics of 12 taxa namely Achillea ketenoglui, Aethionema dumanii, Aethionema turcica, Astragalus densifolius subsp. ayashensis, Astragalus beypazaricus, Astragalus yildirimlii, Asyneuma linifolium subsp. nallihanicum, Campanula damboldtiana, Cytisus acutangulus, Salsola grandis, Salvia aytachii and Verbascum gypsicola, were recorded and analyzes were carried out using Geographic Information Systems. In line with the analyses, the most suitable place to establish an Endemic Plants Collection Garden within the borders of the National Botanical Garden of Türkiye was selected. Among the taxa studied, 7 propagated species were adapted and protected in the collection garden. Thus, an important example study has been presented for the conservation of endangered taxa, which is one of the missions of botanical gardens.

ADMINISTRATIVE, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF KARAŞAR, AN ALEVI-BEKTASHI SETTLEMENT IN BEYPAZARI

Karaşar is an example of the settlement of Alevi-Bektashi Turkmen groups in Anatolia during the early Ottoman period, and the earliest records of Karaşar date to the 15th century. In the Ottoman period, Karaşar was administratively located at the intersection of the borders of the provinces of Hudavendigar, Kastamonu and Ankara, and historically always remained a part of Beypazarı. Karaşar, which had a considerably higher population compared to a classical village settlement, became a subdistrict to which other villages around it were connected in the 19th century. In the Republican period, Karaşar became a town, and although it maintained this status for many years, today it is a settlement consisting of several neighborhoods. This study evaluates the economic and social structure of Karaşar, an Alevi-Bektashi settlement, on the basis of data from tahrir, population and temettuat books in the Ottoman Archives. In addition, the smuggling and banditry issues that have taken place in the history of Karaşar have been emphasized. The evaluations based on archives and research works are also supported by oral history data in Karaşar. The oral history data has been especially important in terms of the continuity of intangible cultural heritage and the control of local narratives with historical data.

In vitro sensitivity of the tomato early blight disease agent Alternaria alternata to some fungicides

Early leaf blight is a common fungal disease caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler. Various fungicides are used for the chemical control of this disease. As a result of the frequent use of fungicides, decreased susceptibility to the pathogen may be observed. In this study, the susceptibility of early leaf blight (A. alternata), a problem in tomato plantations, to azoxystrobin, tebuconazole and mancozeb was determined. Sixty A. alternata isolates were obtained from 121 infected plant samples collected from the Antalya, Ankara, Bartın, and Zonguldak provinces in 2013 and 2014. Pathogenicity tests revealed that the disease severity of the isolates varied between 50% and 85% on average. The susceptibility of the isolates to azoxystrobin, tebuconazole, and mancozeb was determined by radial growth tests, and ED50 values against azoxystrobin, tebuconazole and mancozeb were determined to be 0.4 ppm, 0.6 ppm and 0.6 ppm, respectively. Polatlı was the most susceptible isolate to the three active substances. Alanya isolate to azoxystrobin (ED50= 452 ppm), Derbent isolate to mancozeb (ED50= 14.45 ppm), Serik and Kayaburnu isolates to tebuconazole (ED50= 33.61 ppm) were determined as the highest resistance isolates. As a result of the study, it was determined that some of the isolates developed resistance to these fungicides.

Classification of Agricultural Crops with Random Forest and Support Vector Machine Algorithms Using Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 Images

Monitoring crop development and mapping cultivated areas are important for reducing risks to food security due to climate change. Remote sensing techniques contribute significantly to the efficient and effective management of agricultural production. In this study, agricultural fields (sunflower, wheat, maize, oat, chickpea, sugar beet, alfalfa, onion, fallow) and other fields (non-agricultural, pasture, lake) were identified by using Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) machine learning algorithms with Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 images in the area covering Polatlı, Haymana and Gölbaşı districts of Ankara province Multi-temporal images were used to distinguish winter and summer crops, taking into account crop development periods. As a result of classification; the overall accuracy of RF and SVM models with S2 images are 89.5% and 84.6% and kappa coefficients are 0.88 and 0.83, while the overall accuracy of RF and SVM models with L8 images are 79% and 78.1% and kappa coefficients are 0.76 and 0.75. RF model was found to have higher prediction accuracy than SVM. Sentinel-2 imagery has a higher accuracy in all classes compared to Landsat-8, indicating that Sentinel-2 imagery with its high temporal and spatial resolution is more suitable and has a great potential for agricultural crop pattern detection.

A multiscale approach to optimize off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems for sustainable rural electrification: Economic evaluation and design

This article thoroughly investigates the design and optimization of an off-grid hybrid renewable energy system for a remote town in the province of Ankara, whose traditional power infrastructure is lacking. The goal is to provide an efficient and cost-effective energy system that can supply the village's power needs indefinitely. The optimization process entails selecting the best mix of renewable energy sources and sizing components to obtain the best economic and technical performance. To handle the complexity of the optimization problem, the Nelder-Mead simplex search method is used, taking into account the stochastic nature of renewable energy generation and the nonlinear features of RES-based power plants. The simulation results show that the suggested hybrid system outperforms traditional diesel power generators in terms of economic viability and environmental sustainability. The system assures consistent power supply by using reserve energy devices such as batteries, thereby minimizing the intermittent nature of renewable sources. With a competitive energy cost of €0.63/kWh, the optimized hybrid system ensures a dependable and continuous power supply, fulfilling the village's electrical requirement for an amazing 16 years.

Crossroad between the sylvatic and domestic cycles of Mesocestoides litteratus: mesocestodiasis in dogs adopted from shelters in Türkiye.

This study aimed to report the presence of Mesocestoides litteratus in dogs adopted from shelters in Türkiye. Gravid segments were examined microscopically in the faeces of dogs from different shelters located in Ankara and Kirikkale provinces in the central region of Türkiye. Then, genomic DNA obtained from these segments, a 446-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 gene, and a 350-bp fragment of mitochondrial 12S rRNA were amplified and sequenced. BLASTn search was performed. During light microscopic examination, an egg-filled paruterine organ was observed in the middle part of the segment. Thin-shelled, oval, 35-µm-diameter parasite eggs containing an oncosphere with three pairs of hooklets were observed. The gravid segments were determined as Mesocestoides spp. based on the appearance of the typical paruterine organ. PCR results supported our diagnosis; moreover, according to the BLAST results, it was detected that the species infecting two dogs was 98.01-100% similar to M. litteratus. Praziquantel-containing medication was administered to the infected dogs at a dosage of 5mg/kg. Foxes act as the final host of M. litteratus and the parasite is prevalent in wildlife; however, these animals may disperse the parasite in urban life. Veterinarians need to be made more aware of this parasite, especially if the dogs are owned from shelters.

Locating Emergency Stations Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) Methods: Application of Ankara Province

An earthquake ranks first among natural disasters in Turkey, with a rate of 70%. Minimizing the effects of a disaster after it occurs is possible by establishing effective disaster management. Especially the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, 2023, showed how important it is to deliver aid to the disaster area. In this study, the problem of determining the location of emergency stations to be established in order to deliver aid to the disaster area in case of a disaster was examined. There are studies in the literature to determine the locations of emergency stations to be established in provincial centers. In this study, the locations of emergency stations to be established in the non-central districts of Ankara were tried to be determined using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. In the study, firstly, the criteria that would be effective in the location selection of emergency stations were determined, and the weights of these criteria were calculated with the Pythagorean Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (PFAHP) method. In the second stage of the study, 16 districts outside the center of Ankara were compared with the Pythagorean Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity To An Ideal Solution (PFTOPSIS) method, and the districts where emergency stations should be opened first were evaluated.

Evaluation of Ankara Province Tobacco Control Inspectors’ Field Experiences and Opinions About Smoke-Free Airspace

Evaluation of Ankara Province Tobacco Control Inspectors’ Field Experiences and Opinions About Smoke-Free Airspace

A scale for seventh and eighth grade students’ attitudes towards skill-based mathematics questions

The aim of this study is to develop a theoretically sound, valid, and reliable scale to examine seventh and eighth grade students’ attitudes towards so-called skill-based mathematics questions (SBMQ). The sample of the study was 820 seventh and eighth grade students at three different middle schools in Etimesgut District of Ankara Province. A draft item pool was crafted after a detailed literature review and the scale was finalized for the implementation after receiving expert opinions. This version of scale was administered shortly before the national examination which included skill-based questions in the 2022-2023 academic year. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis methods were used to examine the construct validity of the scale. The analysis resulted in 16 items in three factors (affective, cognitive, and motivational) which explained 46% of the total variance. Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability scores were above .70 for each factor and whole scale. The results indicated that the Attitudes Towards SBMQ Scale developed for seventh and eighth grade students is valid and reliable.

Evaluation of health literacy levels and COVID-19 awareness among tuberculosis patients.

For Tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19 infections, whose transmission modes and preventive measures are similar, compliance with preventive measures and treatment is closely related to Health Literacy (HL) levels. This study aimed to evaluate the HL levels, and COVID-19 awareness of TB patients treated and followed up in TB Dispensaries serving under the Çankaya District Health Directorate of Ankara Province. A questionnaire including socio-demographic characteristics, COVID-19 knowledge level questions, and Health literacy scale-European union-Q16 questions were applied face-to-face to the registered TB patients. Mann-Whitney U and Spearman Correlation tests were used in the analysis. The mean age of the 107 participants (response rate: 89.1%) was 48.4 years; 42.1% were women. 56.5% of the patients were newly diagnosed, and 11.1% had resistant TB. 43.5% of the participants have had COVID-19; 23.1% thought they had disruptions in their TB treatment period due to the pandemic. The HL level of 23.1% was adequate. There was a moderate positive correlation between the HL scale score and the COVID-19 knowledge level questions (r = 0.468; p < 0.001). COVID-19 knowledge level was higher in those with adequate HL levels (p < 0.001). The higher level of knowledge about COVID-19 in TB patients with sufficient HL levels suggests the importance of increasing the HL order in the effective fight against the pandemic and possible new outbreaks.

Exploring the Economically Important Growth Traits and Environmental Influences on Akkaraman Lambs in Ankara

This study focused on the Akkaraman sheep breed, specifically examining the pre-weaning growth characteristics and Kleiber ratio, within the framework of Türkiye’s National Community-Based Small Ruminant Breeding Program. The research involved Akkaraman lambs born between 2017 and 2021 across 20 farms in the Ankara province. The dataset comprised 19,119 observations, covering key attributes such as birth weight, weaning weight, average daily weight gain, and the Kleiber ratio. Statistical analyses were conducted to identify outliers, assess normality, and develop linear models to explore the impact of environmental factors on the traits. Birth weight was significantly influenced by sex, birth type, birth season, birth year, and flock size. Weaning weight exhibited significant variations based on the same factors, emphasizing the importance of gender, birth type, birth season, birth year, and flock size. Average daily weight gain was notably affected by gender, birth type, birth season, birth year, flock size, and environmental factors, emphasizing their impact on growth. The Kleiber ratio demonstrated significant variations influenced by gender, birth type, birth season, birth year, and flock size. The results highlighted the intricate interplay between environmental factors and pre-weaning growth traits in the Akkaraman sheep breed. The study contributes valuable insights to enhance productivity and underscores the potential of the Akkaraman breed in Türkiye's overall agricultural development, considering its adaptability to arid climates and challenging pasture conditions

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Racehorse Breeders

In this study, a face-to-face survey study was conducted with 58 racehorse breeders and business owners located in Adana, Ankara, Mersin and Sanliurfa provinces about racehorsing during the pandemic period. The study data were analyzed and evaluated with the SPSS 22.0 program. According to the results, according to the gender, horse breeding is largely carried out by men, participants have the most high school graduates as an education level, the average age is 38.6, and they have experienced the most financial losses during the pandemic period, the reason for which is the inability to hold competitions. When these results of breeders are evaluated, it is suggested that it would be beneficial for them to be evaluated regionally in a sub-branch of the ministry and to provide informative trainings for horsemanship in cooperation with the university, the ministry and TJK.

Disaster Logistics Warehouse Location Selection: An Application for Ankara Province

Afetler, insan, malzeme veya çevresel kayıplara sebebiyet veren, günlük hayatın işleyişinde büyük ölçüde olumsuz etkileri olan, yaşanılan bölgenin kendi imkanları ile üstesinden gelemeyeceği olaylardır. Türkiye’de en çok yaşanılan doğal afetler ise depremlerdir. Depremlerin olumsuz etkilerinin azaltılması ise afet öncesinde gerçekleştirilen etkin afet lojistiğinin sağlanması ile mümkün olmaktadır. Afet sonrasında afetzedelere hizmet veren afet lojistik depolarının uygun yerlere kurulması, afet lojistiğinin başarılı bir şekilde uygulanmasında etkili olmaktadır. Bu yüzden bu çalışmada afet lojistik depoları için yer seçimi problemi incelenmiştir. Literatürdeki çalışmalarda afet lojistik depolarının genelde şehir merkezlerinde kurulmasına yönelik çalışmalar mevcuttur. 6 Şubat 2023 tarihinde meydana gelen depremler çevre illerden gelecek yardımların ne kadar önemli olduğunu gözler önüne sermiştir. Bu yüzden bu çalışmada Ankara’nın merkez dışı ilçelerinde kurulacak afet lojistik depoları ile hem komşu ilçelere hem de çevre illere hizmet verilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Çalışmada afet lojistik depolarının yerlerinin belirlenmesi ile bu depolara atanacak il ve ilçelerin belirlenmesinde küme kapsama ile p-medyan ve kapasitelendilmiş p-medyan modelleri kullanılmıştır. Çalışmanın son bölümünde ise yapılan duyarlılık analizi ile modellerin etkinliği analiz edilmiştir.

Conservation and Landscape Evaluation of Some Endangered Species in Türkiye

In addition to in-situ conservation activities related to endangered taxa, it has a great importance to provide ex-situ conservation activities to increase awareness and to determine their usage areas by examining reproduction methods. In the line with, the aim of the study is to prevent the extinction of some endangered endemic taxa in Ayaş, Beypazarı and Nallıhan regions of Ankara province in Türkiye, to evaluate the taxa within the framework of sustainable conservation and use principles by raising awareness, and thus to protect the biodiversity in the region. For these purposes, during their vegetation periods throughout the years 2020-2022, some observations were recorded in landscape point of view from the habitats of 9 Critically Endangered (CR) and 3 Vulnerable (VU) taxa. Moreover, all the taxa are photographed and have been archived in the Collections of National Botanical Garden of Türkiye (NBGT) as National Herbarium (TC), DNA and Tissue Banks. Also, samples have been kept in 70% EtOH for Microscobic Slide Collection of NBGT. In addition, the possibilities of using taxa in the landscape area were evaluated. The results of the habitat observations for years serve as a basis for future conservation and landscape gain efforts for the taxa.

The Environmental Impact on Economically Significant Traits in Central Anatolian Merino Sheep

This research delves into the pre-weaning growth and fleece characteristics of the Central Anatolian Merino sheep breed, focusing on Türkiye's National Community-Based Small Ruminant Breeding Program. The study encompasses Central Anatolian Merino lambs born between 2016 and 2021 across 22 farms in Ankara province, amassing a dataset of around 35,344 observations. Economically important traits such as birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), average daily weight gain (ADWG), Kleiber ratio at weaning (KR), fibre diameter, and fibre length (measured in approximately 4,809 observations) were scrutinized. Rigorous statistical analyses, including outlier identification, normality assessment, and the development of linear mixed models, were employed to unravel the impact of environmental factors on these traits. Significant findings emerged, indicating that birth weight, weaning weight, and the Kleiber ratio were substantially influenced by variables such as sex, birth type, birth season, birth year, and flock size. Moreover, average daily weight gain exhibited noteworthy variations attributed to gender, birth type, birth season, birth year, flock size, and other environmental factors, underscoring their collective impact on growth. Fleece traits displayed considerable diversity influenced by gender, birth type, birth season, birth year, and flock size. This study sheds light on the intricate interplay between environmental factors and pre-weaning growth traits within the Central Anatolian Merino sheep breed. Beyond its scientific contributions, this research provides valuable insights aimed at bolstering productivity. The adaptability of the Central Anatolian Merino breed to arid climates and challenging pasture conditions positions it as a key player in Türkiye's broader agricultural development.