Page 206 - Çevre Şehir ve İklim Dergisi İngilizce - Özel Sayı

Use of Climate-Resilient Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands

(Acer sp. L.), and sophora (Sophora japonica). The best results from the
planted species have been observed with black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia),
ash (Fraxinus excelsior), and oleaster (Elaeagnus) (Figure 10).
Additionally, poplar (Populus nigra), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), false
acacia (Gleditsia triacanthos), thuja (Thuja orientalis), cornelian cherry (Cornus),
tree of heaven (Ailanthus glandulosa), oak (Quercus), cedar (Cedrus libani), and
black pine (Pinus nigra) have been planted in the area (Özdoğan, 1976). As a
result of drought, it has been observed that the black pine, cedar, and oak trees,
which were planted in the area, have suffered from drying out due to lack of water.
In 2011, the application of saltbush (Atriplex canescens) in the area proved to be a
valuable species, providing a source of forage, soil protection, and serving as an
alternative species for land rehabilitation (Figure 10).

Figure 10: Since 1962, with the gradual implementation of afforestation activities in
the Konya Karapınar region, the successes of species such as saltbush (left), acacia,
ash, and oleaster (right) in combating wind erosion and desertification are shown in
their recent forms (from the author’s personal archive).

• Preferring to choose plants with a higher root/stem ratio, deeper
roots, and fast root development, as they are better suited to drought
conditions. (For example, semi-shrub plants like Kohya: Bozkır grass,
which can reach 1 meter in height while developing roots up to 6
meters deep, and the four-winged saltbush, which can grow up to 2.5
meters in height while their roots grow as deep as 6 meters.)
• Preferring herbaceous and shrubby species with high tolerance to
drought and salinity as pioneer plants in preparing the appropriate
environment to facilitate the adaptation of tall trees to such areas.
• Selecting species that can provide multi-purpose ecological and
economic services (such as contributing to livestock farming,
beekeeping, food production, soil conservation, improvement, creating
sink areas, and balancing land degradation).

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Special Issue / 2024