Page 263 - 7. State Of Environment Report Of Türkiye

The Mediterranean Plant Geography Region covers all regions bordering the Mediterranean Sea
and the western parts of Thrace. In these regions, forest ecosystems form different vegetation
series from sea level to the highest parts of the mountains depending on soil-climate-plant re-
lations. Within each vegetation series, different forest ecosystems develop depending on other
ecological parameters.
In the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Türkiye, where the Mediterranean climate is effec-
tive, the “Warm Mediterranean and Main Mediterranean vegetation layer” is observed between
0-1.000 metres in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Türkiye, where the Mediterrane-
an climate is effective, the “Warm Mediterranean and Main Mediterranean Vegetation Level” is
observed and within these levels, Xerophyllous Maquis (Oaks, Sandalwood, Gum, Myrtle, etc.)
Ecosystem, Red Pine (Pinus Brutia) Forest Ecosystem, Aleppo Pine (Pinus Halepensis) Forest
Ecosystem, Logwood (Liquidambar Orientalis) Forest Ecosystem, Cypress (Cupressus Sempervi-
rens) Forest Ecosystem, Mixed Oak (Quercus Cerris-Q. Infectoria-Q. Libani-Q. Brantii) Ecosystem
and Peanut Pine (Pinus Pinea) Forest Ecosystems are seen.

Between 1.000-2.000 metres, “Upper Mediterranean and Mediterranean Mountain Vegetation
Layers” are observed. Black Pine (Pinus Nigra), Taurus Fir (Abies Cilicica), Cedar (Cedrus Libani),
Beech and Hornbeam (Ostrya Carpinifolia-Carpinus Orientalis), Mixed Oak (Quercus Petraea-
Quercus Cerris- Qurcus Trojana) forest ecosystems are observed between these elevations. In
the Aegean High Mountain Forests, unlike the Mediterranean, there are mixed forest ecosystems
including chestnut, beech, linden, hazelnut, yellow pine, oak and red pine trees in most places.
After 2.000 metres, “High Mountain Mediterranean Vegetation Level” is found. In this section,
there is a mixed Juniper (Juniperus excelsa-Juniperus foetidissima) forest ecosystem and a Me-
diterranean High Mountain Steppe ecosystem consisting of semi-shrub and herbaceous plants
in pillow form.

The Iran-Turanian region is the largest of the plant geography regions and extends from Central
Anatolia to Mongolia. Terrestrial climate and steppe plants are dominant in the region. Although
the region covers a much wider area, forest ecosystems here include arid zone forest and high
mountain ecosystems. The main ones are Steppe Forest (Tree)-Central Anatolia (Haired and Ha-
iry oak, Black pine, Juniper: 800-1.500 m), Arid Black pine, Oak and Juniper Forests-Central Ana-
tolia (Oaks: <1.200 m; Black pine: 1.000 - 1.500 m; Yellow pine > 1.500 m), Arid Forests-Eastern
Anatolia Oak Forests (Oak species < 850 m).
The Euro-Siberian plant geography region extends across Northern Anatolia and the parts of the
Thrace Region facing the Black Sea. It is the wettest climatic zone, its large parts are covered with
forests. In this region, forest ecosystems in the formations of arid oak and pine forests (oak, larch,
red pine) and shrubs (maquis - false maquis) stand out below 1.500 m. Between 500-1,200 m,
Leafy-Coniferous Forests (Beech-Fagus Orientalis-, Chestnut-Castanea Sativa, Hornbeam-Car-
pinus Orientalis- Carpinus Betulus, Alder-Alnus Glutinosa); Between 1,000-1,500 m, Moist-Semi
Moist Coniferous Forests (Larch, Scots Pine-Pinus Sylvestris, Spruce-Picea Orientalis, Fir-Abies
Nordmanniana-) are found. Mixed Rhododendron (Rhododendron Ponticum, Rhododendron
Luteum, Rhododendron Ungernii, Rhododendron Smirnowii), White Kumar and Birch (Betula
Pendula) forest ecosystems are found especially in the higher parts of the eastern Black Sea.
Floodplain Mixed Forest (Fraxinus Angustifolius-Qurcus Robur - Fagus Orientalis) ecosystems
are found in flat alluvial areas with high ground water in Thrace and Western Black Sea regions.
Most large mammals in Türkiye live in forest ecosystems. For example, the forests provide habi-

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