Ecological indicator values of forest communities in Citdere Region (Yenice-Karabuk)

Abstract

Indicator species system, which has been used widely in Europe, has many advantages in vegetation analysis. It allows quick interpretation of ecological conditions using floristic data without doing any measurements about site conditions. Considering the amount of phytosociological studies carried out in Turkey, this system may provide important information about plants or plant communities if required modifications are done. In this study, Pignatti-Ellenberg indicator values (EIVs) modified for the check list of Flora Europea were used to analyse and compare forest communities of Gitdere region in terms of light (radiation), temperature, moisture, continentality, soil reaction and soil nutrient in order to test how effectively mean EIVs indicate ecological conditions. Main differences were found between communities which occur on sunny and shady exposures in terms of moisture, soil nutrient, light and temperature indicator values. When normal and original permutation tests were used, all of six indicator values were significant. With the modified permutation test, only mean temperature and light indicator values showed significant differences among 8 forest communities of the region. Pinus sylvestris and Quercus petraea forest communities which have relatively narrow distribution area showed higher correlation with temperature and continentality indicator values when weighted average by species cover was used.