Suitable habitat modelling using GIS for orchids in the Black Sea Region (North of Turkey).

Orchids are under continuous threat from many factors, especially human-sourced. Estimating the emerging threat factors linked to habitat losses is very important to understand the effects on biodiversity and to design protection strategies and protected areas. Field assessments and modelling were performed with the aim of determining areas where orchids may spread and to reveal priority areas to create a protection plan. Additionally, the aim was to contribute to development of protection strategies for taxa under threat. This study was performed in the Black Sea region located in the north of Turkey. A total of 40 taxa belonging to 15 Orchidaceae genera were collected. The field assessment process used topographic parameters and threat factors. Habitats where orchids are most commonly distributed comprise open areas, meadows, pastures, and forests. Additionally, the density of orchids was determined to be highest at altitudes from 400 to 1600 m. The highest risk factors for taxa in the region include grazing and trampling. Based on these results, suitable habitats were modelled and mapped according to the observed habitat requirements. The determined suitable habitats will represent the preliminary targets for ex situ protection programs where required. The maps revealed here are important for labeling areas with an estimated orchid density and for protection of these areas if necessary. Our field observations were compatible with the obtained maps. Additionally, we consider these maps to be very important in terms of determining areas where taxa will be spread in preliminary field studies.

Seed morphometry and ultrastructure studies on some Turkish orchids (Orchidaceae).

Orchid seeds have great morphological variations that imply the phylogenetic relationship of the species depending on the biodiversity of the family or act as an adaptation to seed dispersal mechanisms depending on the life form. This study aims to both describe and analyse the qualitative and quantitative traits of 12 Turkish orchids representing epidendroids and orchidoids in detail to investigate which properties are diagnostic among these taxa and also reveal if seed properties are differentiated in relationship to the ecological preferences of the studied species. Both qualitative and quantitative features were determined, and measurements were obtained using light and scanning electron microscopy. We applied the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis and canonical discriminant analysis to the qualitative and quantitative traits. Furthermore, we analyzed the same orchid seed in correlation with ecological traits such as habitats and the elevation preferences of species. This study confirmed the usefulness of both data sets for effectively assessing the variation of orchid seeds. Although the seed characters such as the cell shape differences in the chalazal or medial region, seed sizes, cell numbers on the longitudinal axis, and periclinal wall ornamentation are taxonomically conserved, some other characteristics such as seed shape, the absence of periclinal wall ornamentation, and larger embryo size imply ecological adaptation or developmental achievement for germination. This study confirms the diagnostic value of both qualitative and quantitative seed features, which are effective in explaining the orchid seed variety.

Comparative anatomical properties of some Epidendroideae and Orchidoideae species distributed in NE Turkey.

In this research, anatomical, leaf micromorphological features of the samples belonging to 25 taxa (Anacamptis Rich., Cephalanthera Rich., Dactylorhiza Necker ex Nevski, Gymnadenia R.Br., Himantoglossum Spreng., Limodorum Boehm., Ophrys L., Orchis L., Platanthera Rich., Serapias L., Spiranthes Rich. and Steveniella Schltr.) spread in the Karadeniz Region have been evaluated comparatively. In anatomical studies, the transverse section from root, stem and leaf, and surface section from leaves of plants were examined. In addition, micromorphological properties of leaf were determined by electron microscopy. Morphometrical analyses were carried out using the anatomical and leaf micromophological characters of each taxa. The data matrices were obtained by examining the results of at least three samples collected from different localities. The data were evaluated using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and PAleontological STatistics (PAST) statistical programs with PCA, linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean analysis. Anatomical characteristics of plants such as root epidermis cell length, cortex diameter and pith cell diameter, leaf upper epidermis length-width and bulliform cell length-width were determined to be important characteristics. It was concluded that these characters are especially important in grouping at the genus level.