Physical geography of Akdağ mountain and surroundings (Çivril- Sandikli)

ABSTRACT The study of this thesis on '' Physical Geography of Akdağ Mountain and Surroundings (Çivril-Sandıklı)'' has been prepared for revealing the physical geographical characteristics of the moutainous mass on the limits of Çivril district of Denizli province. These geographical characteristics were formed by climate,hydrography,soil,surface forms, and vegetation The research area is located in the northeast of the intersection of the Menderes Massif and Lycian nappes. Therefore, on the mountainous mass, there are two different lithological units which they belong to two different periods. In the northeast of the mountain, there are crystal graywackes, in the West, limestones of Lycian Nappes, and ophiolitic melange. In addition, sedimentary rocks from Neogene period predominate in less mountainous areas around the mountainous mass. In the research area located in the upper path of Büyük alluvial deposits widespread due to the sediments which had been carried and brought together by the both Büyük Menderes and its tributary Kufi Stream Landform Units of the research area are emerged from mountainous terrain, less defective relief around this area, plains of mountain and silt lowland. The highest point of both the research area and the mass of Akdağ iş Kıraç Tepe with 2246 meter. Deveboynu Tepe (2259 m), Büyükgedik Tepe (2125 m) and Gevencigediği Tepe (2211 m) are the other most important peaks above Akdağ (Dönmez, 2005). Due to its location, different climate features are observed on the east side and West side of the Akdağ mountainous mass. It is located at transition are between Mediterrenean climate and continental climate. In the east and northeast area of Sandıklı plain in Akdağ, continental climate is strong, this is why the temperature is low and snowfall is observed, when temperate climate of Mediterrenean region is observed in the West and southwest of the mountain. Most of streams, that are located in and around Akdağ, are etesion. The streams that creates the hydrography of the research area are Büyük Menderes River, Kufi Stream, and Akçay Stream. The upper path of Büyük Menderes River is included in the research area. Kufi Stream, one of the most important tributaries of Büyük Menderes River, takes its source from Küçük Sincanlı plain, which is excluded from the boundaries of the research area, travels from southeast to northwest encircles the mountainous mass. Akçay Stream takes its source from around Kocayayla and flows towards South, Işıklı Lake. In the research area, the streams have dandritic drainage network. When the soil features are examined, it is observes that the brown forest soil and alluvial soil are common in the research area. Almost whole area of Akdağ mountainous mass, is where the mountains of Ortadağ and Burgaz brown forest soil spread. Çivril plain and Kufi Stream, at where the river bed of Büyük Menderes River is located, are the fields that alluvium are dragged and piled up by rivers. Being located in the transition area between Mediterrenean and continental climate causes Akdağ mass to becoma interesting as well in terms of plant species and dispersion. Variable characteristic of the climate in the different slopes of Akdağ mass directly effects the vegetation. Therefore, species and distribution of plants becomes variable, and also it is observed that the orographic features and classification of plants change in the slopes of Akdağ mass depending on the exposure. This causes different species of plants to grow at the same altitude. Maquis are the community to occupy the largest space. At higher altitude of the mountain, spread of red pines expands. From the upper limits of red pine forest, 1900 meters and above, plants of moorland and plants of subalpine can be viewed.