Flora and vegetation of Argözü valley (Kıbrıscık-Bolu)

This study was carried out to determine Flora and vegetation of Argözü Valley (Kıbrıscık- Bolu) and contribute to plant diversity and vegetation types in Western Black Sea Region. Kıbrıscık is situated on the southern slope of Köroğlu Mountains which is located 35 km. south east of Bolu. The study area is also located to the north east of Kıbrıscık and in the A3 grid square according to the categorization of P. H. Davis. 1074 plant samples were collected in 47 field trips to research area between 2012 and 2015. 303 sample plots were taken to determining the vegetation from the study area. 63 families, 273 genus and 554 taxa were determined. 65 of the collected taxa are endemic and endemism ratio is 11,73 %. Endemic and rare plants were classified according to IUCN categories. The largest families are as follows: Poaceae 55 taxa (%9,93), Asteraceae 51 taxa (%9,21), Fabaceae 47 taxa (%8,48), Rosaceae 33 taxa (%5,96), Brassicaceae 29 taxa (%5,23), Lamiaceae 27 taxa (%4,87), Caryophyllaceae 27 taxa (%4,87), Liliaceae 20 taxa (%3,61), Boraginaceae 19 taxa (%3,43), Rubiaceae 16 taxa (%2,89), Plantaginaceae 16 taxa (%2,89), Apiaceae 13 taxa (%2,35), Campanulaceae 11 taxa (%1,99), Orchidaceae 10 taxa (%1,81). Phytogeographical regions of 334 taxa (%60,28) was identified in the research area. The distribution of taxa according to phytogeographic regions are as follows: 109 taxa (%19,68) Euro-Siberian, 78 taxa (%14,08) Mediterranean, 63 taxa (%11,37) Irano-Turanian, 80 taxa (%14,44) widespread and 224 taxa (%40,43) are unknown. According to Raunkiaer's life form of the plants are 38 (%6,86) Phanerophytes, 59 (%10,63) Chamaephytes, 114 (%20,58) Cryptophytes, 209 (%37,73) Hemicryptophytes and 135 (%24,37) Therophytes. The vegetation of study area was investigated by Braun-Blanquet method and data were edited and classified using TURBOVEG and JUICE. Also indirect ordination analysis was applied. As a resault of anlysis 13 plant communities were determined belonging to 6 different vegetation type as forest, shrub, riparian, alpin, moist meadows and rocky vegetation. The vegetation map was prepared using the ArcGIS program. Keywords: Argözü Valley, Plant communities, Flora, Kıbrıscık, Vegetation