Floras of Beydağ, Kızılgöl and Soğanlı mountains (Tahtalı mountains, Adana/Kayseri) and their conservation

This research was carried out in Beydağ, Kızılgöl and Soğanlı mountains between Adana and Kayseri provinces. 4000 plant specimens were collected from the area between March 2005 and November 2008. Identification of the specimens revealed the presence of 1156 species, 267 subspecies, 126 varieties, and totaly 1202 taxa at specific and infraspecific level, belonging to 471 genera in 93 families. Pteridophyta are 7 taxa, Spermatophyta are 1195 taxa (Gymnospermae are 9 taxa, and Angiospermae are 1186 taxa). 162 taxa are new records for B6 square. A total of 243 taxa determined in the research area (21,3 %) are endemic to Turkey. The scattering ratios of the taxa for the phytogeographical regions are as follows: Irano-Turanian elements are 323 taxa (27,79 %), Mediterranean elements are 162 taxa (13,94 %), Euro-Siberian elements are 63 taxa (5,42 %), widespread and others which their regions unclarified are 614 taxa (52,83 %).A strategy for protecting the plant diversity of the research area was developed based on ?Convention on Biological Diversity?, ?Global Strategy for Plant Conservation? and ?National Strategy for Biological Diversity and Action Plan?. The name of the strategy is ?Conservation Strategy for The Flora of Research Area (CSFR)?. With this purpose, 5 main targets were determined. To achieve these targets, redlist assessments of 15 threatened local endemics of the research area were made. Threat factors on the biological diversity of the area were determined. Critically Threatened, Threatened and Vulnerable endemic plants were mapped. Hot points of the area were identified. Study area was recommended as an IPA (Important Plant Area) and KBA (The Key Biodiversity Area). The legal supports were checked over for bringing in conservation status to the area. Seeds of 9 threatened local endemic plants were collected and sent to Ankara Central Research Institution Gene-bank. Also, we participated to the local symposium for awareness creation to the local people. Introductory brochure and poster were prepared by contacting the related governmental founding.