Investigation of the plants which can be used to prevent erosion in Gaziantep city

Destruction of flora is one of the most important causes of erosion, which is the most serious environmental problem. Particularly destruction of the plants with canopy coverage and improved root systems and exposure of soil surface significantly increases the severity of erosion. This study aimed to determine ecological characteristics of the plants which are distributed in natural vegetation of Gaziantep Region and can be recommended as a solution to erosion and to identify species richness in terms of erosion plants. The study used the existing plants in natural vegetation. Plant specimens were collected according to length of vegetation period, resistance to difficult conditions, root depth and canopy coverage of the plants. A total of 108 species belonging to 35 families were identified from the collected specimens according to Davis (1965-2010). Fabaceae and Asteraceae were identified as the first two families in terms of species richness in the study area. Therophytes 60 (% 55,5), Hemicryptophytes 37 (%34,2), Geophytes 4 (%3,7), Chamaephytes 4 (%3,7) and Phanerophytes 3 (%2,7) of total flora in the area. Erosion can be minimized by using these plants, which are naturally distributed in erosion sites. To combat erosion more effectively, awareness raising activities should be conducted to identify and conserve surface covering plants, which are a part of the ecosystem.