Algae of the Kaklik cave (Denizli)and around the wetland areas

Caves are unique natural ecosystems with unique environmental features. Each cave provides valuable habitats to different species with their disparities. The Kaklık Cave hosts various species with its sinkhole shape and rich hydrological properties, which is located in Denizli province, Kaklık town. This study aims to classify the alga species living in this special ecosystem and describe their habits. Moreover, try to close the research gap in cave biology field in Turkey.Kaklık Cave has thermal characteristics due to the influx of thermal water from the Kokarhamam fountain. In addition to that, Kaklık Cave is over-lighted with direct sunlight through its wide entrance hence classified as a warm cave. Therefore it is chosen as the research field of this study with such unique features. Eighteen different sampling areas have been located inside and outside the cave. Four preliminary and twelve periodical, with a total of sixteen sampling studies have been made during the time period between May 2008 and October 2011 on those locations. Classification of those samplings has been done in the laboratory with living samples. The species those are considered to be necessary have been bred in laboratory. Samples have been archived in %2-4 formaldehyde. Furthermore, during the sampling study, atmospheric attributes the Kaklık Cave and physico-chemical parameters of the Kokarhamam fountain have been measured. Thereby, (co-)related interpretations have been produced between the measurements and species? compositions. The classification of the samples has been done using the taxonomical ranking system and related literature.As a result, 49 Cyanobacteria, 2 Euglenophyta, 20 Heterokontophyta (18 Bacillariophyceae, 2 Xantophyceae) and 14 Chlorophyta taxa, totally 85 taxa has been identified. 25 of these species are reported for the first time in this study for fresh water algae and terrestrial algae flora of Turkey.