Restoration of seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) Kaş Limanağzı region

In this thesis, restoration was carried out in the Limanağzı region of Kaş district of Antalya, where Posidonia oceanica seagrasses were present until 2009 but were not seen again after an aircraft wreckage incident. The shoots collected from another donor area, approximately 300 m away from the area, were brought to Limanağzı region under optimal conditions and transferred to 2 different stations in the 5-25 m depth band, 20-35 m away from the shore on the same day. Data loggers were placed in the transfer areas and physical parameters such as temperature, pH, salinity and conductivity of the water in the region were recorded regularly. In addition, the health, growth and biodiversity status of P. oceanica in both stations in the restoration area were monitored on- site with SCUBA dives. As a result of an 8-month monitoring, the physicochemical parameters recorded at stations 1 (5 m) and 2 (10 m) were observed to be at similar values. The lengths of the leaves at station 2 showed significant development at the end of 8 months and the rhizomes were firmly attached to the ground. The biodiversity status in the area was monitored for 9 months at both stations and during this period, 11 different species were identified, 8 of which were fish (teleosts) (Chromis chromis, Parupeneus forsskali, Siganus luridus, Siganus rivulatus, Sparisoma cretense, Stephanolepis diaspros, Torquigener flavimaculosus, and Xyrichtys novacula) and 1 each of nudibranch (Flabellina affinis), sea cucumber (echinoderm) (Synaptula reciprocans) and tunicate (Halocynthia papillosa). At the end of 9 months, the most observed species in stations 1 and 2 were P. forsskali (77 pieces) and S. rivulatus (224 pieces), respectively. The results obtained from this thesis study have revealed the ecological and economic importance of the fact that P. oceanica seagrass, which are extremely sensitive and vulnerable ecosystems against natural and anthropogenic pressures, can be successfully compensated for by restoration works as a countermeasure for the decreasing populations in the Mediterranean. Key Words : Seagrass, Posidonia oceanica, restoration, Türkiye, Mediterranean Sea Page Number : 35 Supervisor : Prof. Dr. Cemal TURAN