Flora of old growth forest in Kavakli region (Yenice-Karabuk)

The research area is located within the borders of the Kavaklı Nature Reserve in Yenice district of Karabük province. In this study, the natural growth forest flora of the study area, which exhibits a natural arboretum feature, has been revealed. The altitudes of the area changes between 240 and 1300 meters. The study area is located in the Western Black Sea region and phytogeographically within the Euxine borders of the Euro-Siberian region. Yenice Forests are among the 100 hotspots designated by WWF (Word Wildlife Fund)in the world. It is also one of the 9 hotspots and 122 Important Plant Areas of Turkey. Generally, different vegetation layers have been formed in the area due to phytogeographic effect. As a result, rich plant diversity has occurred. According to the grid system of P.H Davis, the research area is in the A4 square. As a result of the field studies between 2017 and 2018, "Flora of Turkey and Aegean Islands" and other references were used to identify 850 plant specimens collected during the vegetation period. The collected specimens are stored in Duzce University Forestry Faculty Herbarium (DUOF) under suitable conditions. As a result of the definitions, 430 taxa belonging to 75 families and 239 genera were identified. The family with the largest number of genera are Asteraceae (Compositae) with 25 genera. The family with the largest number of species are Asteraceae with 45 taxa. The genera with largest number of taxa are Trifolium and Veronica with 8 taxa. A total of 29 taxa determined in the study area (7%) are endemic for Turkey. The distribution ratios of the taxa in the area according to the phytogeographical regions are as follows: Euro-Siberian elements are 145 taxa (33.9%), Irano-Turanian elements are taxa 8 (1.9%), Mediterranean elements are 28 taxa (6.5%), widespread and others which their regions unclarified are 249 taxa (57.8%). The distribution ratios of the taxa according to the Raunkiaer life forms are as follows: Phanerophytes were reported as 71 taxa (17%), Chamaephytes 14 taxa (3%), Hemicriptophytes 238 taxa (55%), Cryptophytes 65 taxa (15%) (Geophytes 61 taxa (14%), Hydrophytes 4 taxa (1%)) and Terophytes 42 taxa (10%). Keywords : Flora, Karabuk, Old Growht Forest, Raunkiaer, Yenice Forests.