Identification and comparison of the plants on the cliff structures of Antalya

As in the world, the human population in Turkey is continuously increasing. To meet the basic needs of this growing population, natural areas are being used. The responses of these areas to usage are referred to as anthropogenic impact. The results of human activities on nature are mostly consequences of anthropogenic effects. In this study, the natural vegetation on the cliff structures of Antalya province was identified, and it was attempted to explain the floristic differences between each fragment of the areas, which were once a whole but have been fragmented due to destruction for human necessities such as shelter, transportation, tourism, and agricultural activities. For this purpose, 18 areas were selected, and fieldwork was conducted over a period of one year. As a result of the field studies, a total of 492 taxa were identified, belonging to 85 families and 307 genera across the 18 localities. In these 18 localities, 33 endemic species were identified, and the rate of endemism was found to be 6.71%. The taxa were distributed across phytogeographical regions as follows: 119 taxa were Mediterranean elements (28%), 104 taxa were East Mediterranean elements (24.47%), 13 were Iran-Turan elements (3.06%), 9 were Euro-Siberian elements (2.12%), 2 were West Mediterranean elements (0.47%), 1 was an Omni-Mediterranean element (0.24%), 1 was Saharan-Sinai element (0.24%), 1 was Hyrcanian-Black Sea element (0.24%), and 242 taxa (24.47%) could not be assigned to any specific phytogeographical region. Using 40-year satellite images obtained through Google Earth, vegetation change was visualized, and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) calculations showed an increase in green areas. However, it is thought that this increase resulted from landscape arrangements and forest creation efforts. According to the statistical analysis, the Konyaaltı Life Park and Çevreyolu Yamansaz localities were found to be more similar to the group formed by Lara Fener Mahallesi and Kurşunlu Waterfall localities, as well as to the group formed by Akdeniz University Campus, Kepez City Park, and Antalya Natural Life Park localities. On the other hand, Kırkgöz water sources, 5M Migros, Masadağ-1, Masadağ-2, Aksu Kundu Kemerağzı 1, and Aksu Kundu Kemerağzı 2 localities were found to be more similar to each other. Additionally, the Lara Fener Mahallesi and Kurşunlu Waterfall localities stood out as being more distinct from the other groups. According to the ANOVA analysis, the difference between the localities was statistically significant. According to the NDVI calculations, it was concluded that the vegetation of Antalya city center has increased in the last 40 years, but it is thought that the increase is mostly affected by afforestation works and park arrangement works. According to our NDBI calculations, it is thought that the settlement in Antalya City Center has increased and urbanization is primarily in agricultural areas and natural areas close to agricultural areas.