Plant geography of Bey Dağları Mountains

This study aims to investigate the vegetation of the Bey Dağları using analytical methods, examine the relationships between vegetation and environmental variables, and reveal its connections to environmental factors. The research is designed to identify the growth conditions of vegetation, define plant communities, evaluate compositional differences through beta diversity analyses, and contribute scientifically to conservation strategies. The research was conducted between 2021 and 2024 in 156 sampling areas. These areas were selected to represent the region's topographic, geological, and microclimatic diversity and analyzed using digital maps. To detail the physical geography characteristics, Digital Elevation Models (DEM) were used to produce elevation, slope, and aspect maps, while bioclimatic variables (BIO19) were utilized. Flora and vegetation observations were carried out during fieldwork, and plant species were identified using herbarium techniques. Hierarchical Clustering Analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) were employed to determine the relationships between vegetation and environmental factors. Beta diversity analyses were performed using the Whittaker Index to examine species compositional differences among habitats. The results reveal that the wide elevation range and complex topography of the Bey Dağları bring together Mediterranean and Alpine ecosystems. Thirteen different plant communities were identified, and their relationships with environmental variables were clarified. Geological and topographic processes were found to play a decisive role in the distribution of plant communities. Notably, microclimatic conditions and geological diversity contribute to the floristic richness of habitats. This study provides a significant scientific foundation for the conservation of the Bey Dağları's biological richness and the development of sustainable management policies. The region's biodiversity holds critical importance for the continuity of ecosystems.