Bio-ecology and conservation biology of endemic Campanula aktascii Aytaç & H. Duman and Campanula yaltirikii H. Duman

In recent years, global climate change, land use, improper farming practices and overgrazing have caused loss of biodiversity. For this reason, determination of biodiversity and taking precautions by observing the losses are of great importance. Genus Campanula L. which is represented by a total of 139 taxa in the flora of Turkey is among the genera comprising a high rate of endemic taxa with species containing more than 50% endemic rate. In this study, the relationship between ecological and biological factors of the anatomic, morphological, palynological and reproductive biology characteristics of the species of Campanula aktascii Aytaç & H. Duman and Campanula yaltirikii H. Duman were investigated. In addition, ecological niche modeling of the species was made and it was determined how the distribution of species will be affected by the global climate change. In addition, potential threats for natural populations of these species were identified, recommendations were made to eliminate their damages and the IUCN categories were updated. According to the results, the population densities of the two species with narrow distribution show a decreasing trend. C. aktascii covers an area of 60.70 km2, while C. yaltirikii consists of a single population of 0.80 km2. IUCN category of C. aktascii was CR-B1ab (ii, iii, v) c (iv); C. yaltirikii's was determined as CR - B1ab (v) + 2ab (iii, v). Protandri is seen in both species, the flower has a female phase following the male phase. They are not compatible with themselves; they need a pollinator to pollinate. Pollen viability was calculated as 94.17% in male flower stage of C. aktascii, 85.59% in female flower stage, 61.50% in male flower stage of C. yaltirikii and 76.78% in female flower stage. Stigmas of both species are alive in two stages of the flower. C. yaltirikii seeds have germination barrier, C. aktascii seeds has no such problem. Factors threatening species are anthropogenic effects such as overgrazing, land use. As a result of climate change, it is predicted that some of the species' habitats will change. If species are not well preserved in the areas in which they are located and if they fail to migrate to the habitats that are suitable for them in the future, then extinction will be inevitable. In the light of the data obtained from our study, suggestions were made to protect the species.