Investigation of periglacial processes, periglacial landforms and associated control factors over Uludağ

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the periglacial processes and periglacial landforms that were developed depending on these processes and their causative factors, the types of climatic variations that occurred in the area and the impacts of these variations that affect the periglacial processes and landforms over top of the alpine zone of the Mt. Uludağ. We can summarize main results of the study: (a) Garland, non-sorted circle, stone cluster, rock glacier, slope debris and stone pavement are dominant periglacial landforms, while freeze-thaw, strong physical decomposition and weak chemical weathering caused by freeze and thaw, slope wash, rock fall and wind erosion are dominant periglacial processes. (b) Distribution of periglacial process and landforms are closely associated with the distribution of Juniperus communis subsp. nana, marble as the material parent rock and slope properties of study area. (c) Circles dominate over flat and slightly flat areas where alpine plants are rare, while garlands are mainly seen on higher slopes. (d) Two types of the alpine plants (i.e., Festuca cyllenica and Festuca punctoria) play an important in for formation of garlands and non-sorted circles. (e) Slope debrises develop along cirque walls and are turned into rock glaciers in the cause of time.The following brief evaluations and foresights can be done according to the results of analysis in terms of climate variability: (a) The areas that are dominated by the periglacial process and landforms may narrow as a result of rise in upper line of forest and of expansion of Juniperus nana community because of the increased summer temperatures on summit region of the Mt. Uludağ. (b) Theoretically, decreasing tendencies in mean cloudiness time series may cause to increase in temperature differences between daytime and night time because of more Sunshine duration in daytime and increased long wave radiation at night time. Increase in daily temperature difference can also result in generally increased physical weathering and mass movements as well. (c) This situation can lead to physical break down on some periglacial landforms (e.g., garlands), while it can cause the development and expansion of some landforms (e.g., rock glaciers, talus deposits, etc.).