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Among the heavy metals (HMs) whose concentrations in natural environments have risen considerably in the last era, chromium (Cr) is one of the most toxic. Because of the risks it poses to human and environmental health, it is of great importance to screen the variation in Cr contamination in the atmosphere and decrease the pollution. This study aimed to determine the proper tree species that can be used to monitor and reduce Cr contamination. For this aim, studies were conducted on Tilia tomentosa, Robinia pseudoacacia, Cedrus atlantica, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Fraxinus excelsior species growing in Düzce, which is among the 5 most contaminated European towns according to the World Air Pollution report. Samples taken from these trees were examined, and changes in Cr concentration depending on species, organs, compass direction, and age range in the last 60 years were evaluated. Results indicated higher Cr pollution in recent years, consistent with higher traffic density, but that there was no consistent effect of compass direction. It was also determined that the tree species most appropriate for screening the variation in Cr contamination in the airborne were Tilia tomentosa, and the most appropriate species for decreasing pollution were Robinia pseudoacacia and Cedrus atlantica.

Global climate change poses significant threats to ecosystems worldwide, particularly impacting long-lived forest tree species such as Pinus nigra. This study assessed the potential shifts in distribution areas for Pinus nigra, an important tree species, one highly vulnerable to global climate change, given its prevalence in continental climates, in Türkiye under different climate scenarios (SSPs 585 and 245). In this study, suitable distribution regions of Pinus nigra were evaluated based on SSPs 585 and SSPs 245 using nine different models. Results indicated potential losses in Pinus nigra distribution areas ranging from 15.0% to 43.5% (SSPs 245) and 19.7% to 48.9% (SSPs 585) by 2100. However, in 2100, new suitable distribution areas are expected to be formed at rates ranging from 13.8% to 32.1% and 15.1% to 34.4% according to the above scenarios. Because most of the newly formed suitable distribution regions are quite far from the areas where the species currently spreads, it seems necessary to provide the migration mechanism needed by the species by humans to prevent population losses in this process.

Global climate change (GCC) is defined as a process that is considered the most crucial problem of the current century and will affect all living things and ecosystems in the world. In order to specify the potential impacts of this phenomenon, which does not seem possible to stop, it is necessary first to predict the change in climate types. Therefore, the current study aimed to define the shift of climate classifications (according to De Martonne, Erinç, and Emberger climate category) in 2040, 2060, 2080, and 2100 for Bursa, one of the largest cities in Türkiye, according to the SSPs 245 and SSPs585 scenarios, and compare it with its current situation. As a result, it was determined that the climate types in Bursa province would change significantly and primarily manifest as a shift into arid climate types. It is recommended to take precautions on a sectoral basis to avoid the devastating effects of GCC.

Morphological measurements of Anatolian chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) leaves were done within the borders of Abana district of Kastamonu province. The study was conducted using mixed (oak, beech, hornbeam, black pine, and yellow pine) medium (41% to 70%) and fully closed (71% to 100%) stands. Some leaf parameters, such as leaf blade width, petiole length, leaf blade length, leaf length, distance between lateral veins, teeth width, teeth length, the angle between the leaf base and the petiole, and the angle between the midrib and lateral veins, were measured. Moreover, stomata of the leaves picked up from precise altitudes were observed under a scanning electron microscope. The differences between fibre elevation, fibre wall thickness, elasticity coefficient, rigidity coefficient, Muhlstep rate, and Runkel ratio were found in the wood samples taken from different altitude zones. It was found that altitude did not affect leaf blade width, fibre length, fibre width, felting ratio, and lumen width. However, it was determined that altitude affected other studied characteristics.

In this study, the usability of Black Pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.) in both monitoring the changes in the concentrations of silver, selenium, antimony, and thallium (Ag, Se, Sb, and Tl), which are highly harmful to human health and environment as well as the ecosystem, and in reducing pollution is investigated. These elements, due to their potential hazards, are included in both the EPA's and ATSDR's priority pollutant lists. In the study, annual rings of a Pinus nigra tree, cut in 2023 and identified to be 356 years old through annual ring counting, were grouped into ten-year intervals, and then the changes in these heavy metals throughout the process were tried to be determined by analysing the concentrations of these elements. Additionally, the relationship of these elements with other elements was also identified in the scope of the study. The study results suggested that Pinus nigra was not a suitable bio-monitor for monitoring the changes in Ag, Se, Sb, and Tl concentrations but was a highly suitable species for phytoremediation studies aimed at reducing the pollution of these elements. Moreover, it was determined that the relationships of the studied elements with essential nutrients such as Mg, Ca, P, K, Al, Zn, Ni, Fe were not statistically significant and were very weak, whereas they exhibited positive and very strong relationships with elements known to be highly harmful for health such as V, Pb, and As.

Nowadays, the applications of nanotechnology are increasing in various fields such as information technology, energy, the medical sector, and agriculture. Nanotechnology has proved its ability to solve problems in agriculture and related industries. Establishing the impact of nanoparticles on various ecosystems has become a primary research topic, but studies on forest ecosystems and trees are quite limited. This study examined the effects of silver nanoparticles on the germination parameters of oriental beech seeds and established their toxic threshold values. Silver nanoparticles were applied at concentrations of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mg/L to oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) seeds collected from 10 different populations in order to identify the germination rate, germination percentage, seedling height, root collar diameter, plumula length, radicle thickness, and radicle length parameters. The results revealed that silver nanoparticles have a negative effect on germination and seedling parameters of oriental beech seeds, and that this effect is clearly seen in the germination rate at 20 mg/L levels and in seedling characters starting from 60 mg/L dose, causing a decrease of 13% in germination rate, 24% in germination percentage, 40% in plumula length, and 30% in radicle length. The Kahramanmaras-Andirin population was found to be the most affected by nanoparticles, while the Bursa-Inegol and Ordu-Akkus populations were the least affected.

Plants’ ability to perform the expected functions depends on their ability to grow and develop healthily. Environmental factors shape plant growth, and nutrients are one of the most main features a&ecting plant development. Magnesium, one of the macronutrients for plants, is necessary for plant growth and development. It is also one of the essential heavy metals, and it is critical to watch the change in its concentration in the air regarding human and environmental health. This study aimed to reach information about the change of magnesium concentration in some trees based on species and organs as well as its transfer after it is taken into the plant. In addition, it is aimed to observe the variation of magnesium contamination in the air and to determine the species that can be used to reduce pollution. For this purpose, log samples from Cedrus atlantica, Pinus pinaster, Picea orientalis, Cupressus arizonica, and Pseudotsuga menziesii trees were used. As a result, it has been shown that the transfer of magnesium concentration in the wood of the studied species is limited. While the highest magnesium accumulation was obtained in Cupressus arizonica species, the highest concentrations were obtained in the outer bark and the lowest in the inner bark as the plant organ. In addition, it has been determined that the magnesium concentration in the air is related to the tra'c density

Urban pollution, which reduces the quality of life of residents and poses a vital threat to human health, can be reduced by effective city planning. Pollution due to heavy metals is increasing in today's cities, and these heavy metals are of particular concern because as they do not naturally decompose on earth, they can bioaccumulate in the human body and cause serious diseases. It is, however, possible to reduce exposure to pollutants through making spatial decisions. The research aims to determine the variation of concentrations of Mn by location, which is greatly affected by the poor air quality caused by traffic density. Within the scope of the study, the following species were analyzed: Robinia pseudoacacia, Platanus orientalis, Acer negundo, Fraxinus excelsior, Ailanthus altissima, Aesculus hippocastanum, and Tilia tomentosa. Samples were taken from Ulus, the traditional center of the political capital of Ankara, and Kızılay, its modern center. Although the two areas of research are close to each other, the traffic density had increased due to the current planning decisions in Kızılay, while Ulus was chosen as a region with relatively low vehicle density due to its historical structure. It was found that four wood species have higher values in their leaves and wood, and five wood species have higher values in their bark in the Kızılay region, as compared to Ulus. This demonstrates that motor vehicles have a significant effect in Kızılay. In addition, the values of the leaves and bark of the same wood are higher in Kızılay than Ulus. It has therefore been determined that A.negundo and F. excelsior are suitable species for use in urban planting design to monitor the concentrations of heavy elements in the air.

Seed orchards with high hereditary qualities and the improvement studies used are of great importance. This study was carried out on individuals in a Boyabat grafted black pine seed orchard, Sinop. The morphological and micromorphological measurements of the characteristics were performed on needle samples taken from individuals, and the genetic diversity was determined on a clonal basis. According to the analysis of variance applied to the data obtained from the measurements and the morphological and micromorphological characters of the clones, it was determined that there was a significant difference among the clones at the P

Günümüzde insan ve çevre sağlığını tehdit eden en önemli problemlerin başında hava kirliliği gelmektedir. Hava kirliliğinin pek çok bileşeni bulunmakla birlikte, bunlar arasında ağır metaller ayrı bir öneme sahiptir. Bunun sebebi ağır metallerin bazılarının düşük konsantrasyonlarda bile toksik olmaları, canlılar için besin elementi olan birçok ağır metalin bile yüksek konsantrasyonlarda zararlı olmaları, canlı bünyesinde biyobirikme eğiliminde olmaları, doğada kolay kolay bozulmamaları ve bunlara ek olarak sanayi ve trafik kaynaklı olarak havadaki konsantrasyonlarının sürekli artmasıdır. Bundan dolayı özellikle trafiğin yoğun olduğu, sanayi faaliyetlerinin yürütüldüğü ve nüfusun yoğun olduğu alanlar gibi riskli alanlarda havadaki ağır metal konsantrasyonlarının izlenmesi büyük önem taşımaktadır. Bu çalışmada da, Samsun kent merkezinde yetiştirilen ve peyzaj çalışmalarında sıklıkla kullanılan; Tilia tomentosa, Aesculus hippocastanum, Ligustrum vulgare ve Catalpa bignoides türlerinin, trafiğin yoğun olduğu, az yoğun olduğu ve hemen hemen hiç olmadığı alanlarda yetişen bireylerinde Cr konsatrasyonlarının değişimleri belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Çalışma kapsamında bitkilerden yaprak, kabuk ve odun örnekleri toplanmış, kabuk ve yapraklarda ayrıca yıkama işlemi uygulaması da yapılmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda, çalışmaya konu türlerde Cr konsantrasyonlarının tür, organ ve trafik yoğunluğu bazında önemli ölçüde değiştiği belirlenmiştir.

In this study, it was aimed to identify the change in some micromorphological characters in Prunus laurocerasus L. leaves obtained from 6 different provinces located in the areas where different climate types are dominant, depending on their habitat. In this regard, the leaf samples were collected from Prunus laurocerasus L. individuals in the provinces of Rize, Samsun located in the areas including the European-Siberian, Irano-Turanian and Mediterranean phytogeographical regions. The leaf epidermis images were obtained with the help of SEM on the collected leaf samples, and the required measurement procedures were performed on these images with the help of “Image J” measurement program. By measurements performed on the leaf epidermis surface, Stoma Length (µm), Stoma Width (µm), Pore length (µm), Pore width (µm) and Stoma Density (in an area of 1 mm2) measured such as micromorphological characters. The data obtained were subjected to the Variance analysis and Duncan’s test, and the change in these characters depending on their habitat was statistically evaluated. At the end of the study, it was determined that there were statistically significant differences at the confidence level of minimum 95% among the conditions of the habitat in terms of all characters except for the stomatal width.

Günümüzde insan ömrünün en az %80’i kapalı mekanlarda geçmekte ve bu kapalı mekanlardaki iç ortam hava kalitesi insanların sağlıklarını ve performanslarını doğrudan etkilemektedir. Özellikle CO2 miktarı belirli seviyelerin üzerine çıktığında baş ağrısı, baş dönmesi, yorgunluk, konsantrasyon bozuklukları, boğaz ve burun tahrişi, burun akıntısı, öksürük ve göz akıntıları gibi pek çok rahatsızlığa sebep olmaktadır. İç ortamdaki CO2 miktarını etkileyen en önemli faktör canlı metabolik faaliyetleridir. Solunumla artan CO2 miktarı fotosentezle azalmaktadır. Dolayısıyla iç mekanlarda bitkiler CO2 miktarını azaltmak amacıyla kullanılabilir. Ancak bitkilerin iç ortamdaki hava kalitesine etkisi konusunda yeterli bilgi bulunmadığından, bitkiler iç ortamdaki CO2 miktarını azaltmak konusunda etkin ve bilinçli bir şekilde kullanılamamaktadır. Bu çalışmada iç mekan süs bitkisi olarak en sık kullanılan bitkilerden birisi olan difenbahyanın (Dieffenbachia amoena Gentil) iç ortamdaki CO2 miktarına etkisinin sıcaklığa bağlı olarak değişiminin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda difenbahyanın karanlık ortamda yaptığı solunumun sıcaklığa bağlı olarak önemsiz düzeyde olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ancak ışık bulunan ortamda en yüksek etkiyi 23-24℃ sıcaklıklarda gösterdiği, 30°C sıcaklıktaki fotosentez hızının, 20°C dekinden düşük ancak 15°C dekinden daha yüksek olduğu belirlenmiştir.

Günümüzde şehirlerde yaşayan insanların yaşamlarının en az % 80’i kapalı ortamlarda geçmekte, kapalı mekanların hava kalitesi insanların sağlıklarını ve performanslarını doğrudan etkilemektedir. Karbondioksit iç mekanlarda canlı aktivitelerine bağlı olarak miktarı hızla değişen bir gazdır. İç mekandaki CO2 miktarı 1000 ppm i geçtiğinde baş ağrısı, yorgunluk, algılama güçlüğü, uyku hali, bu durumun sürekliliği sonucunda da çeşitli sağlık problemleri ortaya çıkmaktadır. İç mekanlarda genellikle estetik amaçlı olarak yetiştirilen iç mekan bitkileri, bulundukları ortamlardaki ışık ve sıcaklık başta olmak üzere iç ortam şartlarına bağlı olarak fotosentez veya solunum yapmakta ve iç ortamdaki karbondioksit miktarını doğrudan etkilemekte, bunun sonucu olarak da bu bitkilerle aynı ortamda bulunan insanlar da ortamdaki değişen karbondioksit miktarından etkilenmektedir. Bitkilerin iç ortam hava kalitesini ve özellikle karbondioksit miktarını etkiledikleri bilinmekle birlikte bu etkinin hangi düzeyde olduğu ve gün içindeki değişimine ilişkin yeterli bilgi bulunmamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, iç ortamlarda yetiştirilen bazı süs bitkilerinin, iç ortamdaki karbondioksit miktarını gün ışığına bağlı olarak nasıl değiştirdiğinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla seçilen üç adet iç mekan süs bitkisi hava giriş çıkışı bulunmayan kontrollü ortamlarda 24 saatlik süreç içerisinde izlenmiştir. Bu ortamda her 5 dakikada bir yapılan ölçümlerle, ortamdaki CO2 miktarının gün ışığına bağlı olarak değişimi belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır.

Günümüzde bitkiler kent bileşenlerinin vazgeçilmez unsurlarıdır. Özellikle endüstrileşmenin yoğun baskısı altında olan kentlerde, yaşam kalitesinin iyileştirilmesine yönelik açık-yeşil alanlara, dolayısı ile bitkilere tarihin hiçbir döneminde olmadığı kadar ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Doğanın bir parçası olan insanın yeşile olan özlemi, peyzaj çalışmalarını modern yaşamın önemli bir parçası durumuna getirmiş, bitkilerin yoğun olarak kullanıldığı peyzaj düzenlemeleri modern yaşamın ve medeniyetin önemli bir göstergesi olarak kabul edilmeye başlamıştır. Kentlerde bitkilerin kent ekosistemine; hava kirliliğini önleme, sıcaklığın dengelenmesi ile enerji tasarrufu sağlama, nem sağlama, fauna ve floraya yaşam ortamı hazırlama, gürültüyü azaltma, rüzgar, toz ve sera etkilerini azaltma, ışık yansımalarını önleme gibi pek çok katkıları bulunmaktadır.. Özellikle hava kalitesi ile bitkilerin ilişkisi konusunda bilinç düzeyinin artmasının bir sonucu olarak, yeşil alan ve ormanlık alan miktarı fazla olan şehirler, yaşam kalitesi yüksek şehirler olarak görülmeye ve yaşamak için tercih edilmeye başlamıştır. Ancak, bu kadar olumlu katkıları yanında bitkilerin, çevre kirliliğine sebep olma, polen kirliliği, zehirli meyve ve tohumlar üretme, insanlar için zararlı hayvanlara barınak ve besin sağlama gibi çeşitli olumsuz etkileri de bulunmaktadır. Ancak yapılan çalışmaların neredeyse tamamı, bitkilerin kent ekosistemine olumlu etkileri konusunda yoğunlaştığından, bitkilerin olumsuz etkileri konusunda yeterli düzeyde çalışma yapılmamış ve bu durum pek çok bitkinin yanlış kullanımı sonucunu doğurmuştur. Bu çalışmada, peyzaj çalışmalarında sıkça kullanılan ve kent ekosistemlerine önemli katlkılar sağlayan bitkilerin, insan yaşamı üzerine olumsuz etkileri belirlenmeye çalışılmış, bu olumsuzluklara sebep olan özelliklere sahip bitkiler ve bu bitkilerin yanlış kullanımları Kastamonu kent merkezi örneğinde incelenmiştir.

Pinus brutia Ten., Red pine, known to be tough drought resistant pine specie, could effectively be used for afforestation of disturbed areas. It is of great interest for the afforestation in arid zones. Appropriate seed sources for the specific areas guarantees reforestation success. Away from its native areas Pinus brutia Ten. is planted for its ornamental value and timber production purposes. Selection of drought resistant provenances can very well increase the survival success. In this study, the effects of water potential on germination were studied in fourteen provenances of Pinus brutia Ten. from Turkey. Water potentials between 0 and -8 bars were obtained using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG-6000) solutions. Seeds were kept for 35 day at 20 ± 0.5°C. A decrease in water potential produced a marked reduction in germination percentage and germination value. As a result, significant variations between the provenances were found. It was determined that, under a -8 bar water stress, Isparta-Bucak and Mersin-Silifke, respectively corresponding to 58% and 57% of the control group, were the least water stress affected provenances.

Effects of Fe-based nanoparticles (Fe2O3 and Fe3O4) on germination parameters were studied for some seedling characteristics of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) seeds. Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 nanoparticle applications were made at concentrations of 400, 800, 1200, 1600, and 2000 mg/L on Fagus orientalis seeds collected from 10 different populations, and some germination and seedling characteristics were evaluated. Preliminary results generally indicated that low-dose nanoparticle applications positively affected germination and seedling characteristics, while increases in doses led to decreases in these parameters. Values obtained from high-dose nanoparticle applications were generally lower than those from the control group. The iron nanoparticles affected the parameters to different extents, Fe2O3 nanoparticles showed a significant positive effect on germination rate and radicle length, while exhibiting a significant negative effect on germination percentage and plumule length. The populations least affected by high-dose iron nanoparticle applications were Bursa Inegol, Karabuk-Yenice, and Ordu Akkus, while the most affected were the Bartin-Kumluca and Kahramanmaras-Andirin populations.

The present study aims to determine the current distribution areas of Fagus orientalis Lipsky and the changes in suitable distribution areas due to global climate change within the borders of Kastamonu Forest Regional Directorate of Forestry. In the present study, the current suitable distribution areas of Fagus orientalis and the suitable distribution areas in the years 2040, 2070, and 2100 according to socioeconomic pathway 126, socioeconomic pathway 370, and socioeconomic pathway 585 scenarios were determined. The study results indicate that the suitable distribution areas of Fagus orientalis populations in Kastamonu will change depending on the effects of climate change and that the change will be in the form of an increase in general.

Yew tree (Taxus baccata L.) is mainly populated in Türkiye, Europe, and Caucasia regions. It has natural anticancer compounds and is a source of raw materials used in modern medicine. The present study aimed to examine the taxol contents of yew trees naturally grown in Marmara and Western Black Sea regions by subjecting needle samples taken from 17 yew populations to extraction and liquid chromatography tandem mass / mass spectrometer system (LC-MS/MS) analysis. It was also examined whether a relationship exists between some stand characteristics and taxoid contents of the needles. From these analyses, the highest taxol contents were found in Bartın-Gölderesi, Yığılca-Kurtkayası, İnebolu-Karagöl, and Yenice-Kızılkaya populations. The statistical analyses showed that there were significant relationships between compound contents and slope, humus content, total nitrogen content (%), and potassium (K). It is recommended to use these derivatives obtained from natural forests in sapling nursing and tissue culture studies, to produce pharmaceutical materials from leaves and protect and improve the current gene sources.

One of the most critical problems throughout the world is air pollution, causing the death of millions of individuals annually, and it is reported that 90% of the global population breathes polluted air. Among the components of air pollution, the most harmful ones are the heavy metals, which can remain non-degraded in nature for a long time, bio-accumulate in living organisms, and be toxic or carcinogenic at low concentrations. Hence, monitoring and reducing heavy metal pollution in the air are high-priority research topics. Heavy metals can accumulate within various organs of plants grown in an environment with an increased level of heavy metal pollution. The metal analyses on these organs can provide insight into the heavy metal pollution in the air. In the present study, the concentrations of aluminum (Al), one of the most important heavy metals, were determined in the different organs of five plant species grown in regions with different traffic densities. Remarkable changes were observed in the Al concentrations in all the organs of species, which were examined here by organ and traffic density. The highest values were obtained from the organs of plants grown in no-traffic regions.