Browsing by Author "Savaci, G."

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Effect of drought and soil heavy metal contamination on three maple species: a case study of Kastamonu University campus in Türkiye
(2024.01.01) Savaci, G.; Ünal, S.; Çelik, E.N.Y.; Karadeniz, M.
This study investigated the effects of heavy metals and drought on tree drying in three maple species located in the Kastamonu Campus in northwestern Turkiye. Soil samples were taken from 0-30 cm depth under maple species, and some soil properties were analyzed. The standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index was calculated for the drought impression using 71 years of climate data. The severe drought has had its effect (1.516) since August 2020. There was an extreme drought in January and February 2021 (-2.032 and -2.076, respectively), and this drought effect lasted until August as a severe drought. Chromium concentration at maple species was almost twice higher than the Maximum Allowable Limit for Turkiye (> 100 mg kg(-1)). The highest nickel concentration was found under Acer pseudoplatanus (97.25 mg kg(-1)) and Acer negundo (108.13 mg kg(-1)). The sampling sites were nonsignificant for copper (p = 0.806), lead (p = 0.916), and zinc (p = 0.866) heavy metals. Phyllosticta minima and Phyllactinia marissallii were detected in maple trees. In conclusion, it is understood that drought and heavy metal accumulation (chromium, nickel) in the soil affect tree drying. Physiological drought was first seen in trees due to the lack of rainfall in 2020. Soils were contaminated with heavy metals, and finally, diseases were seen. These results show that adverse climate events due to global climate change will have a negative impact on the growth and development of maple species, as their severity is expected to increase in the next few years.
Effects of Soil Compaction on Vegetation and Soil Physicochemical Properties in Recreational Areas: A Case Study of Kastamonu
(2024.01.01) Savaci, G.; Abokdar, K.M.M.
Aim of study: This study investigated the possible effects of soil penetration resistance on soil properties and tree physiology in recreational area soils. Area of study: It was studied in A9ik Maslak and Kadidagi recreational areas in Kastamonu. Material and methods: Some soil properties were determined in 395 soil samples from park, road, control, and picnic areas in each recreational area. At 61 points, soil penetration resistance was measured with a penetrometer. Some physiological properties were determined in fresh needle samples of 42 trees. Main results: Soil penetration resistance in the control ranges from 1.6 MPa to 2.1 MPa, with medium compaction, while in other-use areas with high compaction ranged from 2.03 MPa to 3.75 MPa. The soil penetration resistance linearly decreased with increasing organic matter and permeability values. In contrast, the soil penetration resistance increased linearly with increasing soil bulk density. Additionally, the effects of all of tree's physiological properties on soil penetration resistance were not found to be statistically significant (P>0.05). Research highlights: Depending on soil use, it was observed that soil penetration resistance was less effective for organic matter, permeability, bulk density and soil moisture content. However, some chemical compounds in trees did not show a significant trend in soil penetration resistance. Our findings show that moderate to high compaction in recreational area soils often significantly affects visitor density or trampling by visitors, which can lead to soil degradation.
Light transmittance and understory junipers influence the survival and growth of seedlings and litter decomposition in black pine forests
(2023.01.01) Kara, F.; Çiftci, A.; Savaci, G.
Previous studies examining the influence of understory shrubs and light transmittance through the canopy (LT) (%) on seedling establishment of desired species and litter decomposition have reported inconsistent findings. Uncertainty still also remains about the effects of understory junipers (Juniperus oxycedrus L. subsp. oxycedrus) and LT on survival and growth of black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold.) seedlings as well as on litter decomposition across species' geographical range. Thus, this study aimed to examine the influence of understory junipers and LT on the growth and survival of black pine seedlings. Moreover, how junipers and LT affect litter decomposition was also monitored for eighteen months. Survival and growth of seedlings were most significantly affected by LT and understory junipers. LT and junipers negatively affected the survival of black pine seedlings. LT increased root-collar diameter (RCD) growth of the seedlings, while the RCD growth rate decreased with the presence of understory junipers. Moreover, the influences of LT and junipers on litter mass loss were mainly statistically significant; the presence of junipers and increasing LT in understory retarded litter decomposition. The findings may help our knowledge of ecological processes such as litter decomposition and seedling establishment in black pine forests. The results would also provide important guidance for evaluating the effects of overstory thinning (i.e., providing light to understory) and removing junipers on the ecological processes associated with litter decomposition and seedling recruitment in a black pine stand.