An Analysis on the Distribution of Maquis- Shrubland: Karabuk-Safranbolu Basin (Turkey)1

Karabük-Safranbolu basin is located in the Western Black Sea Region in the northwest of Turkey. The basin lies within 100 km from the coastline and is an important area, as it hosts Euro-Siberian and Mediterranean plants species. The focus of the study is maquis formation. Occupying a large place on the earth, Maquis communities are commonly distributed over the regions where the Mediterranean climate prevails. These regions are the Mediterranean Region, California, Chile, the Cape and Australia. Distribution of the Mediterranean plant species in the Euro-Siberian phytogeographic region, and vice versa, is related to climate changes and plant migration in the past. Karabük-Safranbolu basin sets a model for such distribution. The study aims to determine the maquis shrubland formation within the Karabük-Safranbolu basin and examine the vertical-lateral distribution patterns. The methodology is based on a regional approach. ArcGIS 10.3 was used for preparing cartographic materials. Within the scope of the study, certain maps of the region such as topographical, physical, slope, aspect, soil, geological, geomorphological and forest management maps were examined as the materials of the study as well as using some meteorological data. The elements of maquis shrubland in the region were detected through field surveys and their distribution patterns were addressed.


Introduction
Maquis formation spreads on a large area of the world surface. Maquis are located along with coniferous plant communities on Subtropical zone with prevailing Mediterranean climate. Maquis grow in bush form under Calabrian Pine (Pinus brutia) forest areas, expand rapidly in forest cleared land and turn into trees when preserved. Maquis are widely distributed in areas with seasonal and daily thermoperiodism, seasonal and limited precipitation and reduced plantation due to water stress. Therefore, maquis generally give rise to the dominant type of vegetation that is characterized by stiff, leathery and plumose leaves. (Schwarz, 1936;Dönmez, 1968Dönmez, , 1979Peşmen ve Oflas, 1971; Atalay, 1987Atalay, , 1988aAtalay, , 1988bAtalay, , 1992Atalay, , 2008Atalay, , 2014 Aydınözü, 2008; Efe, 2010; Allen; 2014, Atalay and Efe, 2015, Türkeş, 2015). Mediterranean climate is prevailed in the areas of Mediterranean basin, Australia, Chile, California and the Cape region of South Africa.
There are different names used to refer Maquis shrubland in different countries of the world. French word Maquis or congested bush is used for this shrubland biome in Corsica, while in Chile and Spain it is known as Mattoral in South Africa as Renosterveld, in California as "Chaparral" and in Turkey as Maki while in Mediterranean basin it is called as Maquis or Macchia. Dominant vegetation types in Mediterranean ecosystems include Temperate needleleaf forests broad leaf deciduous forests, maquis, garrigue and herbaceous.vegetation types. Maquis is wide spread under coniferous forests or underdeveloped soil profile of limestone parent rock.
The purpose of present research is to determine the elements of maquis formation that is widely distributed in Karabuk-Safranbolu basin and to evaluate its horizontal and vertical distribution in the basin. It is found that no single research has been done on distribution of maquis in Karabük-Safranbolu basin before, making the present study significant.. Besides, this study will contribute in providing new and contrasting evidences about types of maquis and their elevations on black sea http://www.ijSciences.com Volume 6 -June 2017 (06) 64 hinterland and thus strengthening the previous literature on the subject.

2.Field of study
Karabük-Safranbolu basin is located in in western part of Black sea region in northern Turkey. The basin lies within the boundary of Karabük province. The area of study extends from Araç district to Karabük central district in the east and from Ovacık district in the south to Eflani district in the north. The basin lengthens from northeast tosouthwest and widens from west to east ( Figure. 1).

Figure.1
The Location of Safranbolu.

Material and Method
This study is conducted in three stages. First stage involves desk study that includes review of existing literature and preparation of tables, graphs, climographs and maps. ArcGIS 10.3 software was used in preparation of maps.
Second stage includes field survey of the study area. Samples from six different points in Karabük-Safranbolu basin were taken during the study and evaluations were made.. the areas excluded from samples were also observed to determine any possibility of differences. Third stage includes desk study again where results were compiled after analysis of samples and field notes. Systematic and regional approach principles with method study were used in research methodology. Karabük-Safranbolu basin was formulated in tertiary period thus known as "Karabük-Safranbolu tertiary basin". Coşkun (2015) has described that Safranbolu tertiary basin comprises of sedimentation area with important lithologic structures like limestone and flysch.Moreover, it is also mentioned that stone stacks belongingg to 2nd and 3rd geological periods like shale, marl, claystone, siltstone, sandstone, conglomerate are also observed in the basin. The bases of basin were formed of flysh and metamorphite before the Eocene period. It is also mentioned that the inner part of the basin was formed by Nummulite accumulated limestone and clastic sedimentary rocks belonging to Lutetian period, quaternary alluvium and slope debris. Karabük-Safranbolu basin is a place surrounded by mountains with deposits of colluvial on foothills within which lies the wave like pattern of flat surfaces and even mesas cut off by the canyons in a monolithic appearance, with a view of terraces and river planes around Araç stream and antecedent valleys. Gradient of basin shows a descent from west to east. Moreover, gradient is more steep in the north and south of the basin whileit shows descent towards Araç stream that flows through the basin. North of Araç stream watercourse has southern aspect while south of the stream has northerner aspect. There are two big settlement areas within the basin that are Karabük and Safranbolu that is why the basin is known as Karabuk Safranbolu basin.Settlement of Karabük located in valley, while Safranbolu is located at a higher point of basin than Karabük.

Soil Characteristics
Alluvial soil is found around streams and stream beds while colluvial soil occurs in down slope the highlands in the basin. The other dominant soil group of the basin is brown forest soil which is widely spread. In their research on Atalay and Coşkun (2015) have mentioned about occurance of red Mediterranean soil that is formedon calcareous colluvial storages. After the analysis of soil profile samples taken from Safranbolu part of the basin it has been found that red Mediterranean soil and paleosol red Mediterranean soil are also present in this part of the basin. According to them the reasons of this type of soil formation include prevailing Mediteranean climate characterized by warm and arid summerand mild, moist winter season with less rainfall along with widespread presence of limestones in the area.. In addition, they have also described that occurrence of red Mediterranean soil in the region is not a sign for climatic change and both Paleosol and red Mediterranean soil profiles have same physical and chemical characteristics. and. It is argued that rock material carried from steep slopes by flood covered the red Mediterranean soil which transforms into soil profile similar to already occurred profile with the passage of time.

Climatic Characteristics
The

Maquis Components
After the analysis of samples taken from six different places during fieldwork, the maquis species are found widespread in the Karabuk-Safranbolu basin despite of the fact that it is located about 110 km from Black Sea coast. It is observed that maquis component is widespread on slopes with southern aspect in terms of species and density, while, on the slopes with northern aspect its occurrence found decreased and replaced by Euro-Siberian phytogeographical type of vegetation. The reason of the maquis growth on slopes with southern aspect is availability of long duration sunlight, as this plant require more sunlight for its growth.
First sampling area was located in northern part of the basin near Mencilis cave. This area is almost 700 m above sea level while bedrock is composed of limestone. The mostwide spread maquis type in this area is Sage leafed cistus (Cistus salviifolius), following are, Daphne leafed cistus (Cistus laurifolius), Phllyrea (Phillyrea latifolia), Juniperus (Juniperus oxycedrus), Sandalwood, Black pine (Paliurus spina-christi) and Sumac (Rhus coriaria). Presence of densely grownCistus in down slopes of the area provides evidence for a past forest fire. Phillyrea latifolia and Arbutus andrachne are more common species in the upper side of the area. Sandalwood trees with a height of 5 meter are found more densely grown at elevation of 820 meter are also identified in the area which are extended up to 1200 m., Types of plants are grown along with maquis components in bush form include White flowered hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Çoruh colutea bush (Colutea armena), Yellow flowered cornel wood (Cornus mas) and Daphne pontica.
The second sampling area was also located in northern part of the basin near Mencilis cave with southeast aspect. The area lies about 700 m above sea level with upper and lowerpart consisting of limestone and sandstone respectively. Most widespread kind of maquis in the area is Salvia leafed cistus (Cistus salviifolius) followingDaphne leafed cistus (Cistus laurifolius), phllyrea (Phillyrea latifolia), Juniperus oxycedrus, Sandalwood (Arbutus andrachne) and Blackthorn (Paliurus spina-christi). Juniperus oxycedrus with 3.5 meter length are also found at 800 meters along with sandal trees extended up to 1000m. Blackthorns (Pinus nigra) and Encinas (Quercus virgiliana) are also partly spread in the area.
Third sampling site was located in north of the basin with southwest aspect in north of Safranbolu district. The area is located about 800 m above sea level.
Sandalwood and Phillyrea are mostly widespread in the areas with low elevation and more humidity. Juniperus oxycedrus grows taller more than 2 metres in open areas but becomes shorter in the places dominated by pines and reduced sunlight duration. Blackthorn is also a widespread maquis component. It is propounded that Karabük settlement has received its name from this plant. The word Karabuk is made up of Kara (Black and Buk (Bush). Terebinth is a widespread maquis component in the area. Natural terebinths found in Safranbolu cemetery are never destructed and are grafted to turn them into pistachio garden nowadays. Safranbolu municipality provide bids every year to collect these nuts. However, there is a need to replace old pistachio plants with new ones. Besides many regrown terebinth plants also awaiting grafting. It is determined that cistus can spread fast on destructed or burned forest places but on other areas it accompany with maquis.
It is observed during the field work that maquis are being replaced by black pine in the areas where the trees are unable to sustain lithology. Therefore, it is suggested that it is better to preserve such area naturally instead of interfering in. Moreover, it is also suggested to educate the local people about grafting and promote the pistachio agriculture, thus contributing in local economy.