Halophytic Species in Natural Areas Close to Agricultural Areas of Araban (Gaziantep, Turkey)

Abstract

As a result of the global warming caused by increasing industrialization, changes in vegetation have occurred on the earth. Halophyte species have been observed in many areas including native vegetation and agricultural land due to increased drought and warming and also over irrigation during formation of secondary vegetation. Soil samples were taken seasonally from selected three areas (Timurlenk, Karapinar and Fakili) in Araban (Gaziantep Turkey) and the pH, electrical conductivity (EC), lime (CaCO3), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca) analyzes were performed in this samples. In addition, the presence of taxa known to be halophytes in these areas has been investigated. As a result of the analyses, it was found that there was no seasonal difference (p > 0.05), but there were significant differences between lime (CaCO3), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) among the localities (p Alhagi pseudoalhagi M. Bieb. was found in Timurlenk and Karapinar, Salsola kali spp. ruthenica Iljin was found in Timurlenk and Juncus inflexus L. was found in Timurlenk, Karapinar, Fakili. Although the soil is not salty, the presence of three different taxa that can tolerate the salt in three localities shows that the amount of salt in the soil may increase in time. The information presented in this study contributes to the salinization of soils and their effects on agriculture in the region.