The Low Revolutions per Minute Tumbler (LRPMT) is a new creation which is capable of providing better results in terms of minimum algae sedimentation as compared with other methods in literature. This device maintained the algae sample in suspension during the experiment allowing the grazers to ingest at a maximum rate. Even though the limitation affects the capability of the vessel to work perfectly, we recommended the new device as a suitable method to minimize algae sedimentation during zooplankton feeding experiments. The grazing rates of Daphnia carinata on five algae species (Microcystis flos-aquae, Ankistrodesmus falcatus, Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus, and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) were measured in order to understand the interaction between phytoplankton and zooplankton. Although various devices have been used to minimize algal sedimentation during experiments such as: a shaker, plankton wheel, a roller-tube device, and stirrer, reliable equipment is still uncertain and questionable.

Zooplankton plays a key role in aquatic environments maintaining clear water conditions at low predation pressure via grazing on phytoplankton; thus, they can be sensitive indicators of environmental disturbances. According to climate predictions, arid and semi-arid regions will become warmer, and a critical consequence for lake ecosystems is salinization. Salinity, a critical abiotic factor influencing zooplankton survival, changes the trophic interactions in a lake. We explored the potential effects of conductivity (an indirect measure of salinity) on the zooplankton taxa in three lakes located in the Konya Closed Basin, Turkey. Zooplankton taxa show significant differences between lakes of low and high conductivity but do not display significant seasonal difference except Cladocera. Species diversity is shown to decrease with conductivity. Large-sized cladocerans such as Daphnia and Simocephalus appear in freshwater lakes; conversely, the halobiont Brachionus plicatilis was observed only in the brackish lake. Our results show that the changes in salinity will have a substantial impact on aquatic ecosystems.

The Picea orientalis in the Orumcek forests are the tallest with the largest-diameter found in Turkey, Europe, and Caucasica. In this study, the vegetation and the epiphytic bryophytes of the Spruce in the Orumcek forests were investigated. Bryophyte specimens collecting from the Spruce tree trunks were evaluated and 26 bryophtes taxa (6 liverworts, 20 mosses) belonging to 17 families and 19 genera were identified. As a result of the evaluation of the releves taken from the Spruce trunks with the Braun-Blanquet method, the Dicrano scoparii - Hypnetum cupressiformis association and -sanionietosum uncinatae subassociation belonging to the Dicrano scoparii - Hypnion cupressiformis alliance was determined as being new to Turkey. The life forms and life strategies of the syntaxa were examined and analyzed in terms of the ecological and floristic values. Mat (Ma) and Cushion (Cu) are dominant in the association, Weft (We) is dominant in the subassociation of the life forms while, perennial styers with a high sexual reproductive effort (Ag) was determined as being dominant in both the association and subassociation. The most taxa of the floristic list were are also determimed as mesophytic, sciophyt, and subneutrophyt as a character.

Habitat and population properties of Erodium somanum with also changing these characters timely were investigated. Distribution soils of this species are slightly alkaline, without salt and generally limes structure, adequate for ferrous but poor for phosphor. Climate type is semi-arid upper Mediterranean especially winter is cool. Distribution area of population is approximately 5 km2. Population density calculated as 3.04. According to results of size and sexual dispersal of individuals, a total of 83% of plants in spreading area between 0 to 25 cm2 were determined not yet attained sexual mature. The ratio of sex index in population was 1.26, average of the demographic increase of the flowering season for each year was only 35%. We suggested this species to CR B1ab(i)+(iii) in endangered groups of IUCN criteria based on the data that obtained from population studies.

The aim of this study was to highlight the potential economic benefits of fisheries industrial waste silage by the dint of its ability to be recycled efficiently in animal feed. Fish silage was produced by acid hydrolysis. The fish silage was ripened and became half-liquid, at room temperature in 12 days. Its odour became less pungent and was deemed to have an acceptable malt smell. The silage cost was found to be 0.72 TL/kg. The results of this study established that, the use of silage instead of fish meal, reduces the cost of feed by 21%. Therefore fish waste products, previously considered as a refuse and causing environmental pollution, can be reintegrated into the economy.

Turkey has a great biodiversity which is threaten by many factors like climate changes, urbanization, overgrazing, and some conservation precautions should be taken. Therefore, the target species should be known in details. The objective of this study is to provide information about ecology, morphology, and the population density of Salsola grandis which is a local endemic species from Nallihan, Ankara. It prefers clayey saline alkaline soils with a semi-arid cold Mediterranean climate. During the field surveys between May 2010 and November 2011, the morphometrical measurements of vegetative and generative organs, and the edaphic characteristics were determined. The total number of individuals of the population was calculated as 436.612 over 48.5 × 10-4 km2. It was determined that the species has a high ratio of death, 55%, during the seedling period which may be the reason of the narrow distribution with the preference of special edaphic characteristics.

The aim of this study is to determine the antimicrobial activity of eight different commercial vegetable tanning extracts used in the leather industry against bacterial and fungal isolates from tannery processes such as beamhouse, tanning, and post-tanning processes. Two different concentrations (1% and 5%) of these extracts were used in order to determine their antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was assessed by the disc diffusion method. Nutrient Agar and Malt Extract Agar were used for growing the bacterial and fungal isolates respectively, each containing 0%, 5%, and 10% NaCl. It was observed that all of the extracts were more effective against the bacterial isolates than the fungal isolates. It was also seen that extracts IV, VII, and II were more effective against bacterial isolates growing on 0%, 5%, and 10% NaCl Nutrient Agar plates, respectively. Extracts I and II were found to be more effective against the fungal isolates growing on the Malt Extract Agar plates containing 10% NaCl, while no extracts had any antifungal effect on the NaCl-free and 5% NaCl plates.

Marxan, a complementarity based area selection software, was used to detect the priority protected areas for the Lesser Caucasus Ecoregion. Six taxonomic groups, endemic and non-endemic highly threatened plants, globally important amphibian and reptiles, butterflies, breeding birds, large mammals, and ecological communities were included in the analysis. Nineteen areas (planning units) were identified as priority protected areas among 336 planning units (UTM grids) of 10 x 10 km. The efficacy of the identified priority areas were measured with species representation. Also, distributions of the priority areas were compared with existing protected area systems of the study area. Results indicated that priority protected areas achieved higher than 70% species representation for taxonomic groups and distributions of priority areas were very consistent with existing protected area systems. The Marxan program produced compact complementary priority protected areas. These priority protected areas provided the maximum species representation for the study area. Moreover, results showed the importance of already existing protected areas and determined the need for new protected areas.

In the present study the effect of increasing the concentrations of the heavy metal cadmium (Cd) (0.1-200 ppm) on the free polyamines (PAs) level and laccase activity was studied in the white rot fungi Trametes (Coriolus) versicolor and Funalia trogii at 6 and 15 days. Spermidine (Spd) was the most abundant PA in the two white rot fungi, while Spermine (Spm), and Putrescine (Put) were found only in trace amounts or were not determined. The highest Spd levels (1952.05 μg/DW and 2391.54 μg/DW) were observed in 1 ppm Cd at 15 days of incubation in T. versicolor and F. trogii respectively. The laccase activity of both species, especially in the 15-day cultures, showed a significant increase compared to the control. The highest increase was evident at 100 ppm Cd where the laccase activity was over 19 fold higher than that of the control sample in the 15 day culture of T. versicolor. The dry biomass in the 0.1 and 1 ppm Cd concentrations showed a significant increase in T. versicolor in the six and 15 day incubation periods. In all cases, the dry biomass in both the six and 15 day cultures of F. trogii showed a significant increase compared to the control cultures. The findings gathered through this study show that Cd can amplify free Spd levels and increase laccase activity in T. versicolor and F. trogii. This increase under Cd stress suggests their possible role in combating

In this study, the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of Artemisia annua methanol extract on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa was investigated. The onion bulbs were exposed to 450, 900, 1350, and 1800 mg/mL concentrations of the extract for 3, 6, and 12 h. Distilled water was used as a negative control and ethyl methanesulfonate was used as a positive control. The test concentrations were determined according to the doses which are suggested for utilization in alternative medicine and it’s multiple. The occurring morphological changes such as reduction of root elongation and discoloration in the onion roots using the extract concentrations are as follows. The mitotic index was determined in both controls and test groups. Generally, the mitotic index decreased when increasing the extract concentration. The mitotic abnormalities were recorded as disturbed prophase, c-mitosis, vagrant chromosome, stickiness, going ahead chromosome, laggards, chromatid bridges, and fragment formation in the anaphase. In this manuscript, the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities, cell death, and impairments in the cell membrane by Artemisia annua extract has been indicated for the first time. Thus, the cytotoxic and genotoxic potency of A. annua extract with different tests were assessed by using the root tip cells of A. cepa, and the use of a determined