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Silva Balcanica, no.1, pp.25-34, 2001 (Scopus)
Turkey has very rich in terms of several ecosystems and/or habitats in which various types of flora and fauna are found. These properties of Turkey depend on its geographical latitude, different climatic regions, mountainous topographical conditions. Turkey's forests can be divided into three main forest ecologic systems in terms of floristic composition, forest productivity and climatic properties: Black Sea humid temperate and cold region, Mediterranean subhumid-semiarid region and Semiarid continental region. Black Sea humid temperate and cold region covers the northern part of Turkey. The coastal belt of the region includes broad-leaved deciduous forests, which are composed of Fagus orientalis, Alnus sp., Tilia sp., Castanea sp. and it contains rich undergrowth herbaceous. The foggy higher part of the Northern Anatolian mountains is covered with pine forests, which are associated with Picea orientalis (Eastern part of the North Anatolian mountains), Pinus sylvestris, Abies sp. and Pinus nigra. The tectonic depression and deep valleys extending southern section of the region are the main occurrence areas of some Mediterranean shrubs. Mediterranean subhumid-semiarid region covers the western and southern part of the Anatolia. The lower belt of this region is the main occurrence area of the Pinus brutia forests and maquis vegetation. Maquis is widespread in places where Pinus brutia forests have been destroyed and degenerated. Maquis vegetation can be considered as secondary vegetation in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The upper part of the Aegean region is covered with Pinus nigra. But Taurus Mountains or oro-Mediterranean belt is the main growth area of the Cedrus libani, Pinus nigra and Abies cilicica. Semiarid continental region covering the inner parts of Anatolia and Thrace is the main occurrence area of the dry forests, which are associated with Quercus, Juniperus, some Pinus nigra and Pinus sylvestris. Steppe vegetation appears in the lower part of this region. The upland encircling Inner Anatolia is mostly covered with oaks. Productive oaks forests are common on the Southeastern Taurus Mountains. Pure Pinus sylvestris communuties are found in the northeastern part of the Anatolia.