This study aimed at analyzing the diversity and ecological characteristics of forest associations (121 relevés classified under eight associations) in Küre Mountains National Park. Ordination analyses (DCA and CCA) and response curves were used to reveal ecological characteristics of vegetation using soil parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, sand, clay and dust content, soil moisture) and topographical variables (altitude, slope, potential direct incident radiation and heat load). Ecological conditions of communities were also tested using average Ellenberg indicator values (EIVs). Among forest associations, the highest species diversity was found in Phillyreo latifoliae-Pinetum brutiae and the lowest diversity in Hedero-Castanetum sativae, which had a dense Rhododendron ponticum shrub layer. However, Salicio-Platanetum orientale and Buxo sempervirens-Carpinetum betuli had the highest beta diversity since they harbored unique species composition. Conditional effects of altitude, slope, pH and electrical conductivity, soil dust and sand content, sandy-loam and loam soil types presented significant contributions in species composition. While Carpino-Quercetum petraeae was found on soil with high dust content having high pH and electrical conductivity values, Quercetum roburi-Aceretum campestri and Salicio-Platanetum orientale were related to soil with loam. Species responses to soil and topographical variables varied for most tree species. Light EIVs, which has a high positive correlation with potential direct incident radiation and heat load, related to Phillyreo latifoliae-Pinetum brutiae and Salicio-Platanetum orientale. Riverside forest communities differed from other communities in nutrient and humidity EIVs. However, EIVs did not show a good correlation with associated soil parameters such as soil moisture-humidity EIVs and soil pH-acidity EIVs.

In accordance with the Kyoto Protocol, countries prepare their national inventory reports (NIR) every year and present it to United Nations Secretariat of the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These statements are based on AFOLU Guideline (IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories for Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use). However, countries are required to produce parameters special to their own tree species in order to make more precise statements. The aim of this study was to determine to calculate both the carbon concentration of various components (needle, wood, bark, and root) of natural stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) and the weighted carbon concentration of above ground and total tree biomass. The study was conducted in natural stone pine forests in Marmara Region of Turkey. Samples were collected in 10 sampling plots that were at mature stage (dbh=20.0-51.9 cm) and had different site characteristics. Site characteristics of the sample plots were determined. Then, needle, wood, bark, and root samples were collected from 3 trees representing the top height in each sampling plot. Carbon analysis on plant samples collected from the sampling plots (10 plots × 3 replications × 4 components = 120 samples) was carried out in the laboratory. The obtained data were evaluated by using analysis of variance and Duncan test. Statistically significant differences were found between carbon concentrations of tree components (P<0.001). The lowest carbon concentrations were in needle (51.65%) and in roots (51.67%), while the highest carbon concentration was in wood (54.74 %) and in barks (54.93%). The weighted carbon concentration for natural stone pine forests were found to be 54.56% and 54.07% for the above-ground biomass and for the total tree biomass, respectively. The carbon concentrations found in this study can be used to calculate the carbon stocks stored in both trees and different components of trees in natural stone pine forests.

Aubrieta necmi-aksoyi is described as a new Turkish species endemic to Bolu Province. Its relationships to the closely related A. alshehbazii and A. ekimii are discussed. A detailed genereic description and a key to all Turkish species of Aubrieta are presented.

A new fern of Polystichum (Dryopteridaceae), P. asia-minoris, is described and illustrated from Horma Canyon in the borders of Küre Mountains National Park in Kastamonu Province located in the north of Turkey. Polystichum asia-minoris is distinguishable from the morphologically similar P. obliquum by having pinnae abaxially densely covered with broad-type microscales. It is not certain to which lineage the new species closely allied. The new species has extremely narrow distribution and is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) following IUCN Red List Criteria.

Plant specimens belonging to the Scutellaria genus of the Lamiaceae family were collected from Zonguldak (Ereğli), Bolu (Gölcük), Bartın (Ulus-Uluyayla), Kastamonu (Azdavay-Cide) and Sinop (Ayancık) provinces in the north of Turkey between 2018-2021. The collected plant samples were dried in accordance with herbarium techniques. After detailed herbarium studies and literature reviews, it was determined that this species does not take place in the flora of Turkey, and it is Scutellaria columnae All. With this new record added to the Scutellaria genus in our country, the number of taxa belonging to this genus in Turkey has increased to 41. In this study, there are descriptions, detailed photographs, and distribution areas of Scutellaria columnae, as a new species record for Turkey. With new studies to be carried out in different regions, it is thought that new endemic, natural and invasive species records will be added to the floristic richness of our country, which has not been fully revealed yet.