Tez özetleri Astronomi ve Uzay Bilimleri Anabilim Dalı

Macroinvertebrate Population Dynamics in Ortadere Research Watersheds

Numerous problems are observed in watersheds in Turkey and around the world including erosion, torrents, floods, landslides, pollution and also socio-economic disorder. Most of these problems are directly or indirectly associated with human interventions. Human influences are limited in Belgrad Forest and therefore most of these problems are not severely observed. This “close to natural” condition makes Belgrad Forest a very suitable place for experiments as a reference area.

Many environmental monitory studies have been conducted considering biological parameters as indicators for detecting human interruptions on urban streams. In this study, we work in a protected forest and the only human impact on this forest is acid deposition observed in winter months.

In this study, macroinvertebrate diversity and pollution Dynamics were identified and the factors affecting them were put forward. Monthly observations, identification, and measurements provided knowledge related to the distribution and population dynamics of macroinvertebrates in the study area.

This study is the first study to relate macroinvertebrates with watershed hydrology in Turkey. Qualitative and quantitative distributions of benthic macroinvertebrates were identified with samples collected monthly from stream cross sections in Ortadere experimental watersheds in Belgrad Forest.

A total of 11 groups in 15 species were determined. These consisted of 80,7% Gammarus pulex, 4,06% Gerris sp, 4,06% Heptagenia sulphurea, 1,25% Calopteryx splendes and 11,18% other invertebrates.