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The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact that oil and gas sector has on the global competitiveness of the economies of the countries of the Black Sea Region, measured by the Global Competitiveness Index, with the use of unbalanced panel data techniques for the period from 2006 to 2015. Factors concerning oil and gas sector as fuel exports, oil and gas prices, oil rents, and governance are used as independent variables. Both fixed and random effects models are estimated, and the validity of these models is assessed with the use of Hausman test. Our results are discussed and compared to relevant literature concerning other oil and gas producing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a review of the up to date knowledge about the coastal environmental transformations around the Greek settlements along the present-day Romanian shoreline. The aim is to define a general pattern of the morphological configuration the Greeks were looking for when establishing their colonies. Existing quantitative and qualitative database on shoreline evolution both along the low lying deltaic sector (N) and along the soft rock cliffs along the southern sector of the present-day Romanian coast together with the present day morphological configuration analysis at each study site were used to assess large spatial (~180 km alongshore) and temporal scales (ca. 2500 yrs) of coastal behavior. The coastal dynamics during the late Holocene was controlled by the deltaic lobes development along the northern part of the present day Romanian coast which led to important shoreline progradation and subsequent isolation from the shoreline of Histria and Orgame Greek cities. The continuous sediment input depletion, sea level rise, storms set-up, longshore transport system and local tectonic activity drove the cliff line retreat along the southern sector, with important parts of the Tomis and Kallatis settlements being lost to the sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of human uses, especially the urbanization and economic activities in the coastal zone have transformed the coastal erosion from a natural phenomenon into a growing problem. The paper aims to analyze and present several important aspects of the influence of the anthropic factors on the coastal erosion along the Romanian Black Sea coast, attempting to answer the following question: what is the framework of development that the coastal zone of the Black Sea could access in order to diminish as far as possible the coastal erosion? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses some features in Freesia refracta pigment system and possible use of this option as a plant diagnostic characteristic on the resistance in limiting environments. The study included freesia cultivars and hybrid forms selected in the Russian Research Institute of Horticulture and Subtropical Crops, which had different flowering terms. A detailed analysis was provided on any changes in the photosynthetic pigments content during the growing process. There are parameters of slow chlorophyll fluorescence induction (vitality index, ratio of photosynthetic activity and estimated coefficient of photosynthetic activity) in the leaves of different cultivars and hybrid forms. In order to determine the dependences between photosynthetic pigments content and parameters of slow chlorophyll fluorescence induction in freesia cultivars and hybrid forms pair correlation coefficient; it was calculated between these features among all hybrids and cultivars in general. The relationship recorded between optical indicators, and structural features of the pigment system will allow us to develop a method of rapid diagnosis of photosynthetic activity in freesia on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the morphological characteristics and length-weight relationships of Sciaena umbra (Linnaeus, 1758) belonging to the Sciaenidae family, which is represented by five species in the Mediterranean basin and two species in the Black Sea, were investigated. Sampling was carried out in the Black Sea Region (Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon) between March 2019 and February 2020. A total 54 of individuals were sampled and 15 different metric measurements were performed in each sample to determine their morphological characteristics. The mean total length and weight were estimated as 357.8 mm (117-580) and 845.3 g (16.4-2485.1), respectively. Total length was compared with morphometric characters and the lowest ratio was found with eye diameter (4.3%) and the highest ratio was with anal distance (59.9%). In the relation between the total length and morphological characters of the highest and the lowest correlation were observed in dorsal distance with r2 =0.993 and the anal height with r2 =0.938. A strong correlation (r2 = 0.993) was found between the total length and weight relationship and the growth was positive allometric b> 3. This paper reports the first documented of morphometric characteristics of the species. It is considered to contribute to fisheries biology and international scientific literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the present paper 35 specimens of sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) from different age groups were investigated. The material was collected between May 2010 - September 2011 along the coast, the main points are two: Varna Bay and the mouth of the river Veleka. The main objective of the study was to establish the food spectrum of mullet, and thus a connection could be made between food components. The methods which were used and defined to study the food spectrum and the relationship between different food components are as follows: frequency of occurrence and dominance index of the nutritional components; the filling index and stomach emptiness index, as well as selectivity coefficient of a meal.Results showed that detritus, zoobenthos (Rissoa sp. and Trochammina inflate - 71.43%) and macrophytes (Cladophoraceae family - 63.64%) dominated in stomachs. Several potential toxic species were also found: Amphora coffeaeformis, Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima, Pseudo-nitzschia seriata, Prorocentrum cordatum, E. pyriformis, P. minimum, Protoperidinium crassipes. The results for the frequency of occurrence (pF) showed that the most common in the stomach of a mullet of the macrophytes are the species of family Ulvaceae - 45.5% ; family Cladophoraceae - 45.5% ; of phytoplankton - Navicula spp (109,09%).; of zoobenthos: Nematoda g.sp. - 42.9% and Trochammina inflate - 28.6 %. The low emptiness index (0.0857) defines the grey mullet as an often eating fish. The small fish reaching up to 3-4 cm eat phytoplankton and zooplankton. Until now, research on the food spectrum of sea mullet by the Bulgarian sector of the Black Sea have not been conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that fir, being a shade-tolerant tree species, form selection forests which have naturally self-specific increment and growth laws. Because of that they are managed as even-aged forests or in the direction of allowable cut formulas which are not suitable to its natural structure, their optimum structures and ecosystems of these forests being spoiled. With the applied management form contrary to the concept of today's sustainable forestry, these fir forests are managed at a level of very small increment. Whereas, if they are managed as selection forest, both its ecosystem improvement and sustainability will be provided and a contribution will be made to the economy of the country, running them with an increment potential equal to or more than 13 m3/ha. In this paper, the information about increment and growth laws which provide posibilities to manage the Black Sea Region fir forests as selection forests will be given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of Engineering Geology & the Environment is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In recent years, tourism has become the most dynamic item of Black Sea countries' economy that provides new workplaces as well as constant income. This paper aims to analyze the dynamics of accommodation units of the six Black Sea countries in recent years, to compare the development of the material base in each country and make some proposals to improve tourism activity on the Romanian coast of the Black Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Black Sea area forms a vital bridge between the East and West, mostly in terms of transport and energy supplies. It is in fact a region of enormous geo-political sensitivity and latest round of enlargement of the European Union brings the EU right up to the shores of the Black Sea. The Black Sea Region (BSR) is understood by the European institutions to reach well beyond the sea's actual shores. It includes three EU Member States, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, and one candidate state, Turkey. It also includes Russia, Europe's major strategic partner to the East and a number of countries identified as Europe's neighbourhood: Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. This paper is focused on showing regional concerns on marine environment protection and pollution prevention along with safety and security considerations in order to get a clear road of European integration with a clean and secured Black Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tide gauge records comprise of relative sea level change and vertical land motion, while satellite altimetry provides absolute sea level change in the Earth’s center fixed frame. Accordingly, the difference of both observations can be used to estimate geocentric vertical land motion along the coasts. In this paper, the vertical land motion rates are investigated at 13 tide gauge sites along the Black Sea coast by analyzing differences between Tide Gauge (TG) and Satellite Altimetry (SA) observations. Furthermore, the estimated vertical motion rates are compared with those from nearby the Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements. The results show general consistence with the present geodynamics in the Black Sea coastal region. For example, our estimates support the general subsidence at Bourgas and Varna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study, the potential regional impacts of the European Union full memberships on the Turkey's dairy sector were analysed using a Spatial Equilibrium Model with 12 NUTS 1 regions as well as the European Union as being another region. According to the results, Turkey starts importing butter mainly to the Istanbul region and powder milk to the Black Sea regions, while exporting white cheese from Istanbul and plain yoghurt from the Central Anatolia and the North-eastern Anatolian regions. In the process of the European Union full membership, agricultural policies must focus on the enhancement of milk productivity to decrease the cost and to improve hygiene to meet the European Union standards for a smooth accession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although maritime transport is the cheapest transportation mode, the management of ships is very costly. Ship management companies try to get the minimum cost and highest profit using ships effectively and efficiently. Therefore, they need to carry out shipment planning at the optimum level. The purpose of this research is to perform the optimum shipment planning of six ships in different sizes and capacities in a Ro-Ro fleet belonging to a ship management company operating in the Black Sea Region. On the basis of data obtained from the company that had problems in operating ships in its fleet effectively and efficiently, a model in A Mathematical Programming Language has been created, and this model has been solved with the GNU Linear Programming Kit, a mixed-integer program solver. Shipment planning has been conducted within the framework of six ships and a 1-year planning horizon, and profit maximization has been determined as the objective function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the energy integration in the Black Sea region with the new pipelines connecting Europe and the Caspian and the bypass of Russia to Ukraine through Turkey. Topics discussed include the development of pipelines to ship gas, the changing gas balance in the region, and the gas distribution in the region.

Copyright of Genetika (0534-0012) is the property of Serbian Genetics Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Increased interest in water quality in coastal and marine areas stemming from the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive has led to important questions in relation to policies that address nutrient loadings. This paper presents the results from a choice experiment study to assess the recreational damage associated with algal blooms caused by nutrients flows into Varna Bay, Bulgaria. Varna Bay is an important beach destination on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. Algal bloom events have been experienced frequently in the area. A choice experiment questionnaire was developed and applied in the Varna Bay area to assess the extent to which the quantity of algal blooms and the duration of the bloom affect recreational activities. The amount of bloom was found to be important, as respondents were on average willing to pay a one off tax of 18.97 Leva (€9.73) for a program that provides beaches free from algal blooms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The paper presents the Black Sea morphometry and hydrographic characteristics, its network of tributaries and the fresh water supply. The published and directly measured by the author data from Sulina and Constanta gauges (situated on Romanian shore), as well as from stations in Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia and Georgia have been used for analysing the sea level variations. The time series taken into consideration cover the period from 1858 to 1998. The water budget of the Black Sea and the sea level variations at different coastal zones have been analysed for highlighting the influence of the river - sea interactions. The Danube River water supply has an important influence on the sea level fluctuations. A trend of the sea level variations in time for different coastal zones was evidenced. Considerations on eustatic and subsidence processes along the Black Sea coasts are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Black Sea Region is a global node of trade and traffic, which makes it useful for forecasting regional stability. While we usually look at the power play in the borderlands to understand the features of the region and indicate the sources for new risks, considering hybrid warfare characteristics, this method becomes obsolete when global events strike. This is why an analysis of the patterns in maritime traffic while also considering those related to security may tell of initial challenges that the region will face post the current pandemic. Such an approach also concludes on potential regional trends, considering the fluid borderline environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinop is one of the chestnut growing regions of Turkey. The pollen of Castanea sativa is consisting of the main source of honeybee. In the present study were investigated to phenolic composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial efficiency of methanolic extracts of C. sativa pollen grains collected from 9 different populations during inflorescence period (July, 2013). The extracts were screened for their antimicrobial activities against to the 8 bacteria and 3 yeast species by using disc-diffusion procedure. The pollen extracts displayed more effective against to Gram-positive bacteria rather than Gram-negative, the extracts had also moderate anti-yeast activity. In vitro the antioxidant activity based on the 1,1-diphenly-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical was evaluated for all the extracts, and it was found that the extracts had good Phenolic compound, Antimicrobial activity antioxidant activity in the range of the IC50 = 0.093-19.5 mg mL-1. The total phenolic contents of Antioxidant activity Sinop the extracts were determined between 64.02 ± 0.26 mg GAE g-1 and 103.8 ± 6.72 mg GAE g-1. In addition, we determined a negative linear correlation (r= - 0.59) between the total phenolic content and IC50 values. In this sense, our findings confirmed that the methanolic pollen extracts had good antioxidant activity. In conclusion, the result of the study suggested that Castanea sativa Mill. pollen grains can be a good natural product source of antioxidant and antimicrobial agents for potential health benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Turkey, cabbage is the most economically important member of the genus Brassica. Samsun, located in the Black Sea Region is the greatest cabbage producing area in Turkey. Surveys were done to determine the distribution of viruses in cabbage cultivated areas in 2012-2014. According to the results of field observations, characteristic virus symptoms were observed on some cabbage plants. The average percentages of symptoms-affected plants were recorded as 2-20% in the visited fields. A total of 535 leaf samples were collected from cabbage fields and tested for the presence of Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV), and Beet western yellows virus (BWYV) by double-antibody sandwich Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) using virus-specific polyclonal antiserum. The ELISA results revealed that 8.1% and 6.9% of these samples were infected with TuMV and CaMV, respectively. The TuMV +CaMV mixed infection ratio was 2.1%. However, CMV, TYMV, and BWYV were not detected. This is the first comprehensive study of viruses on Brassica crops in the Black Sea Region of Turkey, the most important centre for cabbage production in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Romanian summer tourism has developed extraordinarily on the Black Sea coast and in the Danube Delta. The administration of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve took measures for the protection of the natural environment and for the local development of tourism (mostly of ecologic tourism). The cultural potential of Dobrudja (represented by world-famous archaeological sites placed on the limes of the Razim-Sinoe lagoon complex and of the Danube) has enabled the emergence of a new, specialized type of tourism in the Danube Delta: the cultural (archaeological) tourism. The interface between the Dobrudjan mainland and the Danube Delta comprises the largest archaeological treasure in Romania and even in Europe (in relation to the number of superficial sites). The advantage of developing such specialized tourism is also provided by the possibility of elaborating terrestrial or aquatic itineraries. Tourism can also be advantaged by the location of the legendary Greek Island of Peuce (the "Pine Island" mentioned by Herodotus) in the eastern sector of the Dunavăț Peninsula. The proposition made here is to develop cultural tourism based on the existence of historical vestiges within the area of the first Romanian region included in urban civilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a total of 1360 specimens of Eriphia verrucosa were collected from the South Black Sea region of Turkey between February 2012 and January 2013 to determine their biological and reproductive characteristics. The overall sex ratio of all individuals was calculated as 1:0.42 (M/F). The mean carapace width was determined as 6.76, 5.57, and 5.62 cm for males, nonovigerous, and ovigerous females, respectively. The minimum and maximum weight was recorded as 4.07 and 301.4 g for both sexes. The highest correlation between morphological characteristics was determined for carapace length and crab weight in nonovigerous females (R² = 0.973; N = 317). The percentage of ovigerous females was 6.25% and they were observed only between May 2012 and August 2012. The mean fecundity was calculated as 89,129 ± 8005 eggs. The egg diameter ranged from 499.0 to 701.7 μm with a mean value of 546.36 ± 18.62 μm for stage I, 606.92 ± 15.92 μm for stage II, and 570.96 ± 9.22 μm for stage III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the most effective and efficient management of certain natural resources (e.g. protected areas) and disasters (e.g. wildfires) transboundary approaches are needed. In addition in the management of protected areas, the role of wildfire should be incorporated, something that was ignored in the past and led to catastrophic wildfires. The Black Sea is a region that wildfires in the protected areas are expected to increase. This has to do with the abandonment of rural areas and the higher temperatures, especially during summer, due to climate change. Interesting is also the fact that some countries of the region have extensive experience while other do not have neither the experience nor the necessary infrastructures to face large wildfires. A transboundary collaboration would be very beneficial to the countries with limited experiences and capacities to suppress wildfires. The objective of this study is to be proactive by developing innovative tools to help suppress wildfires and enhancing the knowledge on wildfires and protected areas. The innovative tools included 4 different research activities and products. Firstly, an online Digital Geodatabase for the six pilot areas was developed. Next forest fire fuels and maps were developed while a forest fire behavior model was run to create the overall fire risk maps for the pilot areas. To estimate water resources and watershed streamflows the hydrologic model SWAT was validated and calibrated for the pilot areas. The final activities included a multi-criteria decision analysis to select the optimal location of the water reservoirs and the use of spatial analyst to provide the optimal routes to reach reservoirs by the fire vehicles. To enhance the responsible agency personnel along with stakeholders knowledge of the region, a Neighborhood Network with regular quarterly meetings was established. Participants for all six project countries were present in the meetings. Overall, new tool that will enhance wildfire suppression in protected area were developed while the awareness of wildfire danger and the importance of protected areas increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Genetika (0534-0012) is the property of Serbian Genetics Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of study is determined of growty performances and changes of morphological characteristics of horse chesnut seedlings at different light and moisture conditions at the nursery stage. This research carried out greenhouse conditions in the Gökçebey Forest Nursey Directorate. In this context the same growing material (1/3san+1/3clay+1/3natural organic humic material) was created in the greenhouse field. The 4 different light (30%, 50%, 60% and 80%) and moisture (40%, 60%, 80% and 90%) conditions were attempted on seedlings of horse chestnut in the grenhouse conditions. the light of the results obtained from the research that a rapid growth of chestnut horse with the particularly responded quickly to changing light conditions, but can be continued until the response is determined about 80% intensity. On the other hand it reacts to changing humidity conditions against a chestnut horse, but was determined to show high growth in terms of numerical values, such as in this case, the light intensity. As well as root growth that the light intensity the resulting changes despite the rapidly increased to accommodate the growth that occurred and that this increase starts pause of approximately 70% light intensity, root length despite the changes in the moisture content was determined to continue to grow to about 90% moisture content. In this context light intensity of increased approximately 70% and performed upbringing process of horse chestnut trees in the moisture content up to 80%. However, both the bud growth, required for growth and development of fruit grown in 50% light 60% moisture content and their powerful and adaptations may be useful for the production of high horse chestnut trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the context of this study, conducted in 2007 and 2008, 64 species of the genera Allohelea Kieffer, Alluaudomyia Kieffer, Atrichopogon Kieffer, Bezzia Kieffer, Brachypogon Kieffer, Culicoides Latreille, Dasyhelea Kieffer, Forcipomyia Meigen, Leptoconops Skuse, Palpomyia Meigen, and Stilobezzia Kieffer were reported in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey. Among them, three genera (Allohelea, Alluaudomyia, and Brachypogon) and 26 species are new to the country's fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to fulfill its strategic objectives, following the Wales Summit, Romania must advocate for transforming the Black Sea region into an area of cooperation, security and stability through the mutual potentiation of six components: increasing EU involvement in the region; creating projects within the “Black Sea Synergy”; BSEC efficiency; strengthening the Black Sea Euroregion; strengthening bilateral dialogue with the states in the area; meeting the Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership goals. According to the authors, for Romania, the Black Sea region represents both an asset and an area of vital interest to national security, and the economic revival and integration into the world values circuit necessarily require the maritime component substantial contribution, which is of the utmost importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the performance of four satellite-based precipitation (SBP) products over the western Black Sea region of Turkey, a region characterized by complex topography that exerts strong controls on the precipitation regime. The four SBP products include the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis version 7 experimental near-real-time product (TMPA-7RT) and post-real-time research-quality product (TMPA-7A), the Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH), and the Multisensor Precipitation Estimate (MPE) of the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). Evaluation is performed at various spatial (point and grid) and temporal (daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual) scales over the period 2007-11. For the grid-scale evaluation, a rain gauge-based gridded precipitation dataset was constructed using a knowledge-based system in which 'physiographic descriptors' are incorporated in the precipitation estimation through an optimization framework. The results indicated that evaluated SBP products generally had difficulty in representing the precipitation gradient normal to the orography. TMPA-7RT, TMPA-7A, and MPE products underestimated precipitation along the windward region and overestimated the precipitation on the leeward region, more significantly during the cold season. The CMORPH product underestimated the precipitation on both windward and leeward regions regardless of the season. Further investigation of the datasets used in the development of these SBP products revealed that, although both infrared (IR) and microwave (MW) datasets contain potential problems, the inability of MW sensors to detect precipitation especially in the cold season was the main challenge over this region with complex topography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ellenberg developed a system that assigns indicator scores for habitat characteristics of individual plant species. Swamp forests are highly diverse ecological communities and include different plant species, all of which have different ecological requirements. Ellenberg's indicator values (EIVs) were calculated for soil pH and nitrogen (N) concentration in some swamp forest species in the Central Black Sea region of Turkey. In this study, the EIVs for soil pH were usually similar in the swamp forest species studied, while some differences were found with respect to EIVs for soil nitrogen concentration. Tolerance values (TVs) of all of the studied species were higher than those reported in similar studies because EIVs and species abundance were high in the present study compared to similar studies. TVs (soil pH) were higher in Galeriç Forest than in the other 2 swamp forests. The differences among the swamp forest species studied with respect to EIVs might be explained on the basis of soil heterogeneity, even on a local scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted for entomopathogenic nematodes in various agricultural fields in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. A total of 77 soil samples were collected from 15 distinct geographic areas during 2010-2011. Seven entomopathogenic nematode isolates (ZET02, ZET04, ZET09, ZET28, ZET31, ZET35, and ZET76) were detected from the soil samples (9.1% positive) using the Galleria baiting technique. Morphological and molecular characterizations of the isolates were performed for species identification. Five isolates were identified as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (ZET02, ZET04, ZET09, ZET28, and ZET35) and 2 isolates were identified as Steinernema feltiae (ZET31 and ZET76). The efficacy of all isolates was tested on Melolontha melolontha larvae in plastic boxes and pot experiments. Different concentrations of nematodes at 0, 500, 1000, or 2000 infective juveniles (IJs)/mL and 2 different temperature regimes (15 and 25 °C) were used. One hundred percent mortality was obtained from the ZET09 and ZET35 isolates at a concentration of 2000 IJs/mL at 25 °C. The same isolates also provided 100% protection with 100 IJs/cm2 in strawberry planted pot experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study was to understand the faunistic composition, ecological properties, and zoogeographical composition of the family Elateridae (Coleoptera) of the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. As a result, 44 species belonging to 5 subfamilies and 19 genera were identified. After adding species reported in the literature to the analysis, the fauna in the research area consists of 6 subfamilies, 23 genera and 72 species. Most of the Elateridae fauna of the Western Black Sea region were classified in the subfamilies Elaterinae and Dendrometrinae. The genus Athous was the most species-rich genus. The species composition of the Elateridae fauna of the Western Black Sea region partially overlaps with the known Elateridae fauna of Turkey. The Western Black Sea region shares the most species with the European part of the Western Palaearctic region, including many of those in the Elateridae family, compared to other regions. Comparisons of the three geographical regions of Turkey show that fauna composition, ecological properties, and zoogeographical compositions of the Middle and Western Black Sea regions are more similar to each other than to those of the Central Anatolian region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The site index conversion equations are important for estimating the site index of one tree species from the site index of another tree species in mixed stands. In this study, data were obtained from 162 sample plots in mixed stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) from the Black Sea Region in the north of Turkey. The breast height ages and height of the site trees were measured and the site index was estimated by these data. Geometric linear regression was used to estimate the parameters of a linear model relating to site indices of Scots pine and Oriental beech species. The correlation between the site indices of Scots pine and Oriental beech was 0.818, indicating a good fit to the linear model. Validation procedure showed that conversion equations were suitable for the studied mixed stands. The conversion equations can be applied to mixed species stands with inconsistent stratification or in stand conversion situations for an accurate and reliable evaluation of forest quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 114 Rhizoctonia solani isolates were obtained from diseased common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants from the Black Sea coastal region of Turkey. Genetic variation was determined among R. solani anastomosis group 4 (AG-4) subgroups (AG-4 HG-I and AG-4 HG-II). ITS-5.8 rDNA sequences of these isolates were aligned with other known R. solani sequences from GenBank, and distance and parsimony analysis were used to determine phylogenetic relationships. The R. solani AG-4 isolates were placed in 2 main lineages, corresponding to AG-4 HG-I and AG-4 HG-II. Based on phylogenetic analysis, genetic variations were shown in the AG-4 subgroups (especially AG-4 HG-I). This study represents the first reported use of rDNA-ITS sequence data to examine AG-4 HG-I and HG-II in P. vulgaris from Turkey. The results also suggest that the Giresun isolates are closely related to isolates obtained from Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yield models are important tools in forest management planning because they can simulate stand development and production under various management alternatives. Yield of forest stands is determined using tables containing values of height, diameter, number of trees, volume, etc., for different site and age classes. These tables have been created by using basically mathematical equations with statistical analyses. Some species are of low economic importance, but all of them are of high ecological importance for the ecosystems. Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmülleriana Mattf. is one of the both-way important tree species in Turkey. Hence, site index curves and yield tables for natural fir stands in the Western Black Sea region were developed. Data were collected from a total of 20 sample plots and 15 sample trees. Site index curves were used to classify into site classes of I, II and III, in order of decreasing productivity. The yield models can be calibrated on Turkish Forest Management Planning Department field plot data and tested against independent long-term growth and yield records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seacoasts protection does not stand standard solutions. Every part of a shore needs to be creatively approached and its hydrodynamic, lithodynamic, geological, geomorphological and other peculiarities must be thoroughly studied for each particular situation. It takes a complex scientific approach considering not only local features, but also the reaction of the whole lithodynamic system in limits of which the coast protective activity is planned with consideration of calculated hydrodynamic parameters (waves, sea level, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paramysis Czerniavsky, 1882, the most diverse genus of mysid crustaceans (Mysida, Mysidae) in the Caspian Sea and Black Sea region, includes a number of species with unstable and confusing nomenclature. Three species and one subspecies are redescribed here based on characters from recent taxonomic and phylogenetic studies as well as on new diagnostic features. Neotypes are designated for P. (Mesomysis) intermedia (Czerniavsky, 1882) and for P. (Paramysis) kessleri sarsi (Derzhavin, 1925), and a lectotype and paralectotypes for P. (P.) eurylepis (G. O. Sars, 1907) and P. (P.) kessleri kessleri (Grimm in MS) G. O. Sars, 1895. Paramysis armata Czerniavsky, 1882, is excluded from the synonymy of P. kessleri and declared nomen dubium. The diagnosis of the subgenus Mesomysis Czerniavsky, 1882, is updated with the addition of new characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify precipitation, throughfall, stemflow, precipitation, and interception processes in pure black pine, pure Scots pine, and mixed black pine-Scots pine forest ecosystems and present the precipitation partitioning according to different stand types. Throughfall and stemflow measurements were performed using five standard precipitation gauges in a pilot area established to represent pure black pine, pure Scots pine, and mixed black pine-Scots pine stands in the Bezirgan Basin. The total precipitation was measured in an open field close to the study area. Throughfall values were calculated as the percentage of precipitation measured in an open field. According to the results of the study, the throughfall values were 69.8% in black pine, 73.9% in Scots pine, and 77.7% in the mixed black pine-Scots pine stands; the stemflow values were 2.6% in black pine, 5.9% in Scots pine, and 3.1% in the mixed black pine-Scots pine stands; the amounts of precipitation reaching the forest floor were 72.3% in black pine, 79.8% in Scots pine, and 80.7% in the mixed black pine-Scots pine stands; and the interception values were found to be 27.7% in black pine, 20.2% in Scots pine, and 19.2% in the mixed black pine-Scots pine stands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]