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Students need to be aware of plants in order to learn about, appreciate, care for, and protect them. However, research has found that many children are not aware of the plants in their environment. A way to address this issue might be integration of plants with various disciplines. I investigated the effectiveness of an instructional approach based on integration of botany with chemistry and art for increasing students' awareness of plants. The study was carried out in a science summer school for 10- to 12-year-old students (n = 25). A plant awareness questionnaire and a plant blindness test were used as pretests and posttests to assess the effects of the instruction on the students' plant awareness. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the students after instruction. The results indicated that integrating plants with various disciplines might overcome the learning problem of students associated with their "plant blindness." Moreover, this instructional approach can provide students opportunities to learn the names of plants and some concepts in the botanical discipline, as well as help them understand the relationship between plants and other disciplines.

The aim of this study is to examine the opinions of prospective teachers about biology and nature-related activities for mentally disabled students. The survey method was used in this quantitative study. Attitude scale towards biology and nature-related activities for mentally disabled students was used as a data collection tool. The scale was applied to a total of 258 (183 females, 75 males) prospective teachers studying at the education faculty of a state university and taking special education courses. According to the findings, prospective teachers expressed their positive opinions about all the activities specified in the scale. However, a few prospective teachers stated that some of the activities, especially interaction with animals, were not applicable for their mentally disabled students. However, when the findings are evaluated in general, it is concluded that biology and nature-related activities are very valuable for mentally disabled students.

Narrow endemism is the core of plant diversity in flora of the Mediterranean Basin, which is among the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots. The Mediterranean genus Kundmannia (Careae, Apioideae) comprises just three species, K. sicula , K. anatolica , and K. syriaca. Notably, K. sicula has a wide distribution from the western Mediterranean to Greece, while K. anatolica and K. syriaca occur only in Turkey's Taurus Mountains, which is a phylogeographical hotspot. Initially, the aim herein was to determine the phylogenetic placement of the genus Kundmannia based on DNA sequences, but it later developed to describing a new genus, Antalia gen. nov. and revealing historical events that acted as drivers in the genetic divergence between Kundmannia and Antalia. Both ribosomal and combined chloroplast multilocus sequences were used to unravel the phylogenetic topology. Toward this aim, morphological characteristics were examined. Based on this, Antalia differs from Kundmannia by its shorter bracteoles and petals, the colour of the petals, and smaller fruits. The phylogenetic results revealed that the genus Kundmannia is nested within the tribe Careae and is not monophyletic. Antalia , which is genetically separate from Kundmannia , is described as a new genus. Detailed morphological descriptions and identification keys are provided. Causes of the genetic disjunction between Antalia and Kundmannia were carefully considered in a time-calibrated phylogenetic framework. The Mediterranean Sea has acted as a relatively effective barrier between these genera since the Messinian salinity crisis. The unwinged mericarps seem to have facilitated the work of the barrier. Historical events during and after the Pliocene and allopatric vicariance seem to have been the most important drivers of evolution between Kundmannia and Antalia and within Antalia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the bryophyte flora of a collapse doline located in the steppe of Central Anatolia has been investigated. As a result of the identification of 365 bryophyte specimens collected from various habitats of doline, a total of 72 taxa (71mosses and 1 liverwort) belonging to 9 families and 24 genera are determined. Among them Didymodon icmadophilus is new for C13 grid-square. The most species-rich families in the study area are Pottiaceae (31 taxa), Bryaceae (13 taxa) and Grimmiaceae (11 taxa) respectively. While the widespread genera are Syntrichia (9 taxa), Didymodon (9 taxa), Ptychostomum (9 taxa) and Grimmia (6 taxa). Syntrichia ruralis, Weissia condensa, Didymodon vinealis and Orthotrichum cupulatum are the most common species in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on the bryophyte flora of Maltepe University Central Campus, with samples collected between March 2023 and March 2024. Approximately 150 moss samples were collected from the study area, and through taxonomic identification, a total of 42 moss taxa belonging to 10 families and 26 genera were identified. Among these taxa, 19 represent new records for the province of Istanbul. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) is an economically important medicinal and vegetable crop plant that is rarely grown in Turkey under natural conditions. This study aimed to develop an in vitro somatic embryo regeneration method using dissimilar concentrations of H3BO3 and 2,4-D on leaf and stem explants of the Gazipasa bitter melon ecotype. Boron is an essential microelement for plants, and its deficiency or excess creates significant problems in plant development. Within the scope of the study, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg l-1 concentrations of H3BO3 and 1.0 and 2.0 mg l-1 2,4-D were applied to the leaf and stem explants. The results showed 100.00% and 60.00% callus formation on leaf explants after two weeks and stem explants after 3 weeks using MS medium amended with 0.5 mg l-1 H3BO3 and 2.0 mg l-1 2,4-D. Somatic embryo formation percentages were dependent on the type of explant. Their recovery to healthy plantlets was obtained on MS medium. The somatic embryos at the globular and heart stages comprised identifiable protoderm layer formation that was not observed if H3BO3 was not added into the cultures and the embryos were fused with hyperhydricity. The study meets the objectives of the research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Cephalaria (Caprifoliaceae) species, Cephalaria gokturkii, is described and illustrated from Girdev Mountain (Muğla Province) for the Flora of Türkiye. Throughout this manuscript, the new species and its relatives were compared in terms of morphological, palynological and molecular features. The obtained findings indicated that the new species is similar to C. elmaliensis but is characterized by having larger capitula and receptacular bracts in flower (vs. 1-2 cm capitula and less than 3 mm in flower) and hairy trigonous-narrowly ovate involucral bracts (vs. glabrous and broadly ovate involucral bracts) and smaller involucels (vs. involucels longer than 10 mm in fruit). Although the new species is similar to C. elmaliensis in terms of pollen shape and general appearance, its pollens are larger in terms of mean equatorial diameter and polar axis. Following morphological data, molecular analyses (based on ITS and trnL introns) indicated that the phylogenetically closest relative of the species is also C. elmaliensis. Additionally, we report that taxonomic notes for this new species are provided, including distribution, ecology, and conservation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen, fruit, and seed morphology of the Cistus species (Cistaceae) from Turkey were investigated by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to describe their characteristics and to clarify the diagnostic importance of these properties for taxonomical purposes. The pollen grains are oblate-spheroidal, with the polar axis ranging from 32 to 55 μm, and the equatorial axis ranging from 34.25 to 57 μm. Microreticulate-rugulate, striato-reticulate, microechinate, and microreticulate with smooth supratectal elements were found on exine sculpturing. The fruits are ovoid, oblong-globose, or ovoid-globose, and their size ranges between 3–11.2 mm in length and 2.9–10.3 mm in width. Capsule surface patterns can be divided into three types, namely irregularly reticulate, striate, and reticulate-areolate. The hairs on the capsule show variation in type: pilose, bifurcate, and stellate. The seeds are polyhedral, ovoid, rhomboid, oblong, or tetrahedral, and their color varies between dark brown, reddish-brown, yellowish-brown, and black. Four seed coat ornamentation types were observed: reticulate-ruminate, reticulate-rugose, colliculate-ruminate, and alveolate-rugose. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis revealed that the pollen dimension, exine sculpturing, capsule size, capsule indumentum type, capsule surface pattern, seed color, and seed coat ornamentation are the most significant variables to differentiate the Cistus species studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to reveal the presence of Soleirolia soleirolii, evaluated as an alien species for the flora of Turkiye, and to document its first record in Bartın province. Furthermore, Soleirolia is proved as a new genus record for the country, which has significant implications for the region's biodiversity. The detailed morphological descriptions, identification keys, distribution map, and photos are provided for this species, which will be beneficial for future research in this area. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the distribution and morphology of this species and emphasize the need for further research on the biodiversity of this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to compare the effect of teaching science through-creative-drama activities and student-centred inquiry-based teaching on the cognitive structures of primary school pupils about the classification of living things. It was designed as an exploratory action research case study and the contribution of both interventions on the cognitive structures was explored. The study was conducted on two fifth grade classes at a public middle school in Turkey during the fall semester of the 2017 year. The experimental group was taught science through-creative-drama activities that were integrated into the unit. While in the control group, student-centred inquiry-based teaching was carried out. Data were collected by pre-post open-ended questionnaires and also word association tests for both groups. It has been revealed that teaching science through-creative-drama activities about the classification of living things topic made a significant contribution to the expansion of the schemas in the cognitive structures compared with student-centred inquiry-based teaching. However, it was difficult for the teacher researcher to control the schemas that pupils came up with, some of which promoted misconceptions.

In the digital age we live in, electronic teaching materials can effectively increase students' participation in the learning and teaching process. In addition, it is known that using visual materials in science education has a positive effect on learning in this direction. The study aims to determine the effect of digital concept cartoons in the sixth-grade science course on the academic achievement of students and the retention of what is learned in the lesson and to determine the students' views on the concept cartoons applied in the lesson. This research was carried out with sequential mixed design, one of the mixed designs in which quantitative and qualitative research methods are used. The quantitative dimension of the study was conducted with a random experimental design with the pretest-posttest control group, and the qualitative dimension was carried out with a case study design to support the quantitative data and make an in-depth analysis of the data. A significant difference in favor of the experimental group was found between the post-test and retention test mean scores of the experimental and control group students participating in the study. Based on these findings, it can be said that the use of digital concept cartoons in the sixth-grade science course "reproduction, growth, and development in plants and animals" unit is effective in ensuring academic achievement and the retention of what is learned in the lesson. This finding of the study is parallel with qualitative findings.

Sciuro-hypnum glaciale (Brachytheciaceae, Bryophyta) is an important moss species that should be protected in terms of Türkiye's biodiversity. In the Flora of Türkiye, this species was only known in the Eastern Black Sea Region, from the Ordu province. With this study, a new locality record of this rare taxon in Türkiye was given from the Cappadocia Region, and contributed to the Flora of Türkiye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activity described here was designed to center on the observation of circadian rhythms in plants through the example of growing beans. The aim was to develop students' skills of systematic observation of various variables in the long-term. Our study took place at a Science and Arts Center with 17 gifted students in the third and fourth grades who were receiving supplementary education at the center. In the first stage of the study, the teacher initiated the cultivation of the plant and the process of observation 2 weeks ahead of the class and based on the experience of the observation, set up a detailed plan for a classroom activity. The activity was carried out in three phases. The first phase involved the planting and germination of the beans in pots. The second phase focused on the first appearance of the plant's leaves, while the third phase comprised the process of observing the effects of the intensity of light and the changes in temperature in the environment on the opening and closing movements of the leaves. It was found that the gifted students were successful in making long-term, systematic observations of various variables, and that as time passed, their dedication to the project increased. This motivation led them to delve deeper using different individual skills of scientific observation to discover how circadian rhythm is manifested in different plants, thus expanding their framework of accurate observation. We recommend the widespread use of this activity in the education of gifted students.

Much computer software already exists for floristic and monographic studies. Database software can hold all the data required for a Flora, and can process it much more accurately. The fundamental data tables are those for names, authorities, people, specimens, bibliography, geography and distribution. To these can be added other data such as descriptions, keys, images, maps, chromosomes and vernacular names. The same data system can be used for collection management and making herbarium labels. It is very important to use data standards such as for books, journals and authorities. Computerised descriptions and keys can also be constructed and held in the database. Data from the Flora of Turkey will be used to demonstrate the PANDORA database and PANKEY software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was performed to determine the chemical constituents, cytotoxicity, antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities of the aerial parts of Glaucium acutidentatum Hausskn. and Bornm. (family Papaveraceae). Methanolic and aqueous extracts were prepared by maceration, homogenizer-assisted extraction (HAE) and infusion. Results showed that the highest total phenolic and flavonoids contents were obtained from the methanol extracts obtained by HAE (53.22 ± 0.10 mg GAE/g) and maceration (30.28 ± 0.51 mg RE/g), respectively. The aporphine, beznyltetrahydroisoquinoline, and protopine types of Glaucium alkaloids have been tentatively identified. Among them, glaucine was identified in all extracts. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, organic acids and fatty acids were also detected. Methanolic extract obtained using the HAE method displayed the highest anti-DPPH (41.42 ± 0.62 mg TE/g), total antioxidant (1.20 ± 0.17 mmol TE/g), Cu2+ (113.55 ± 6.44 mg TE/g), and Fe3+ (74.52 ± 4.74 mg TE/g) reducing properties. The aqueous extracts obtained by infusion and HAE methods exerted the best anti-ABTS (103.59 ± 1.49 mg TE/g) and chelating (19.81 ± 0.05 mg EDTAE/g) activities, respectively. Methanolic extract from HAE recorded the highest acetylcholinesterase (2.55 ± 0.10 mg GALAE/g) and α-amylase (0.51 ± 0.02 mmol ACAE/g) inhibition activities, while that obtained by maceration showed the best butyrylcholinesterase (3.76 ± 0.31 mg GALAE/g) inhibition activity. Both extracts revealed the best tyrosinase inhibitory activity (25.15 ± 1.00 and 26.79 ± 2.36 mg KAE/g, p ≥ 0.05). G. acutidentatum maceration-derived aqueous extract showed selective anticancer activity against cells originating from human hypopharyngeal carcinoma. In conclusion, these findings indicated that G. acutidentatum is a promising source of alkaloids and phenolic compounds for variable pharmaceutical formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The altitude of the habitat is one of the important regulators of species survival. Kaçkar Mountains National Park is located in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. This is the first study on the benthic diatom flora of the high mountain lakes in Kaçkar Mountains National Park, which is situated between 2782 and 3075 m a.s.l. A total of 84 diatom species were identified from benthic communities of 15 habitats in summer (19 July, 28 August) and autumn (10 September) months of 2020. The genus Pinnularia (thirteen species) formed the basis of the taxonomic list, followed by Eunotia (five species), Navicula (five species), and Frustulia (four species) genera, respectively. The waters in all the studied lakes were fresh, low-saline, with low-alkaline or circumneutral pH and organically uncontaminated, as evidenced by prevailed bioindicator groups. Statistical methods and comparative floristic results confirm the role of the lake altitude for the diatom species distribution. The species richness of the studied lakes was higher in lakes with lower altitudes. The statistical approach also revealed the potential for an increase in the number of species in high mountain lakes if the study of the diatom flora of the Kachkar Mountains National Park is continued and the species composition of the lakes is replenished. Further studies will be needed to continue exploring this pattern. To protect studied high mountain lakes, their ecological conditions must be constantly monitored in the Kaçkar Mountains National Park. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is a globally important food legume but its yield is negatively impacted by the fungal pathogen Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei) causing necrotic lesions leading to plant death. Past studies have found that Ascochyta resistance is polygenic. It is important to find new resistance genes from the wider genepool of chickpeas. This study reports the inheritance of Ascochyta blight resistance of two wide crosses between the cultivar Gokce and wild chickpea accessions of C. reticulatum and C. echinospermum under field conditions in Southern Turkey. Following inoculation, infection damage was scored weekly for six weeks. The families were genotyped for 60 SNPs mapped to the reference genome for quantitative locus (QTL) mapping of resistance. Family lines showed broad resistance score distributions. A late responding QTL on chromosome 7 was identified in the C. reticulatum family and three early responding QTLs on chromosomes 2, 3, and 6 in the C. echinospermum family. Wild alleles mostly showed reduced disease severity, while heterozygous genotypes were most diseased. Interrogation of 200k bp genomic regions of the reference CDC Frontier genome surrounding QTLs identified nine gene candidates involved in disease resistance and cell wall remodeling. This study identifies new candidate chickpea Ascochyta blight resistance QTLs of breeding potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tripleurospermum rosellum is here reported as native to Bulgarian flora for the first time based on materials gathered in the East Rhodope Mts. The revision of herbarium materials revealed that the taxon has been collected from several different localities in the same region of the country over the past 80 years. A detailed presentation on its morphology, distribution and habitat characteristics in Bulgaria are presented. The Greek collections of Tripleurospermum oreades are to be referred to T. rosellum. The species is also confirmed for the mainland of European Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of the identification of 800 envelope bryophyte specimens, 175 taxa were recorded from the research area. No hornwort taxa could be detected and only 7 taxa liverwort belong to 5 genera were collected from the area. Factors affecting the low number of liverworts can be listed as limited habitat diversity, poor water resources, high ultraviolet, rapid evaporation and poor vegetation. Mosses are represented by 168 taxa in 67 genera belonging to 17 families. Pottiaceae, Brachytheciaceae, Orthotrichaceae, Grimmiaceae, and Bryaceae which have more than ten taxa are the most species-rich families in the research area. These families, which mostly contain xerophilous taxa, are compatible with the climate of the region. Taxa, such as Asterella saccata and Orthotrichum cupulatum var. fuscum which were recently given as new records for Turkey from the research area, reveal the bryophyte diversity potential of the region. Studies to be carried out in areas that are relatively less known in terms of bryophytes, such as Eastern Anatolia, are extremely important in terms of understanding the diversity of bryophytes in the country. In this regard, the present study provides important information on the diversity of bryophytes in Eastern Anatolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biology, known as the science of life in its most general definition, is one of the branches of science closest to individuals due to the subjects it contains. Therefore, knowing the concepts related to biology correctly is important for the sustainability of the learning process. In this study, it was aimed to determine the conceptual perceptions and misconceptions of prospective science teachers about photosynthesis. The research using the case study was carried out in 2020-2021. The study group of the research consists of 57 pre-service science teachers studying in the first and fourth year of a state university in Turkey. The structured interview form and focus group interview form prepared by the researchers were used as data collection tools. As a result of the research, it was determined that the conceptual perceptions of the pre-service science teachers about the substances taken from the external environment in the photosynthesis process, photosynthesis products, and the importance of photosynthesis for the ecosystem were not sufficient. In addition, in the study, it was determined that pre-service science teachers had misconceptions about the definition of photosynthesis, energy source and the importance of photosynthesis for the ecosystem.

This study aimed to present a project-based STEM activity titled "Let's Build a Mini Farm on Our Schoolyard." The activity was implemented in science and science applications courses during the 2018-2019 academic year with 28 seventh grade students attending a state school in Giresun/Turkey. At the beginning of the study, the students learned about the engineering design process and project-based learning. Then, they were challenged with building a mini chicken farm on their schoolyard, which could be a solution of a real-world problem. To complete the project, they carried out mini researches and mini designs within the unit "Reproduction, Growth, and Development of Plants and Animals." They used their knowledge and experience in STEM disciplines to design the farm. The students carried out the project activities, offered solutions to the real-world problem, selected one of these solutions, tested the solution, and solved the problem with a sustainable method.

Copyright of Harran Journal of Agricultural & Food Science is the property of Harran University, Faculty of Agriculture 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.)

Based on extensive bryophyte surveys across the different parts of the Anzer valley in Rize province from northeastern Turkey, a liverwort Jungermannia eucordifolia and a moss species Platyhypnum molle are reported as new to Turkey and southwestern Asia. Short descriptions, illustrations, new localities, ecological data and comparisons with morphologically similar species are provided for each of the reported species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 10th in the checklist series, this "Check-list of additional taxa to the supplement flora of Turkey", contains 225 taxa from 193 manuscripts published between January 2019 and December 2021. These taxa are not found in any of the other 11 volumes of 'Flora of Turkey' nor in the nine previously published check-lists. The following taxa are now added to the Turkish flora as a result of this paper: 180 taxa new to science and 45 taxa with new records for the Turkish flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first Turkish record of Opopanax chironius (L.) W.D.J. Koch was firstly collected from Tekirdağ province in 1969. The morphological description of the species in “Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands” was written based on these specimens. The species has not been collected for along time untilday. This species was re-collected by us during a flora study in 2014 at Malkara district, Karaiğdemir Dam road in Tekirdağ. The name of this species was mispelled. This situation has been corrected here. Its correct use is Opopanax chironius. Also, in this study, expanded description of the species, pictures, disdictive morphological characters from other species, ecology, fruit photographs and ethnobotanical usage were given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agriculture & Nature / Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım & Doğa Dergisi is the property of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam Universitesi 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.)

Explains the publication policy of the periodical 'Turkish Journal of Botany,'. Recommendations on delimiting and naming units; Suggestions for homogeneity and floristic quasi-completeness.

This study analyses the effectiveness of ethnobotanic activities on learning performance of pre-service teachers about plants' classification. The research design was a quasi-experimental model. The results of the study revealed that the experimental group in which ethnobotanical activities were carried out was more successful for answers given to the interview form. On the other hand, there was no difference between the groups in multiple-choice questions. In other words, ethnobotanical practices have developed the subjective views of the students so they could have more comprehensive knowledge of the plants. These results suggest that ethnobotanic activities encourage pre-service teachers to think and talk through how to solve more open-ended problems that require making connections between analytical and practical components. This study also suggests the need to rethink how we teach botany to pre-service teachers, and how to help them learn the content better and establish more accurate conceptions of the biology content.

We describe Jurassic fossilized woods from the Gümüşhane and Erzurum regions of Turkey that represent the eastern Sakarya Zone (eSZ) terrestrial biota. We collected 27 fossil wood fragments in total. All 27 fossil wood specimens represent coniferous trees. We assigned ten specimens to Agathoxylon sp. type 1, fourteen to Agathoxylon sp. type 2, two to Protelicoxylon asiaticum and one to Xenoxylon hopeiense. Middle Jurassic woods are represented by Agathoxylon only what does not allow for any palaeobiogeographic inferences. The Late Jurassic wood flora evidences a continuity of Gondwanan eSZ terrestrial areas with the Laurasian ones. The occurrence of Xenoxylon within this Late Jurassic wood flora suggests an abundant water supply under a relatively cool/humid climate. Overall, both floras show important similarities to contemporary fossil wood flora from Iran and, to a lesser extent, to those from Georgia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the bryophyte flora of Ermenek Valley (Karaman, Mersin) was investigated. In a total 163 taxa belonging to 27 families and 64 genera were determined by identifying the bryophyte specimens collected from 33 stations at different habitats and different vegetation periods between the years 2019 and 2020. Marchantiophyta, 10 taxa belonging to 8 families and 10 genera, Bryophyta, 153 taxa belonging to 19 families and 54 genera are represented. Among them, 39 taxa are new records for C12 grid square and, also Fissidens gymnandrus is recorded for the second time from Turkey. While Pottiaceae (44 taxa) and Brachytheciaceae (26 taxa) two largest families in the study area, Ptychostomum (11 taxa), Syntrichia and Grimmia (10 taxa) are the most species rich genera. Taxa in the floristic list, along with ecological characteristics and life forms were given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of the nature education project on the attitudes and awareness levels of secondary school students towards the environment. The research is based on an experimental model which is a type quantitative research approaches and the population consisting of the students studying at a secondary school in Denizli. The sample of the study consists of 24 students participating in the project selected from Denizli. The first criterion for the selection of the students was determined as the participation of a 4006 science fair before, and other criteria were some variables such as academic achievement, gender, absence of health problems, and high communication skills. The data of the study collected with the journal form was used to gather the opinions and thoughts of the participants through an "Environmental Affect Scale" (EAS) consisting of 15 questions in type of five point likert scale along with another "Environmental Behavior Scale" (EBS) consists of 12 questions in type of seven point likert scale that were both developed by Sontay, Gökdere & Usta (2014). SPSS 22 program is used in the analysis of the data.When the results obtained are evaluated in general, it is evident that nature education program significantly contributes to both the environmental consciousness and environmental attitudes of the participants. In addition, in the evaluation made according to the sub-dimensions of the attitude scale, it is clearly seen that the program increases students' positive attitudes towards the environment as well as ensuring their permanence. However, no significant differences were found in the environmental perception scores of the students.

The aim of this study is to compare the perceptions of the gifted students and non-gifted students concerning plants through metaphors. The phenomenology design, which is one of the qualitative research designs, was used in this study. Participants were was comprised of 136 gifted students from the Science and Art Centers (BILSEM) in two different cities in the Marmara region and 136 non-gifted students studying at a secondary school in the Marmara region in the fall semester of the 2015-2016 academic year. The research group was selected through convenience sampling method. The data were collected using the sentence "The plants are like / similar to .......; because ........." that was completed by the participant students. The data were analyzed through the content analysis and the Chi-Square test of independence which is among the non-parametric statistical methods. As the conclusion of the research study, it was determined that the gifted students emphasized human, water, lungs, breath, and air metaphors concerning plants more compared to the non-gifted students, while the non-gifted students emphasized oxygen, sun, flower, friend, beautiful, meal and bead metaphors compared to the gifted students. In addition to these, it was determined that the non-gifted students emphasized the "Plant, as the source of peace and happiness" category more, while the gifted students were emphasizing the "Plant structure" category more. Moreover, it was observed that both student groups particularly emphasized the "Plant analogous to the human" category and that their perceptions concerning plants were shaped as anthropocentrically and in a self centered way. As the conclusion, it was found that there was not a significant difference between the perceptions of the gifted and non-gifted students concerning plants.

Awareness as a broad term is subject of many scientific disciplines such as psychology, education and biology etc. Thus the awareness study about our surrounding and environment can be called as a socio-scientific issues. The human species are often in interaction with almost all living and non-living things in the world. And we are not aware about these to some extent. The awareness changes according to the same variables such as mobility, color contrast and similarity to the human being. The living groups (plants and animals) come first rather than non-livings such as stones, water and air. It is the clear that people have higher awareness towards animals. Against plants and mushroom, the awareness is well below the desired level. In this study, it was tried to determine the changes in middle school students' awareness towards animals, plants and mushrooms through nature education. Nature education connects individual with nature. During the education, students recognize livings in the nature and try to understand the importance of nature for a sustainable future. Within the scope of the study, 47 secondary school students were given one week of natural education. Students' answers were analyzed statistically. The pictorial information scales applied before and after the education reveal a significant increase in plant awareness, especially in a world where plant blindness is high. [Note: The page range shown in the header on the PDF (122-136) is incorrect. The correct page range is 122-135.]

Photosynthesis is the most effective cycle and sustainable natural process known in nature. Students who learn the subject of photosynthesis well will also make better sense of other issues such as environmental problems, the state of the atmosphere, greenhouse gases, climate changes, carbon footprints and conservation of forests. The aim of this study is to present an example of a worksheet that investigates the skill levels possessed by preservice teachers in the causal process, and also to examine their ability to write a photosynthesis equation by means of a history-based approach that also includes reading skills. The study was conducted with the action research method. The study sample consisted of a total of 71 preservice biology teachers. At the first stage, before the implementation of the worksheet, 34 teacher candidates from within the sample were asked a question with a diagram summarising the photosynthesis process. At the second stage, all the prospective teachers were asked for the skill levels they possessed in the causal process to be assessed via implementation of the worksheet. The answers given by the preservice teachers in the defining variables section in particular make up the least answered section of the worksheet. In the section of the worksheet related to making inferences, The students were asked to write the four separate equations by revising them incrementally, and it is striking that the rates of correct answers given for each were high. There is a need for teaching materials to be designed in the field of science at university level and for these to be made available to science teachers in book format.

Copyright of EPPO Bulletin is the property of Wiley-Blackwell 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 this research, all the published names of Jasione (Campanulaceae) in the species, subspecies, and variety ranks for populations from the Balkan and Anatolian peninsulas are reviewed, including names of taxa allied to these groups in surrounding areas. These two areas are among the main centers of diversity of the genus, albeit no recent revisions to address the regional taxonomical complexity of the genus have been published for the Balkans and Anatolia. In this work, the taxonomic status and typification of twenty-six published names are discussed, including the plethora of names within the Jasione heldreichii, J. supina, and J. orbiculata taxonomic complexes. In total, eleven lectotypes and one neotype are designated for names from the aforementioned regions, plus one from southern Italy. This nomenclatural clarification establishes a reference for ongoing and future taxonomic and evolutionary studies of Jasione in the Mediterranean basin. In a genus prone to micro-endemism and cryptospeciation, a number of the historically described forms, despite being disregarded by current taxonomic treatments, may, therefore, deserve further attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats.) is a troublesome weed that causes significant damage to crops in many agricultural areas, and is considered an invasive species in many countries around the world. It was identified in 2016 and registered as a new species in the flora of Türkiye. Therefore, a study was conducted to survey this weed at regional scale in Cukurova Region of Türkiye in 2020. Studies were performed in Adana, Hatay, Mersin and Osmaniye provinces of Türkiye. The frequency, weed coverage (in agricultural areas) and density (in non-agricultural areas) of this weed were calculated. In evaluation of 456 coordinate points, frequency was calculated as 32%, although it was over 45% in some districts. A. palmeri coverage in the agricultural areas was found averagely 21.5%, and the density in the non-agricultural areas was 6.2 plants m-2. The agricultural areas where it has been observed mostly consist of citrus groves, corn, cotton and peanut fields. Results showed that A. palmeri became common in Cukurova region. Therefore, special attention should be paid to prevent spreading of this species to the other regions and effective management methods of this weed should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilobium and Chamaenerion included 165 and 8 species over the world, respectively. The members of the genera are distributed particularly in moist habitats from subpolar to tropical regions. This paper aims to provide improvements in the phylogeny of the genera Epilobium and Chamaenerion using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) of nuclear DNA and matK gene sequence data evaluation with maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference criterations. A total of 188 individual accessions belonging to 28 taxa were newly generated and 110 sequences imported from GenBank (NCBI) were analysed. The nrDNA and plastid DNA gene trees supported to treat Epilobium and Chamaenerion as separate genera in two well-supported clades. The matK analyses revealed a better resolution than nrDNA ITS within the Chamaenerion clade and supported the inclusion of C. angustifolium in the sect. Chamaenerion. However, most of the examined species mostly fell into the polytomy in both trees excluding E. roseum subsp. consimile which should be considered a distinct species in the Epilobium contrary to morphological treatment in many national flora books. Both phylogenetic trees also support distinguishing E. prionophyllum from E. anatolicum previously treated as a subspecies of E. anatolicum. In conclusion, these preliminary phylogenetic analyses have contributed significantly to the determination of the limits of members belonging to Epilobium and Chamaenerion distributed in Türkiye. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of bryological researches in the Kümbet High Plateau of Giresun province (Turkey), a total of 289 bryophyte taxa belonging to 131 genera and 64 families, of which are 50 liverworts and 239 mosses, were determined from 40 different localities. Among them, Neckera pumila and Pseudephemerum nitidum new to A4 grid square and all bryophyte taxa are new for Kümbet high plateau. Collected localities and substrata are presented at bryofloristic list. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most abundant genera in the flora of Türkiye is Centaurea L. (Asteraceae). There are 787 species in the world and 174 species in Türkiye, 126 taxa are endemic to Türkiye. The Centaurea antiochia Boiss. var. antiochia Boiss., Centaurea antiochia Boiss. var. praealta (Boiss. & Bal.) Wagenitz, Centaurea nerimaniae Ş. Kültür are the subject of a comparative anatomical investigation. The aim of this study is to determine and compare the anatomical features of three different Cantaurea taxa, two of which are endemic. The morphological features of these three taxa are very similar to each other. For this reason, the determination of anatomical features has a special importance in terms of detecting the differences of species. Centaurea taxa were collected by authors. The Centaurea specimens were identified and placed in ISTE (The Herbarium of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Istanbul University). In order to conduct anatomical research, the sample was fixed in 70% alcohol. Sartur solution was used to stain cross sections of the stem, leaves, and leaf surface sections and the anatomical features have been investigated. The glandular and non glandular trichomes, mesophyll cells, stomatal index, and stomata structures were compared. This is the first anatomical study on these three Centaurea taxa. They have amphistomatic and isobilateral leaves. It has multicellular, long non-glandular hairs as well as short stalked, big-head glandular hairs on the epiderma. In sclerencymatic tissue, a vascular bundle is inserted. These anatomical characteristics match those of the Centaurea species that have already been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Forestry Society of Croatia / Sumarski List Hrvatskoga Sumarskoga Drustva is the property of Forestry Society of Croatia 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 this study is to present the details of a practice that is carried out within the scope of Community Service Practices Course from a scientific perspective. And also to investigate the views of the pre-service teachers related to the topic. Research design is determined as a case study method. For the data collection, interview method was used from qualitative data collection methods. The sample is composed of 8 pre-service primary school teachers. Within the relevant course, a potted flower to be determined by the pre-service teachers was planted in a pot in a suitable place in the faculty, and the students were given the task of undertaking all kinds of care for the flower during the semester. Semi-structured interviews with the pre-service teachers were held at the end of the term and their opinions were taken. According to the results, all of the pre-service teachers find the implementation useful and important for their teaching career. They stated that they got information about flower care, they gained awareness and they were impressed affectively.

The aim of this study is to present pre-service biology teachers with reading texts about the research of Van Helmont and Joseph Priestley relate to the subject of photosynthesis, for their familiarization with the processual and contextual aspects of science and their understanding of the nature of science, and to reveal the extent to which these texts contribute to the teacher candidates. The study was carried out by "action research method". The sample consisted of 66 biology pre-service teachers studying at Karadeniz Technical University between the years of 2016 to 2018. In this study, two separate reading texts were prepared in order to increase pre-service teachers' processual and contextual understanding, and after the teacher candidates had read the texts, they were asked to answer the related questions. Percentage and frequency values were determined by grouping the answers as "correct, partially correct, incorrect and unanswered". The fact that in this study, only 47% of the pre-service teachers were able to form a correct hypothesis means that their skills in this regard are in need of development. Candidates experienced some difficulty in interpreting statements that were not given explicitly in the text. The candidates' level of critical thinking is at a good level. It has been determined that they have post-modern view as epistemological belief. There is a need for designing instructional materials covering conceptual, processual, contextual dimensions of science in different subjects at university level and presenting them to biology teachers in book format.

The purpose of this study is to present an activity designed according to inquiry-based science approach and its implementation. The activity set up towards guided inquiry and was performed with participating 12 preservice science teachers and 24 eighth grade students. The activity started with a daily-life problem related to Yozgat Çamlik National Park. First, envelopes, presented as hidden documents signed by park chief, and a research kit were provided to learners. Then a nature trip was organized to identify species of plants listed in the distributed inventory. Learners expressed the problem (the national park's bio-diversity is decreasing) as a result of interpreting the data collected in a nature trip. Learners were asked to form hypotheses about factors effecting bio-diversity and determine investigation methods to test their hypotheses. At final, learners reported the results and research processes. The activity can be used both in science and biology courses.

In this study, Suaeda aegyptiaca (Hasselquist) Zohary is reported as a new record for Turkish flora from Akçakale district in Şanlıurfa province. The species is classified under section Salsina Moq. of the genus Suaeda Forssk. ex J.F. Gmel. in Suaedoideae subfamily. The comprehensive description, distribution maps in Turkey, habitat features, morphological characteristics and digital images of the species are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine gifted and talented students' views about biology activities in a science and art center. The study was conducted with 26 gifted and talented students who studied at a science and art center in southwestern Turkey. Students studied animal and plant genus and species in biology activities. Data were collected through a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and content analyses methods. The research results revealed that the students had a great interest in the animals and plants, which they could not see nor examine closely in their own daily life. Since they found the activities enjoyable, interesting, and exciting, they liked biology courses much more. The results are discussed in terms of the education of the gifted and talented students.

Pelargonium quercetorum Agnew grows naturally in the Hakkari province of Türkiye. Although P. quercetorum Agnew has potential use as a medicine and ornamental plant, it is especially used as a medicinal plant for the cure of various diseases by local people. In vitro tissue culture methods are favorable for the propagation, conservation, and breeding of medicinal plants. We aimed in this study to achieve regeneration of P. quercetorum Agnew from different explant types. Seeds of P. quercetorum Agnew were germinated in vitro conditions and explants were taken from these germinated sterile plantlets. Totally four different experiments, containing three of them embryogenic and one of them organogenic culture, were established to achieve regeneration in P. quercetorum Agnew. Leaf, petiole, cotyledon, cotyledon stalk, and root collar disc were used as explant. Different concentrations of 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic (2,4-D), 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA), 6- Furfurylaminopurine (Kinetin), 6-(γ,γ-Dimethylallylamino) purine (2iP), and Thidiazuron (TDZ) were used to induce embryogenic or organogenic regeneration. Explants were cultured in half-strength or full-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. In the embryogenic experiments, callus formation from different media ranged from 63.5% to 100%, and for explant types ranged from 39% to 100%. In the organogenic experiment, callus formation from different media ranged from 12.5% to 100%, and for explant types ranged from 71% to 93%. Also, embryo-like structures were obtained from embryogenic experiments. However, these structures could not grow more and transformed into plantlets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant blindness is defined as the inability to notice plants in one's own environment, recognize their importance for the environment and human beings, appreciate their aesthetic and unique biological features, and the tendency to rank plants as inferior to animals. Many people exhibit symptoms of plant blindness (Wandersee & Schussler, 1999). This study examines the implementation of two instructional strategies and compares the effect of each on students' plant awareness. One of the instructional methods had students prepare a book about plants with interesting characteristics. The other involved a field trip to a botanical garden. Fifty-six students in 6th grade (28 students in each intervention group) participated in the study. A matched-pair design was used in the research, using an open-ended questionnaire to gather data. Each item of the questionnaire focused on one symptom of plant blindness and the items in the questionnaire were analysed separately. Frequencies, percentages, and chi-square analyses were used to determine if there were significant differences in the pre- and post-survey responses after each intervention, and if there were significant differences in student responses between the two interventions. Students had significantly higher post-survey plant awareness scores on some but not all survey items after both interventions. There were no significant differences between post-survey scores of the two intervention groups. It was concluded that both teaching interventions (preparing a book about plants with interesting characteristics and taking a field trip to a botanical garden) had similar positive effects and resulted in higher student plant awareness and lower plant blindness.

In this study, a total of 248 moss samples were collected from 25 stations as a result of the field studies carried out in the Acarlar Lake Longoz Forests during the different vegetation periods of 2016 and 2017. According to the identification studies of the collected samples, 23 families, 58 genera and a total of 93 taxa belonging to these genera were determined. Of the determined taxa, 29 are new records for Sakarya province bryophyte flora and 6 taxa are new records for A2 square. Also, registered from this region; Atrichum crispum, Pseudephemerum nitidum and Dicranella staphylina are also important species for bryophyte flora of Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caves are specific ecosystems with both biotic and abiotic characteristics. Turkey has approximately 20,000 caves, and the biology of most of them has yet to be studied. Kaklik Cave is sinkhole-shaped and its entrance is quite large. A mineral-rich spring forms travertine as it enters the cave giving it unique characteristics. The study aims to determine the algal flora of Kaklik Cave. A total of eighty-six taxa were identified. Among them, twenty-one taxa were recorded for the first time as freshwater algal flora of Turkey. Also, the relationships among the most effective environmental parameters, the most frequently found algae taxa composition, and sampling sites were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]