AN EVALUATION ON THE PRESENT AND PAST EXISTENCE OF OAK (Quercus L.) IN THE KAHRAMANMARA？ CITY

Oaks (Quercus spp.) have not seen much of the value they deserve in our country; however, they are very valuable woody plants for forest and urban ecosystems. It was determined that there were currently 5 oak taxa naturally in the Kahramanmara？ city. The existence of oak in the city was very limited, and the existence of kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) was relatively more than the other taxa. In the forests of the Kahramanmara？ city in the past, it has been estimated that the oaks, especially kermes oak, gall oak (Quercus infectoria subsp. veneris) and Persian oak (Quercus brantii), had an important place. It has been thought that the oaks have been subjected to extensive use and destruction due to human settlements and urbanization; and thus the oak existence in the city has been greatly reduced in the historical process. The current oak remnants in the city should be preserved to the extent possible, and the oak taxa should also be included in urban afforestation in Kahramanmara？