Urban vascular flora and ecologic characteristics of the Pendik District (Istanbul- Turkey)

In this study, the results of unplanned urbanization and possible preventive measures, which could be taken to the Pendik district, Istanbul-Turkey, are presented. In addition, different kinds of urban habitats and some ecologic characteristics within the frontiers of Pendik are described. Native, exotic, and cultivated plant taxa were realized and all the greenery in the area was explored during different seasons. A total of 538 plant species were examined, exposing that 418 species were natural and 120 species were exotic and cultivated within the district. The most observed native plant taxa were in the Asteraceae family (64 species), while the most found exotic plant family was Rosaceae (18 species). The most observed archaeophyte and neophyte plants in these taxa, as well as, endemic, rare, endangered, medicinal, and poisonous species are also discussed. Furthermore, this study emphasizes how the necessity of having ecological studies has become common in urban areas, in Istanbul and throughout the world. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]