Askan, G.; Yilmaz, H.

This study emphasizes outcomes such as the identification of biodiversity in urban areas within Türkiye, the development of strategies to ensure its continuity, the enhancement of resilience against climate change by utilizing natural species in terms of plant material, the effective utilization of resource values, and the creation of awareness at local, national, and international scales. Totally, 10 different educational areas were surveyed, counting 13,323 plants comprising 80 different species, of which 35 are part of the natural flora. In particular, we promote biodiversity in cities by encouraging the planting of more native trees and the use of a greater variety of species that can attract wildlife. Among the identified plants, there are 1,043 edible tree species, 1,871 broadleaf species, 2,393 coniferous species, 828 other ornamental plants, shrubs, and bush types totaling 7,126, and 62 climbing plant species. In these areas, plant species diagnostics, naturalness status, and analyses of edible trees and fruit-bearing plants were conducted. Analyses were also performed according to the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson diversity index, and Biyodost Educational Campus Index for each area. We recommend considering a design concept that caters not only to humans but also appeals to all living beings for completed and planned educational areas. New concepts such as Bıo-Frıendly Educatıonal Area require collaboration across different disciplines in this field. Academic circles should begin to take the lead in developing and implementing this concept. The collaborative work of these disciplines will contribute to the development of innovative approaches in the design, management, and sustainability of bio-friendly areas.

Kiliç, E.

This study was carried out between 2014 and 2017 in Erzincan province Turkey. Our aim was to test pathogenesis of soil isolated entomopathogenic fungi from Erzincan and the Myzus persicae (Sulzer), (Homoptera: Aphididae). A total of 78 entomopathogenic fungi isolates including 63 Beauveria bassiana and 15 Metarhizium anisopliae were obtained. Our study was followed by incubation for 12 days and the first cases were seen on the third day. It was recorded that B. bassiana isolates caused the highest mortality rate on the 3rd day (BbEMRKZ2a, 10.50%); 5th day (BbEMRKZ5b and BbEÜ3, 22.39%); 7th day (MaEM3i, 45.71); 9th day (BbEMRKZ1a and BbER4, 50.00%), and after 12 days (BbEİ5, 62.54%). Also, it was recorded that M. anisopliae isolates caused the highest mortality rate on the 3rd day (MaEMR1a, 5.78%), 5th day (MaET3, 23.32%), 7th day (BbER4, 37.4%), 9th day (MaEİ3 50.84%), and after 12 days (MaET3, 60.01%). In the control group, the highest mortality rate was 1.12% at the end of the incubation period.

Güneş, M.; Sökmen, T.Ö.; Kirici, M.

This study aimed to determine the metal (Al, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) levels in the gill, liver, and muscle tissues of some fish species, water and sediment samples taken from Tercan Dam Lake (Erzincan, Turkey). Initially, some physico-chemical parameters of the water such as temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen were measured, and the relationship was determined between these parameters and the metal levels detected in the water. According to the analysis conducted on the water and the sediment, the most frequent metal was determined to be Fe. During the analyses conducted in the water, Pb and Zn metals were not detected, and all metals were detected in the sediment. It was determined that metals accumulated to a higher degree in the liver and gill tissues compared to muscle tissues. The harmfulness of the metal amounts determined in the water, sediment, and fish tissues was evaluated by comparing them to the acceptable values determined by national and international institutions.

Kiliç, E.; Yazici, A.; Örtücü, S.

Developing good microbial pesticides depends on isolating and knowing their pathogenicity. For this purpose, entomopathogenic Metarhizium anisopliae fungi were isolated from soils in Erzincan province and galleria bait method was used. Molecular identification of the isolates was performed by using ITS rDNA analysis. As a test organism, Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor larvae were used and suspensions of 2×107 conidia ml-1 were prepared adding Tween 80®. Bioassays were performed by dipping technique and mortality was recorded daily for 12 days. Each assay consisted of 3 replicates with 10 insects larvae. Ten fungal isolates were obtained from the bait method. Based on classical and molecular methods, all fungal isolates were identified as M. anisopliae and deposited into GenBank database with MH104853 - MH104862 accession numbers. All isolates of M. anisopliae were pathogenic to G. mellonella and T. molitor with a mortality rate of 63.3±3.3% - 83.3±3.3% and 30±5.8% - 66.7±3.3%, respectively 12 days after application. As a result, MaEMR1a and MaEO3 isolates can be applied as good biological control agents for pest insects.