Abstract:

There are around twenty valleys in the area called "Little Cappadocia" within the borders of Nevşehir province. These valleys, formed by the erosion of tuff material by water over thousands of years, have a unique microclimate in the continental climate. In this study, the epilitic bryophyte vegetation in the Gomeda Valley located in the Cappadocia Region (Nevşehir) was investigated. During the field studies, 30 sample areas were determined on the rocks in the valley, and three politic communities, Lewinskya rupestris - Grimmia pulvinata, Grimmia crinite - Grimmia pulvinate and Grimmia anadon – Grimmia pulvinata, and 30 moss taxa were determined by evaluating these sample areas. For the numerical analysis of the sample areas on the rocks, CA (Cluster Analysis) CoA (Correspondance Analysis) and PCA (Principal Component Analysis) methods included in the PAST (Paleontological Statistics) program were used. As a result of the study, according to the number of repetitions of the taxa in the communities, the class, order, and alliance were determined. In addition, the life form and life strategy analyze of the communities were made and their relations with the epilitic substrate and microclimate were in vestigated.

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