Indicator Plant Species Analysis and Ecological Assessment of Tar Juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus L.)

This study aimed to evaluate the ecological characteristics and identify indicator plant species associated with Juniperus oxycedrus L. (tar juniper) in the Bozdağlar region. Field inventory studies were conducted in 170 sample plots, each measuring 20x20 m, and a data matrix was constructed. Indicator species analysis was performed using the PC-ORD software. The analysis identified 12 positive indicator plant species, with Aubrieta deltoidea, Muscari armeniacum, and Centaurea thirkei emerging as the most statistically significant positive indicators. However, no negative indicators of plant species were observed. These findings indicate that tar juniper is a species sensitive to environmental conditions, and the plant species associated with it provide valuable insights into the habitat characteristics of the region. This study underscores the adaptive capacity of tar juniper in arid and semi-arid ecosystems and highlights its ecological role in these habitats. These results are expected to contribute to the development of sustainable management strategies for tar juniper and forest ecosystems. Additionally, similar studies conducted in diverse geographical regions are anticipated to provide a broader understanding of the ecological functionality of this species and its sensitivity to environmental change.