No abstract

Aim : Methodology :Results : I n t e r p r e t a t i o n :The aim of this study was to identify the types of Maquis and Garrigues, their features, spread areas and growing conditions, and to compare the ecological features of the Maquis and Garrigue and Calabrian pines (Pinus brutia Ten.) in Cyprus.The plant species, which were collected from different steps of heights and different locations, were identified with the help of herbarium specimens. Additionally, maps were used in order to show the groups, structures characteristically and composition in detail. In order to show the changes in plant layers according to height; north-south, north-west, south east directions, plant and soil bedrock sections where identified and cross-sections were drawn.Calabrian pines, showed an unquestionable dominance over other forest species, but not over Maquis and Garrigue vegetation. Maquis species are able to sprout again after forest fires due to their deep root systems which were not affected by fire. Therefore, following the fires or heavy damages, they spread and even closed in a way that the seeds spilled from the thinning Calabrian pines got no space to germinate. They increased their dominance without human intervention.T h e investigations reveal that maquis and garrigues have a greater physiological capacity and ability to adapt to the climate than Calabrian pines. They also make some changes in their organs to show a greater resistance than Calabrian pines and spread more.

No abstract

A wide range of botanists, ecologists, foresters and geographers see eucalyptuses as a potential danger for the environment, which can be considered as an asset instead. This study includes the views that eucalyptus trees do not change the ecological environment, neither can have a major influence on it, unless the natural vegetation of an area is vastly removed and eucalyptus trees are planted in their place. In Cyprus, this is not the case, Eucalyptuses were planted individually or in small groves only in the extremely dry Mesaoria Region extending from Güzelyurt (Morpho) Bay to Mağusa (Famagusta) Bay. On the other hand, planting eucalyptus trees in the chalky and clay hills of the Mesaoria, on the dry rendzina in the Pahna formations and in the vast Flysch Series which are in contact with the southern hillsides of the Kyrenia Mountains, is indispensible for ecological support. The most important factor in the success of eucalyptus planting in Mesaoria is the extremely dry climate of the region. In this study, discussion is carried out among the the views of vegetation geography lecturers and observations around the eucalyptuses of island.

The objective of this work was to evaluate some of the mechanical and physical properties of the flooring materials manufactured from panels having magnesia substrate overlaid with oak veneer (Querqus alba) and linoleum sheets. Commercially manufactured panels were used in this work. Bending characteristics, internal bond strength, thickness swelling, and surface quality of the samples were evaluated. The highest modulus of elasticity (MOE) value of 4406 MPa for the sample type-A2 was loaded in the direction of the substrate followed by 3478 MPa for linoleum covered samples which were loaded in the same direction. Internal bond strength values of the panels did not show any significant differences from each other. Dimensional stability of the specimens in the form of thickness swelling for both 2-h and 24-h water soaking tests resulted in values ranging from 0.11 to 0.19%. The surface quality of the samples was not substantially influenced as a function of water exposure. Based on the results in this work magnesium substrate overlaid with oak veneer and linoleum panels could have potential to be used as flooring material with accepted properties.