Experimental arid land afforestation in Central Anatolia, Turkey Oktay Yildiz & Ernaz Altundağ & Bilal Çetin & Ş. Teoman Güner & Murat Sarginci & Bulent Toprak Received: 15 January 2018 /Accepted: 11 May 2018 # Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018 Abstract The afforestation of arid lands faces many challenges, and perhaps the most important key for success is choosing one or more species that are adapted well for local environmental conditions. We explored species that would be suitable for the steppe region of Central Anatolia. Intensive site preparation included ripping the subsoil (to 80 cm) and plowing the upper soil before planting seedlings of Elaeagnus angustifolia, Robinia pseudoacacia, Fraxinus angustifolia, and Pinus nigra were used as tree species. We also tested the success of several shrub species: Amygdalus orientalis, Calligonum polygonoides, and Spartium junceum. After five growing seasons, E. angustifolia showed the highest survival, with 80% of planted seed- lings remaining. For the shrubs, A. orientalis was the most successful species with a 95% survival rate. Broad- leaved trees grew a cumulative average of 34 cm in height in 5 years, whereas P. nigra seedings grew only 9 cm. The greatest height growth occurred in the shrubs, with A. orientalis gaining 40 cm in height in 5 years. Overall, E. angustifolia and A. orientalis appeared best suited for afforestation in these areas. R. pseodoacacia and F. angustifolia may also be used as alternative species. Keywords Arid land . Afforestation . Plant nutrition . Soil productivity . Elaeagnus angustifolia . Robinia pseudoacacia . Fraxinus angustifolia . Pinus nigra Introduction Land degradation and restoration are pressing issues throughout the world, providing large challenges and opportunities for environmental management. Degrada- tion and desertification of arid zones can result from unfavorable climatic factors and anthropogenic distur- bances such as conversion of marginal pastures into agricultural land and overgrazing (Dregne 1976; Atwell et al. 1999; Kijne 2006; Bilen 2009). Erosion is also an important driver of land degradation, especially in Turkey where about 75% of land is prone to soil erosion due to steep slopes along with disturbance of plant cover and unsuitable tillage practices. Arid regions of inland Turkey are dominated by low precipitation. The climate is perpetually hot and dry throughout the summer. This condition is brought about by the movement of tropical air masses originating from the North African and Arabian deserts. Severe winds across these vast plains increase evaporation and the humidity deficits. Apart from low annual rainfall and reduced biologi- cal activities, persistent exposure of the land surface to erosion has led to the soil remaining continuously in an Environ Monit Assess (2018) 190:355 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-6724-1 O. Yildiz (*) : B. Çetin : M. Sarginci : B. Toprak Forestry Faculty, Düzce University, Konuralp, 81620 Düzce, Turkey e-mail: oktayyildiz@duzce.edu.tr E. Altundağ Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey Ş. Teoman Güner Eskişehir Soil and Ecological Research Institute, General Directorate of Forestry, Ankara, Turkey