Ecological Conditions and Distribution of Vegetation on Southern Slopes of Kaz Mountains – Turkey RECEP EFE a , ABDULLAH SOYKAN a , SA CÜREBAL a , EMN ATASOY b , SÜLEYMAN SÖNMEZ a a Balikesir University, Department of Geography, Balıkesir, Turkey b Uludag University, Faculty of Education, Bursa, Turkey Abstract The study aims to present the ecology of vegetation on the southern slopes of Kaz Mountains situated on the northwest of Turkey. The highest peak of Kaz Mt. that lay on the east-west direction to the north of Edremit Bay is 1774 meter. Elevation factor caused the formation of vegetation zones in Kaz Mt. by affecting temperature and rainfall. Two separate main zones were formed on the southern slopes. The section up to 800 m starting with the sea level is the lower zone and the section that is higher than 800 m is the upper zone. Red pine (Pinus brutia) and Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra) forests are dominant in the lower and upper zones respectively. Subalpine zone is situated above the upper zone. The southern and northern facing slopes form an ecological asymmetry. Different ecosystems are prominent in the southern and northern slopes. Four zones have been formed in terms of elevation as lower and upper zone vegetations, subalpine layer and humid in-valleys. The ecological conditions for each of these zones which are habitat to unique flora are different. Key words: Kaz Mountains, Ecology, Vegetation, Pinus brutia, Pinus nigra Introduction Kaz Mountain is situated on the northwest of Turkey on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Kaz mountain ranges running parallel Aegean Sea creates a barrier for cold air masses moving south, they cause abundant rainfall on the mountain slopes facing the north. On the southern part valleys run perpendicularly towards the coast, which allow the maritime climate to prevail several kilometers inland. Climate, Geological and topographic structure are among the main factors affecting diversity of plant species in Kaz Mountains. The southern section of Kaz Mt. hosts flora that is endemic to Mediterranean phytogeographic region. There is a rather sensitive balance in the relationship between mankind and natural environment in this area which is prone to high levels of draught in summers. Land cover degradation due to destruction of vegetation is common. Land use and conservation of flora that is rare and in danger of extinction in areas that draught is harsh are highly important. Geomorphological features of the area, the adjacent nature of mountains and valleys and the presence of dense and deep valleys have increased the diversity of flora in the region. Mediterranean climate is effective in Kaz Mt. and its immediate vicinity. However, elevation and exposure have changed the effects of this climate. Temperature drops and rainfall increases with the rise in elevation. Northern facing slopes are under the effect of northerly winds. Exposure and inclination conditions of the slopes also affect the reception of sun energy and warming. Hence, orographic steps for the sub tropical climate effective in the area and micro climactic differences according to southern and northern slopes were caused. In Kaz mountains, 900 taxons were