The Quaternary Climatic and Tectonic Development of the Murat River Valley (Muş Basin, Eastern Turkey) as Recorded by Fluvial Deposits Dated by Optically Stimulated Luminescence

The paper describes climatic and tectonic effects on fluvial processes of East Anatolia. This study from the Muş Basin contains three alluvial terrace levels (T3-T1) ranging from 30–35 m to 3–5 m above the present Murat River in its middle section. In order to provide a chronology for the evaluation of the significant, effects of climatic changes and tectonic uplift, we used optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of the river deposits of the youngest (T3) and medium terrace (T2). The ages from these terrace deposits show that the T3 has formed approximately 6.5 ka ago, i.e., during the last part of the Holocene (MIS 1) and T2 has formed nearly 25 ka ago, i.e., during MIS 2 at the ending of the last glacial period. According to these results, it appears that the Murat River established its terrace sequences both in cold and warm periods. The variations in climate oriented fluvial evolution between the East Anatolia fluvial system and the temperate-periglacial fluvial systems in Europe may be the conclusion of different vegetation cover and melting thicker snow coverings in cold periods.

The era of digital transformation: Visualizing the geography of e-commerce usage in Turkey

It is noteworthy that volumes of e-commerce usage are spread over the population of the world, and the amount of transactions is quite high. In this sense, Turkey's situation is different from other countries. Although the volume of internet usage is similar to that of the world, the volume of e-commerce transactions is quite low. However, there is a stable increase in the e-commerce usage in Turkey. Between 2016 and 2020, the average annual growth rate of e-commerce usage has grown by 31% across the country. Considering the great increase in the e-commerce usage in Turkey, this study aims to visualize spatial distribution of the share of e-commerce usage over the provinces of Turkey. Findings of the research point out that the e-commerce usage shows a heterogeneous spatial distribution across Turkey. Due to the low population, in particular provinces (such as Kayseri and Karabük in Central Anatolia, Aydın in Aegean Region, and Van in East Anatolia), there is an expanding distortion around these cities regarding the ratio of e-commerce usage.

Ranunculus solhanensis (Ranunculaceae), a new species from eastern Turkey

Ranunculus solhanensis sp. nov. (Ranunculaceae) is described from Bingöl province (Eastern Anatolia) in Turkey. It is related to R. bulbilliferus and R. munzurensis also distributed in east Anatolia. The new species is easily distinguished from its relatives by morphological features of stem, corolla, stamen and achenes. Achenes and pollen characteristics have been assessed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Distribution, ecological data and IUCN conservation status of the new species are also provided.

A new Gladiolus (Iridaceae) species from East Anatolia (Turkey): Gladiolus hamzaoglui

Gladiolus hamzaoglui (Iridaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Erzincan province in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. It resembles G. halophilus by its secund inflorescence, obovoid fruit, and winged seed, and is related to G. anatolicus based on its leaf and flower features. Also it is compared to G. illyricus because of having some leaf, flower features, and winged seed characteristics. Its distribution, habitat and ecology, etymology, conservation status and diagnostic morphological, and taxonomic features with familiar species are discussed in this paper. Additionally, pollen and seed micromorphological characteristics of G. hamzaoglui, G. halophilus, and G. anatolicus are examined and compared using LM and SEM analyses. IUCN conservation status of G. hamzaoglui is suggested as Endangered (EN) category.