Long-term post-fire succession of Pinus brutia forest in the east Mediterranean

We studied post-fire long-term regeneration of a south-western Turkey (Antalya region) forest using the synchronical approach. We analysed species richness patterns and vegetation diversity. Species were grouped according to plant functional types and special emphasis was given to seeders and resprouters. We recorded two plant species richness peaks, with the highest richness immediately following the fire and with the second peak 7 years after disturbance. Beta diversity decreased over time but also showed two peaks. The results of our floristic survey show that the majority of species are present from the beginning of the succession and suggest that Pinus brutia forests of the east Mediterranean basin recover through autosuccession. However, changes in species richness and beta diversity indicate successional changes and thus we cannot completely support the model of direct recovery.