Common macrophytes with potential for ethnobotany and medicinal in the Terme wetlands of the Yeşilırmak Delta

Abstract

The current research aimed to document the ethnobotany and medical important aquatic/semi-aquatic macrophytes common in the Terme wetlands in the Yeşilırmak Delta in northern Türkiye. To determine the ethno-medical potential of aquatic plants, the ethnobotanical knowledge of the local people was not used, and scientific studies on the subject were evaluated. There are rich lentic and lotic systems with different features, depths and sizes in the Yeşilırmak Delta. Macrophytes, used in the treatment of various ailments and whose bioactive properties are mentioned in the literature, were collected and identified through field research lasting five years (2017-2022). In the examinations, it was determined that Terme wetlands are very rich in terms of macrophyte diversity. A total of 22 water plant species with ethno-medicinal characteristics, belonging to 18 genera and 14 families, were documented from Terme wetlands. Plants consist of emerged, submersed, floating, and free-floating leaf species in aquatic/semi-aquatic habitats. It has been determined that some macrophytes (Azolla filiculoides Lam., Wolffia arrhiza (L.) Horkel ex Wimm., Salvinia natans (L.) All., Ceratophyllum demersum L., Ranunculus sphaerospermus Boiss & Blanche, R. trichophyllus Chaix ex Vill.) overgrow in different seasons. Literature research shows that existing aquatic plants are rich in bioactive compounds, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, etc. In addition to its effects, it has also been shown that it has the potential to be used in different areas of industry. Study findings show that Yeşilırmak Delta has significant potential in ethnobotanical aquatic plant richness. Aquatic plants have been ignored as medicinal plants in Türkiye. However, research shows that these plants, common in wetlands, have high potential for natural, commercial and pharmacological use. Determining the aquatic plant diversity and potential of wetlands can support ethnobotanical research. Macrophytes rich in edible and bioactive components can contribute to the region's economic, ecological and sociocultural activities. It can also ensure the protection of wetlands, which have been under increasing pressure from anthropogenic activities in recent years. Preserving wetlands, which have many functional features, is very important in terms of being least affected by global climate change, which is expected to increase its impact in the future and ensure the sustainability of natural balance and biodiversity.