Biodiversity and Landscape Use of Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in the Coruh Valley of Turkey

The Sea buckthorn, one of the most important wild edible fruits widely grown in Northeastern part of Turkey, is characterized by resistance to hard environmental conditions and looks spectacular, especially in autumn and winter when it is decorated with orange berries. Climatic conditions in Northern Anatolia are suitable for the growing of the Sea buckthorn, which can be encountered in various dry areas as well as by riversides. Local people traditionally processed or preserved sea buckthorn fruits (berries). The decorative sea buckthorn shrubs/trees and berries are an important element of natural landscape in Northeastern Anatolia. The aim of the study was to define the biodiversity among trees/shrubs, berries and leaves of the Sea buckthorn accessions based on morphological and biochemical data. Results showed a high diversity among accessions in terms of plant, leaf and berry characteristics. Berry diameter, length and 100 berry weight ranged from 5.48 to 7.18 mm; 6.64 to 9.14 mm and 15 to 26 g, respectively. A wide variability of berry skin colour was observed to be yellow, light yellow, dark yellow, yellow orange, orange and dark orange. The anthocyanin content varied from 7 to 38 mg/l berry juice.