Plants

The alarming loss of seagrass meadows in the Dardanelles poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity, warns an expert.

Within the scope of the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Türkiye's (TÜBİTAK) study, the effects of mucilage on seagrass meadows, which have an important place in marine biodiversity, were investigated by a team of 12 people in the Dardanos region.

In order to take advantage of the lavender plant's capacity to flourish with little water, a village teacher in the southeastern province of Şırnak has taken the initiative to spread lavender gardening throughout the village, due to the region's water shortage.

Bulgaria imported more than 55,000 tons of fresh vegetables in the first two months of this year alone - according to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute. For the same period, the import of fresh fruit in Bulgaria was nearly 66,000 tons.

The "Lost Tulip," which became extinct in Anatolia in 1896, has bloomed again in the northern province of Bartın's Amasra district, its homeland, offering a mesmerizing site to look at with its beautiful red and orange tones.

Dried apricot exports from Malatya, which was among the several provinces affected by the powerful earthquakes that hit Türkiye's south in early February, increased by 2 tons in the January-April period from a year ago.

Malatya accounts for 85 percent of the apricot production in the world.

Russia has increased Türkiye's tomato import quota from a previous 350,000 tons to 500,000 tons, raising hopes among local growers that exports to this country will recover.

In a bid to prevent illegal tree-cutting, QR codes will be placed on the roots and logs of trees that have been cut down for natural reasons, as the codes will provide information about when, by whom and why the tree was chopped.

Noting that previously the cut-down trees were stamped, General Director of Forestry (OGM) Bekir Karacabey stated they will now be digitally protected.

Everything is coming up roses in Nova Gorica as the 18th annual Festival of Roses is starting on 27 April. Running until 21 May, this celebration of the rose will feature different flower-related events and workshops.

In a forest in southern Chile, a giant tree has survived for thousands of years and is in the process of being recognized as the oldest in the world.

Known as the "Great Grandfather," the trunk of this tree measuring 4 meters in diameter and 28 meters tall is also believed to contain scientific information that could shed light on how the planet has adapted to climatic changes.

Two things are certain: Irini Kakoulidou will finally get a holiday this summer and it won't be on Tinos. That is not to say her love of the island she's been attached to for the past 30 years is in any way diminished, but after running the Xotiko bistro there for four years with her husband, she needs a break.