The joint project of Head of Department of Landscape Architecture of Near East University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Özden Fuller and Academic Member of Faculty of Veterinary of Near East University Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wayne Fuller on “the impact of agricultural applications on biodiversity” was published as a scientific article in an international journal.

According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations of Near East University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Özden Fuller and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wayne Fuller carried out a joint study with the Head of Department of Biological Sciences and Geography of Exeter University, Prof. Dr. Dave Hodgson; and their study was recently published in a journal of SCI Expanded under the title “The effect of Agricultural applications on biodiversity in the Semi-arid Mediterranean Region”.

A Research was carried out on the effects on living organisms which are exposed to various agricultural applications in Cyprus olive tree gardens...
The project executive Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Özden Fuller, expressed that they were aware of the possible negative effects on living organisms caused by intensive agricultural applications and through this study, they had scrutinised the effects of various agricultural applications on the biodiversity in that area.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fuller stated that they had focused on the effects on the living organisms from the various agricultural applications utilized in Cyprus olive tree gardens and taht they had examined invertebrates in gardens with intensive ploughing and pesticide use; in gardens with little agricultural applications (only ploughed once a year and no pesticides used); and in olive tree gardens with no agricultural applications at all. Thus, the status of invertebrate fauna and biodiversity in 12 different olive tree gardens were examined and compared. The canopy of olive trees, the vegetation under the trees and the invertebrates on the surface of earth were scrutinised over a period of 8 months. Resultantly, it was found out that the biodiversity of invertebrates in areas without intensive agricultural applications was rather high whereas in gardens with physical manipulation, pesticide and fertilizer use, the biodiversity was rather limited.

The research was supported by the owners of the gardens who are also producers…
It was pointed out that the researchers of this study made the necessary connections with the owners of the olive tree gardens and acquired the required consents. Furthermore, the owners of the olive tree gardens provided detailed information regarding the agricultural applications. In this regard, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Özden Fuller expressed gratitude to the producers who provided support throughout the research study.

There will be future joint studies with Exeter University...
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Özden Fuller provided details regarding Prof. Dr. Dave Hodgson from Exeter University, who provided consultation service to the research, and stated that he was the Head of Department of Biological Sciences and Geography and was also the Director of Ecology and Conservation Centre. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özge Özden Fuller added that future joint studies with Exeter University will be conducted.