The research project titled "Changes in the Morphological-Anatomical Characteristics of Mediterranean Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) in the Forests of the Western Black Sea Region Based on Altitude and Aspect Differences," led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seray Özden Keleş, a faculty member in the Department of Forest Botany at the Faculty of Forestry, Kastamonu University, has been awarded support under the TÜBİTAK 1002 – Rapid Support Program. 

The project, which will last for 12 months and has a budget of 150,000 TL, will also include a graduate student as a scholarship participant. In the study, the natural populations of Mediterranean laurel, one of Turkey's medicinal and aromatic plants, in the Western Black Sea Region will be examined. 

Within the scope of the research, the effects of ecological factors, such as altitude and aspect, on the morphological characteristics and wood anatomy of the species will be examined. The aim is to reveal the species' structural responses to environmental variables using the data obtained. 

The study is expected to make scientific contributions to climate change adaptation, forest health assessment, and sustainable forest management. Additionally, it aims to obtain data to determine the optimal growth conditions for the Mediterranean laurel, which is distributed in the Western Black Sea Region. 

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, expressed his satisfaction with the national support for the scientific research conducted at our University in his evaluation of the project.

Our Rector, noting that qualified studies in the field of forestry have been carried out thanks to the Faculty of Forestry's academic accumulation and research infrastructure, stated that this project, supported by TÜBİTAK, will contribute to the sustainable management of forest ecosystems and provide opportunities for the training of young researchers. 

Our rector congratulated the academics and students who contributed to the project and wished them success. He also thanked the President of YÖK, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and the members of YÖK for their support of research activities in higher education, and Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın, the President of TÜBİTAK, for their contributions to university projects.