The role of sumac (Rhus spp.) in ecosystem resilience against climate change

OpenAlex İngilizce

This study was conducted to demonstrate the contribution of the highly adaptable sumac plant to economic sustainability and its importance in protecting agricultural ecosystems resilient to climate crisis. Sumac (Rhus spp.) is a perennial plant species renowned for its remarkable adaptability to arid climatic conditions. This resilience positions sumac as a valuable species for alternative agriculture and ecosystem restoration, particularly in the context of escalating environmental challenges such as climate change and desertification. Various sumac species are naturally distributed across diverse regions of the world, with Anatolia being one of the primary centers of its occurrence. Beyond its ecological significance, sumac holds considerable importance due to its wide-ranging applications in the food and health sectors. Sumac, widely consumed in its spice form, is also extensively utilized in traditional medicine due to its well-documented antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, it is among the plant species employed in natural dye production. The cultivation of sumac presents a viable economic alternative, particularly for low-yield, sloping, or degraded lands. Its economic returns and potential for land utilization enable significant contributions to rural development, even in regions where the cultivation of many other agricultural crops is scarcely feasible. Furthermore, sumac’s role in reducing carbon emissions, a growing global concern, is noteworthy. Owing to its photosynthetic capacity and biomass production in arid environments, sumac functions as a natural carbon sink. In sum, sumac is a plant species that is highly tolerant to drought. Due to its versatile applications and environmental benefits, it holds strategic importance from both economic and ecological perspectives.