Stand Analysis and Distribution Areas of European Aspen (Populus tremula L.) Forests in Türkiye

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyze the studies that have been done and need to be done on the general characteristics, distribution areas, and silviculture of European aspen stands naturally distributed in Türkiye. In the study, data obtained from the General Directorate of Forestry, Department of Forest Administration, and Planning for the year 2019 was used as the material. With these data, the spatial extent of European aspen stands in Türkiye was determined. Based on the obtained data, pure stands of European aspen, primarily in the regions where they have the most extensive spatial distribution, were examined on-site. Additionally, by evaluating the planning data in comparison with the current situation, European aspen stands were analyzed from a silvicultural perspective. The study determined that the total extent of European aspen forests in Türkiye is 278,013.7 hectares. Of the European aspen stands in Türkiye, 40.4% are in Elazığ, 17.3% in Erzurum, 15.7% in Trabzon, 11.4% in Kayseri, and 7.5% in Giresun Regional Directorates of Forestry. Furthermore, 92.3% of European aspen stands are located within these five regional directorates. Moreover, in Türkiye, 34,916.6 hectares of pure aspen stands and 13,745.6 hectares of stands dominated by aspen exhibit degraded qualities. Depending on the developmental stages, the largest spatial distribution in both pure stands (8,886.3 ha) and stands dominated by aspen (6,071.3 ha) has been identified in the ab developmental stages. When examining the developmental stages of European aspen in Türkiye, it's generally observed that young European aspen stands prevail. The management objective of same-aged pure and mixed aspen forests should be redefined according to both the succession stages and habitat conditions. In stands with ecological functions, protection and moderate interventions must be made, and in stands with production functions, necessary tending interventions must be made on time and sustainability must be ensured.