Selahattin Köse

Investigating the 40-Year Legacy of Forest Management Plans in Eastern Black Sea Forests of Turkey

Abstract Eastern Black Sea forests in Turkey have been managed with both even-aged and uneven-aged management approaches. The forests, however, are severely degraded and depleted as a result of mismanagement particularly in applying uneven-aged management practices. This paper explains and discusses the results of management plans in two consecutive periods, 1971-1990 and 1983-2004. The analysis showed that considerable changes occurred in planning parameters between the two periods: the forest landbase and allowable cut levels decreased and the growing stock increased. We demonstrated that several factors (inconsistent volume and increment tables, lack of silvicultural plans, lack of site classification, poor regional socio-economic structure, inconsistent forest management planning process and personnel policy) were together accountable for such dramatic changes and suggested few recommendations for better management of the regions diverse and fragile forest in the future.