Resource information
This study analyses forest dynamics and land use/land cover change over a 43-year period using spatial-stand-type maps of temporal forest management plans of Karaisalı Forest Enterprise in the Eastern Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Stand parameters (tree species, crown closures and developmental stages) of the dynamics and changes caused by natural or artificial intervention were introduced and mapped in a Geographic Information System (GIS) and subjected to fragmentation analysis using FRAGSTATS. The Karaisalı Forest Enterprise was first planned in 1969 and then the study area was planned under the Mediterranean Forest Use project in 1991 and five-term forest management plans were made. In this study, we analysed only four periods (excluding 1982 revision plans): 1969, 1991, 2002 and 2012. Between 1969 and 2012, overall changes included a net increase of 3,026� ha in forested areas. Cumulative forest improvement accounted for 2.12� % and the annual rate of total forest improvement averaged 0.08� %. In addition, productive forest areas increased from 36,174 to 70,205� ha between 1969 and 2012. This translates into an average annual productive forest improvement rate of 1.54� %. At the same time, fully covered forest areas with crown closure of “3” (>70� %) increased about 21,321� ha, and young forest areas in developmental stage of “a” (diameter at breast height (dbh)
