çoban s., AKGÜL M.
23rd International Workshop of the European Vegetation Survey, Ljubljana, Slovenia, 8 - 12 May 2014, pp.118, (Full Text)
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Publication Type:
Conference Paper / Full Text
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City:
Ljubljana
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Country:
Slovenia
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Page Numbers:
pp.118
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Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Affiliated:
No
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in main tree species of Belgrade Forest
from 1888 to present. In the study, historical maps (dating 1888 and 1938) were
digitalized in ArcGIS 10.0 and the area of forest types was calculated. Areal chang
es in forest types were compared with the maps of plant communities (1986) and
latest forest management plan (2012–2022).
Belgrade forest is the most important forest part in the northern forest zone
of Istanbul. The forest owes its presence to water resources and aqueducts built in
Byzantium and Ottoman periods supplying water to the city. First degradations
appear with the effects of settlements inside forest. The map prepared in 1888
shows that villages move inside the forest as meadows and farmlands. Similarly,
grazing is seen in degraded hornbeam coppice stands (413 ha). In addition, coppice
stands of chestnut covers of 1263 ha, while oak high forest has an area of 1131 ha.
However, after the removal of settlements in the forest, i.e. Belgrade village, and
the establishment of the forestry school (1857) near Belgrade forest (Bahçeköy),
the forest regenerated naturally until 1st World War.
The most destructive damages occurred after 1st World War (1918–1923) due to
authority gap. During this period over cuttings mostly affected valuable oak stands.
As a result, stands in the form of degraded coppice increased particularly around set
tlements close to the forest. It was calculated that coppice forest of oak covers 1343 ha
and chestnut increased from 1263 ha (1888) to 1329 ha in the map of 1938. In addi
tion, meadows and farmlands are seen as coppice stands of oak and chestnut in 1938.
From 1938 to 1986, effective conservation policy made a positive influence
on the forest composition. According to a phytosociological study carried out by
Yönelli (1986), Belgrade forest is composed of Quercus petraea subsp. ibericaCarpinus betulus community which has Quercus frainetto, Fagus orientalis and typical
(Castanae sativa) subcommunities. In vegetation map of Yönelli (1986), pure and
mixed stands of oak species (Quercus frainetto, Quercus petraea) are seen all over
the forest. However, stands of chestnut have dramatically decreased due to Ink dis
ease (Phytophthora cambivora (Petri) Buisman) and Chestnut blight (Cryphonectria
parasitica (Murrill) Barr). In the map, Castanae sativa subcommunity has an area
of 426 ha but it is found in groups or individually in the forest. From 1986 to 2012,
forest types haven’t changed considerably.
In spite of long term protection, the forest still carries the traces of irregular utilization in the past. Currently, pure and mixed coppice and high stands are found in forest