Abstract :
Tree and plant species found in forests provide vital ecosystem services and contribute a lot to the diversity in forests. Trembling Poplar (Populus tremula L.) is the only tree species that has created natural forests on Mount Erciyes at the height of 1900-2200 meters. This study would help to determine and evaluate the geographical location of the natural aspen forests on Mount Erciyes, vegetation period and climate type, together with the habitus, closeness and the nature of the trees, and would offer a solution for the decisions of silvicultural forest treatments. The study has been conducted in three different parts of Mount Erciyes. As a result, The forestry activities should be performed cautiously for Trembling Poplar forests that grow under ecologically difficult and extreme climate conditions. Trembling Poplar should not be accepted as pioneer species since there are no other forest trees that can compete in the area, and they should be embraced as climax species of those areas. The age of body rottenness should be determined as an important criterion during the decision of the management aim. If the body rottenness is starting at the early ages, the management should be done with respect to time/place arrangement, and if the body rottenness is starting at the later ages, the trees should be taken under treatment blocks. Massive afforestation should not be started before the origin trial of different species in empty regions and without cutting the existing Trembling Poplar forests. The trial of Trembling Poplar that adapted very well to the region should be considered together with Black pine, Birch, Taurus cedar, Scots pine, oak and Juniper in origin trial studies.
NaturalLanguageKeyword :
Erciyes Mountain , Trembling Poplar , Fast growing tree species , Gene protection forests
