Student:	Derya MUMCU
Supervisor:	Prof.Dr. Emin Zeki BAŞKENT
Department:	Orman Mühendisliği
Institution:	Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences
University:	Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey

Title of the Thesis:	Ecosystem Based Multi Objective Planning (EBMOP) of Yalnızçam Forest and Evaluation of Forest Dynamics Focusing on Rotation Age
Level:	M.Sc.
Acceptance Date:	22/8/2007
Number of Pages:	109
Registration Number:	i1855

Summary:

The Ecosystem Based Multiple Objective Planning (EBMOP) approach has

motivated the classical forest management planning system to be revised. The solo forest

rotation ages are realized to be inadequate in our country. In this study the effects of

various rotations ages on management outputs such as timber production, water production

and net carbon balance were evaluated and the corresponding economical values of each

output were determined in terms of Net Present Value (NPV).

Yalnızçam Planning Unit of Göle Forest Enterprise was used as the case study area.

In this way, the best rotation age was evaluated using linear programming technique with

EBMOP approach. In this context; 80, 90, 100, 110 and 120 ages were tried as rotation

ages for timber production dominated management areas, and 180 and 200 ages were tried

as rotation ages for conservation based management areas. 16 different forest management

strategies were developed based on objective functions, area control, 10 % harvest flow

and threshold net carbon sequestration constraints for all rotation ages. The LP based forest

age was investigated over ten 10-year period 100 year planning horizon.

In conclusion; it is found out that same objective function and constraints generated

different forest output values when different rotation ages are used. Moreover, the amount

Besides, due to the strong interactions between water production and open forest lands,

However, when the NPV of forest outputs were considered as management objectives in

plans, the optimal rotation did change.

Keywords: Rotation Age, Forest Management, Ecosystem Based Multi Objective

Planning (EBMOP), Linear Programming, Net Present Value