Student:	Mustafa KARAKÖSE
Supervisor:	Doç.Dr. Salih TERZİOĞLU
Department:	Orman Mühendisliği
Institution:	Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences
University:	Karadeniz Technical University, Turkey

Title of the Thesis:	Monitoring Forest Plant Biodiversity Change in Hamsiköy Forest Planning Unit
Level:	M.Sc.
Acceptance Date:	6/2/2008
Number of Pages:	67
Registration Number:	i1891

Summary:

The study was designed to evaluate the change in spatial-temporal configuration of

secondary forest succession and generate measurements for monitoring the changes in

We computed several diversity indices and dominance measures based on

presence/absence data within the each sample plots.

The seral stages of secondary forest succession were determined according to

Clementsian theory by using 48 sample plots in the planning unit in 2007. The secondary

forest succession was generated and mapped using Geographic Information System (GIS) and

Remote Sensing (RS) along with aerial photographs. The results show that the forest has

developed towards the climax stage. In overall, 2170,3 ha of the area decreased, 3238,1 ha

increased and 12954,7 ha did not change in different seral stages.

The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether or not

there were significant differences in species richness of seral stages. The difference was not

statistically significant at a 95% confidence level.

The study also investigated temporal changes of spatial structure of forest conditions

over time using FRAGSTATSTM software. In terms of spatial configuration, the mean patch

size (MPS) and largest patch index (LPI) declined, the number of patches and fragmentation

of forest increased due to natural regeneration, plantation, legal and illegal utilization of forest

resources.

During the whole study period, the annual forestation account and the total increasing

are 38,1 and 875,5 ha respectively. As well, the biomass increased totally 49080, 3 tones.

Key Words: Plant Species biodiversity, GIS, Spatial Analyze, Secondary Forest Succession, Biomass, Fragmentation