The relationship among ecosystem variables and physical and mechanical properties of eastern beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) wood grown in the coastal region of the western Black Sea region of Turkey

Turkey is among the countries that experiencing wood shortages. Therefore Turkish foresters need to do basic or applied research for Turkey?s important tree species in terms of wood production. Eastern beech is one of the most important wood producing species in turkey with accounting 20 % of the turkey?s total wood production. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationships among ecosystem variables and beech wood?s physical and mechanical properties.Research site is located in an eastern beech site located in western Black Sea region of Turkey (400 07? 05?? ? 410 05? 25?? N and 310 03? 26?? ? 310 12? 46?? E). The forest is managed by Akçakoca Forest Management Directorate. The sites have about Yearly 9 C0 average temperature with 1200 mm annual precipitation. Soil texture ranges from clay to clay loam and classified as Typic Haplumbrepts. Above ground canopy is mostly comprises eastern beech with the mixture of about % 10 chestnut (Castanea sativa).For the study 6 sites along the elevation and from changing site aspect were selected. For the each site 3 trees without any default and 100 m apart from each other were marked on tree directions. Then trees were fallen-down with a chain saw and carried to the mill and laboratory for the measurements.In addition forest floor and soil for the first 20 depths were sampled from 5 randomly located places on each site. From these samples soil pH, organic matter content, soil and organic matter macro-nutrient concentrations were determined. Besides for each sapling site elevation, site aspect, slope etc. were recorded. After measurements and analysis data were analyzed fort he correlation among site, soil, forest floor?s variables and wood?s mechanical and physical properties.Data revealed that slope and radial Janka hardness are negatively (P-value = 0.0264), elevation and volume shrinkage are positively (P- value = 0.0274), soil acidity and wood?s longitudinal Janka hardness are negatively (P- value = 0.0134) related. Besides forest floor N concentration is negatively related to wood tangential Janka hardness (P-value = 0.0085), tangential swelling (P- value = 0.0237), volume swelling (P- value = 0.0191), volume shrinkage (P- value = 0.0228) and impact bending strength (P- value = 0.0478). Forest floor phosphor concentration is positively related to radial swelling (P-value = 0.0002), but negatively related to longitudinal swelling (P-value = 0.03). Forest floor potassium concentration is negatively related to wood?s volume shrinkage (P-value = 0.0357).In order to meet increasing wood demand Turkish foresters need to necessary intensive management practices instead of relaying sites? natural wood production capacity. One of the priority is to define the ecosystem variables which can effect wood production in both quantity and quality aspect. Then intensive silvicultural practices can be applied these designated wood production sites. In addition remaining forest lands can be managed for the other function of the forest with society?s desire.