The temporal effects of permitted areas on carbon accumulation: the case of orhaneli

This master's thesis aims to evaluate the effects of mining activities on carbon storage in forest ecosystems from a temporal perspective. Forest ecosystems are among the most critical natural carbon sinks, contributing to the global carbon cycle by capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂). However, anthropogenic activities such as mining lead to a reduction in forest areas, thereby decreasing their carbon storage capacity. In this context, the study examines the permitted mining areas within the Orhaneli Forest Enterprise Directorate, analyzing changes in carbon storage amounts using forest management plans from 2008 and 2017, as well as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)- based remote sensing techniques. The research findings reveal that mining activities induce variations in the carbon storage capacity of forest ecosystems. According to the analyses, the total carbon storage of five forest enterprise districts increased from 8,671,615 tons in 2008 to 9,362,177 tons in 2017, indicating a carbon storage capacity increase of 690,562 tons over nine years. However, despite this overall increase, decreases in carbon storage were observed in regions where mining activities were concentrated. Particularly in areas with intensive mining operations, carbon storage losses were detected, highlighting the impact of land-use changes in permitted mining sites on forest ecosystems. The study employs UAV-based imaging techniques to monitor the expansion processes of mining areas and to spatially map their effects on carbon storage. The analyses indicate that, although the total land area remained unchanged (1,733.4 hectares), a significant reduction in carbon stocks occurred. While the total carbon amount was 51,709 tons in 2008, it declined to 42,406 tons in 2017. Based on UAV data, these areas were classified as mining sites, leading to a calculated carbon storage value of zero. These findings clearly demonstrate the negative impact of mining-induced land-use changes on carbon stocks. The decrease in productive and degraded forest areas has contributed to carbon losses, further emphasizing the pressure exerted by mining permits on forest ecosystems. Thus, the study confirms that mining activities not only alter land structure but also have long-term effects on carbon storage processes. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can be effectively used to determine the impact of mining activities on the carbon storage capacity of forest ecosystems with high accuracy. UAV-based remote sensing methods have proven to be an effective tool for precisely and comprehensively detecting the spatial and temporal changes in carbon stocks. By mapping land-use changes in mining areas, the study reveals the negative effects of these alterations on carbon storage capacity, offering a valuable foundation for future research and sustainable land management strategies.