Assessment of forest management certification systems in terms of planning and silviculture

With this master thesis, a sample of Araç Forest Management Directorate (Kastamonu Forest Regional Directorate), which has FSC Certificate and whose management plans were renewed with the Ecosystem Based Forest Management Planning (EBFP) approach, was utilized. The Ecosystem Based Functional Forest Management Plans (EBFFMP) have been evaluated in terms of planning and silviculture within the scope of the current legislation by examining the FSC's audit reports within the scope of the 7th principle stating the management plan of the FSC process. Various problems were encountered in this context. As a result of the assessments made within the scope of the FSC system's 7th principle, a number of deficiencies have been identified in the current legislation used in EBFFMP and in the management plan. In order to eliminate the identified deficiencies, suggestions and solutions have been developed and it was foreseen to add to existing legislation or to introduce new ones. Together with these regulations, it was concluded that EBFFMP to be made in forest areas with FSC Certificate will meet the criteria and indicators of Principle 7.