Research on parting and mapping of forest site units of Sandıras mountain mass

In this study, the criteria to be taken as a basis for the separation and mapping of the site units of the Sandıras mountainous mass were investigated. In the research area, location, soil and climate characteristics were determined in 144 sample areas transferred to the land according to the systematic sampling method. According to the characteristics determined in the field and laboratory; The forest site units (FSU) were determined by classifying the sample areas according to local location features such as landform, elevation, aspect, slope and soil characteristics such as physiological soil depth, soil stonyness, soil type and awaible water capacity (AWC) of the soils. In the separation of FSU, the classification method based on the water and air economies of the soils was applied and the associate of the classification was carried out with the indicator species suitable for the characteristics of the determined FSU and the leaf area index (LAI) values of the primary tree species distributed in these units. As a result of the study, 4 FSU groups as Very Dry, Dry, Freshly, Fresh and 18 ecological soil series on different bedrocks group were determined. However, as a result of the studies carried out for the control of FSU units, it has been shown that the indicator plants that can be detected reflect the characteristics of the FSU units and that the LAI significantly affects the water-air economies of the FSU units. This result showed that LAI can be a good criterion and indicator in the differentiation of FSU units in forest ecosystems.