Ecological and environmental relationships of forest birds within the scope of sustainable forestry

To ensure the sustainable use of our country's forests, identify threats, take preventive measures, and monitor processes, the National Criteria and Indicator Set for Sustainable Forest Management has been established. One of the elements in this framework is the indicator of "common forest bird species". In the field of ornithology, there are gaps regarding sustainable forest management in our country. This research aims to examine the relationships between forest bird species and structural, environmental, and ecological variables in the Thrace region and to identify regional indicators and common forest bird species. Within this scope, observations were conducted in 24 sample areas, determined based on stand types, in the forests of Vize and Tekirdağ Forest Management Directorates, and identified bird species were recorded using the line-transect method. The observations were conducted once per month in each sample area, covering a 15-month study period. In the study, data on bird species, abundance, breeding records, and the structural, environmental, and ecological variables of habitats were recorded. The obtained data were used to analyze the diversity indices of the areas, as well as the common and indicator forest bird species, and to examine the relationships between bird species and vegetation, structural, and ecological variables. In the monitoring studies conducted, a total of 13 orders, 35 families, and 87 bird species were identified when all areas were evaluated together. In the Vize forests within the study area, 2130 birds belonging to 44 species from 7 orders and 21 families directly associated with the areas were recorded, while in the Tekirdağ forests, 1920 birds belonging to 49 species from 7 orders and 22 families were identified. Across the entire study area, the number of breeding species identified was found to be 45, with 25 species classified as possible, 14 species as probable, and 6 species as confirmed breeding categories. By regularly monitoring indicator bird species over the long term, population trends can be revealed much more clearly. With the results currently obtained, it will also be possible to conduct an impact assessment on forest management through regional indicator bird species. The study is expected to contribute to sustainable forest management regarding forest birds and their ecological relationships. This study was supported by the Council of Higher Education (CoHE) 100/2000 PhD Scholarship Program.