Analysis of the current status of silvicultural restoration treatments in the burnt forest areas of Dursunbey in the year 1945

In the reforestation of burned forest areas, restoring lost species to the ecosystem is of critical importance for the structure and function of the ecosystem. Analyzing the current status of reforestation efforts carried out in burned areas in the past years provides valuable information in terms of improving reforestation efforts. In this context, the fire that broke out in Balıkesir Dursunbey (Civana, Çamlık and Candere forests) in August 1945 and destroyed 12 600 hectares of Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana), mixed forests consisting of Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis), Oak (Quercus sp.), Pinus brutia and maquis elements, has a special place in the restoration history of the burned forest areas. In this region, Prof. Dr. Besalet PAMAY prepared a doctorate thesis in which different restoration options were tested. Firstly, experiments were carried out in a small area of 23 hectares, and after these experiments, the applications to be carried out in the large burnt area were decided. In this study, the success and development status of the natural species Anatolian Black pine as well as Turkish fir, Taurus Cedar and Scots pine tree species were analyzed with the help of sample areas taken from these experimental areas. Additionally, the spatial distribution of the species was analyzed according to the Clark&Evans index. Measurements were carried out in a total of 8 sample plots in order to obtain stand profiles from the experimental areas located in 3 different compartments. A total of 240 trees were measured: 181 (32.5%) Fir, 149 (26.7%) Black pine, 126 (22.5%) Scots pine and 70 (12.5%) Cedar trees. The average diameter of Black pine in the 101st, 57 and 99th compartments were 39.87±6.66 cm, 28.8±6.02 cm and 32.31±5.02 cm, and the average height was 25.60±0.92 m, 21.55±3.48 m and 21.63±0.87 m, respectively. The average diameter of Scots pine was found to be 30.69±4.42 cm and 30.48±3.76 cm, and the average height was 23.99±0.95 m and 19.92±1.48 m in the 101st and 99th compartments, respectively. The average diameter of Fir trees was found to be 20.28±6.66 cm and 15.83±8.95 cm, the average height 17.02±4.78 m and 14.04±6.86 m, in the 101st and 99th compartments, respectively. The average diameter of the Cedar was found to be 31.0±7.28 cm and the average height was 21.6±3.27 in the 57th compartment. Although there was no significant difference between Black pine and Scots pine in terms of diameter values in compartments 101 and 99, a significant difference was found with Fir. A significant difference was found among three species in terms of height values. There was no significant difference in diameter and height values between Black pine and Cedar in the 57th compartment. As a result, it was determined that the diameter and height development of Cedar and Scots pine was not different from the natural Black pine. However, it has been determined that the diameter and height development of Fir tree is less than other species.