Determination of plant diversity indices for scotch pine stands in Bolu Aladağ region

The main purpose of this study carried out in the Aladağ region of Bolu is to determine the plant diversity of the Scotch pine forests in the region on a stand basis, investigation of temporal changes and also to investigate the effect of different aspects on vegetative diversity and to produce numerical data that can be used in Ecosystem Based Functional Planning. The study area was selected from the Aladağ Forest Chiefdom, which is affiliated to the Aladağ Forest Management Enterprise in Köroğlu mountain range extending in the east-west direction and south of Bolu city. The study area is located in the Euxine part of the Euro- Siberian plant geographic region. Sample plots were taken from the stands of the pure Scotch pine forests in Aladağ region of Bolu in different developmental stages (a, b, c, d). Observations were made in the study area between June and September 2016. The sample stands were selected to cover two main aspects, north and south. The stands were sampled with two replicates and 10 quadrants in each stand. Within the scope of the study, a total of 640 quadrate samples were taken and different plants were identified and number of individuals of each taxa was determined. A total of 160 taxa were identified in the study area, including 2 unidentified, 1 family, 67 genera and 82 species, 8 subspecies and variety. As a result of these findings, using plant diversity indexes, it was tried to show how plant diversity related to stand types changed at alpha and gamma levels. In addition, stand structure was determined as medium diameter, basal area and volume at unit area and if there is a relationship between plant diversity index values and these parameters was investigated. In forests, only stand types change under normal conditions. Therefore, understanding plant diversity in terms of stand types will help to predict future plant diversity due to the change of stand types over time. In the present study, vegetative diversity values of stands were determined for the Scotch pine tree species. Diversity can be calculated for different forest units like working groups or the entire forest. In this way, plant diversity was determined numerically and steps were taken to manage and integrate forest planning.