Determination of surface biomass and carbon storage losses due to fire in Kavaklıdere (Muğla) district forest areas using remote sensing methods

Forest ecosystems are the most important natural carbon sink areas that play a role in reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, which is considered to be the main responsible for global warming. The fire factor causes ecologically based disasters on the continuity of biodiversity and landscape quality and is therefore one of the main factors that seriously reduce the carbon sink potential of forests. This thesis study was carried out to analyze the changes in aboveground biomass and carbon storage capacity caused by fires in forest areas in Kavaklıdere (Muğla) district. Remote sensing methods were used to determine the damage of fire on the ecosystem and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), NDWI (Normalized Water Index), BAI (Burned Area Index), NBR (Normalized Burn Ratio), dNBR (Differential Normalized Burn Ratio), TSA (Surface Temperature Analysis) and CSA (Carbon Storage Analysis) Spectral index analyzes were conducted for an 11-year period (2013-2023). The analyzes were evaluated both district-wide and production area-specific. Studies have generally shown that especially after the explosion, when the forest area experienced 87% areal losses in the district and 99% when it became widespread, water stress increased by 14% and 51%, drought by 100% and 151%, respectively, while it decreased by 100% at high frequency and a decrease in carbon storage capacity by 42% and 87%, respectively. The study contributes to efforts regarding the discovery of losses caused by the explosion, the applicability of remote sensing techniques in combating the problem, and contribution to ecosystem management.