The stand structure of the Anatolian chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) forests and samples of natural regeneration in Inebolu Forestry Enterprise

The chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill is a species which is to Anatolia. It is an immense spreading area inside the forest areas along the Black Sea coast of Kastamonu city. The fact that both the wood and fruit of the tree are valuable increases the significance of the chestnut by one fold. The most serious unfavorable problem that influences the chestnut forests in the last couple of years is Cryphonectria prasitica and Phytophthora cambivora. Damage by these fungi that destroy the wood endangers the future of these castanea sativa forests. Therefore, identification of the stand structure and the natural regeneration characteristics of these forests not only be instrumental in getting protected against such pests but also it is directly related to the biological diversity and bears a significance in terms of preserving the nature. Constant provision of the products and services sourced from the forests is achieved depending on the realization of the sivilcultural processes. Hence, having the data concerning the stand available beforehand will be instrumental in analyzing, modeling and monitoring the improvement of the stand as well as enabling the forests to be managed in an efficient way. The maintenance of the forests can be possible only by means of regeneration. The management manner which aims at gaining benefits unilaterally without due regard to the regeneration bears the outcome of extinction of the forests. That is why the factors that are essential for the species and the forests to natural regenerate should be highlighted. It is a must to place too much emphasis on the natural regeneration characteristics of the castanea sativa forests which have sustained damage due to the biotic factors in the recent years.In this research within the frame of the Project, stand structure and regeneration cases of the castanea sativa forests at the Inebolu Forest District on the Black Sea border of the Kastamonu province will be attempted to be studied. The vitality of the natural regeneration cases will be discussed in detail in this study. The stand structures will be evaluated using the data obtained this way and it will be determined which way the factors affecting these structures influence them, the management technique that will render both the natural regeneration and stand vitality and stability will be identified with the aid of the data gathered this way and it will be endeavored to establish the basis of sivilculture.