Income generating species and their contribution to local people in Mersin region

In parallel with the understanding of the importance of income-generating species in our country, as in the world, the area of use and density are increasing day by day. Compared to wood-based production, its advantages such as requiring less physical strength and activity, being more efficient in terms of financial benefits and being a climate-friendly activity contribute to the understanding of the importance of income-generating species. In this study, it is aimed to determine the income-generating species that are inventoried within the boundaries of Mersin Forestry Management Directorate and to reveal the socio-cultural and socio-economic effects of these species on the forest villager. The study was carried out in two different stages as office and survey study. Within the aim of the office study, the determination of the forest villagers in the study area and the determination of the income generating species were obtained from the OGM records and were used as a base for the survey study. A survey was conducted with 224 people randomly for 12 pieces inventoried income generating type in 24 of 28 pieces' forest village within the borders of Mersin Forestry Management Directorate. 67.4% of the villagers participating in the survey are men and 32.6% are women, in terms of age range, the highest participation is 39.3% in the age range of 46-65 and the least participation is between the ages of 11.2% and 18-25. In terms of age range and monthly average income, most 58.9% of them are in the range of 1000-2000 TL, while the least 1.8% is in the income range of 5000 and above. The species that contribute the most to the local people are; Thyme, Olive, Carob and Laurel. The village of Horozlu is the village that earns the most income from income generating species among the villages. Income generating species play an important role in Turkey's rural and national economy. Keywords: Non Wood Forest Product, Income-Generating Species, Inventory, Forest Villager, Mersin Region