The investigation of the effect of forest edges on natural seedlings

Oriental beech and Scots pine are economically and ecologically important deciduous and conifer tree species with wide distribution areas in Turkey. The sustainability of these forests is possible with the successful regeneration of these tree species. The transmitted light through canopy is vital for the regeneration of these tree species. Forest edges influence micro-climatic conditions and available light in forest stands. Therefore, determination of the effects of forest edges on the growth and survival of Oriental beech and Scots pine is essential for the successful regeneration of these stands. Studies regarding the impacts of forest edges on regeneration is limited in our country. In this master study, the influences of forest edges created naturally of artificially on the height, root-collar diameter growth and seedling quality of Oriental beech and Scots pine in an adjacent stand were observed. In addition, effects of stand basal area and height to forest canopy when moving from the edge to interior on the height, root-collar diameter growth and seedling quality were monitored. The study was conducted within Samatlar Forest Planning Directorate located in Araç region, Kastamonu city. In the selected Oriental beech- Scots pine stand, 24 lane with 50 m were installed, and all the measurements were taken within these lanes. There were statistically significant relationships between the distance from the forest edge and the height growth of Oriental beech and Scots pine seedlings ((p=0.0347 and p=0.0329, respectively). There was not any statistically significant relationships between the distance from the forest edge and root-collar diameter growth of Oriental beech seedlings (p=099), but, root-collar diameter growth of Scots pine seedlings were affected by the distance from the forest edges (p=0.0135). Stand basal area had significant influence on the height growth of Oriental beech seedlings (p=0.00787), however, there was no statistically significant relationship between the stand basal area and height growth of Scots pine seedlings (p=0.0691). The initial results obtained in this study point out the importance of forest edges on the regeneration of Oriental beech and Scots pine seedlings.