An investigation on opinions of deforestation: An example of Isparta province

The aim of the thesis examines the factors causing deforestation in Turkey and to measure the public's knowledge and interest in environmental problems (desertification, erosion etc.). In this context, the perspectives of a group of 220 students, including forest engineers, civil servants, workers and other occupational groups in the Forestry Department of Forestry Faculty, Forest Engineers of Isparta University, Forestry Faculty of Isparta University, were put forward. Questionnaire technique was used as data collection method. A 5-point Likert scale was used in the questionnaire. SPSS 22.0 statistical package program was used for the evaluation of the obtained data and 0,05 significance level was taken into consideration in statistical analysis. The data were analyzed by Spearman's rho correlation analysis from nonparametric tests due to the lack of normal distribution of the data. As the most important findings in the study, the most important environmental problems are climate change and drought. Participants benefit from forest resources mostly from the use of industrial wood and the use of firewood. Participants do not want the forest resources to be destroyed or destroyed. It attaches importance to the future generations of forests. According to the participants, money can be spent to increase the fight against erosion of forests. 62.7% of the participants stated that they could pay ecosystem services by considering the many benefits and services provided by the forests. Participants would like to make the ecosystem payments to OGM and TEMA. Participants stated that they wanted to be protected from environmental problems and natural disasters. According to the participants, deforestation, improper land use and overgrazing in pastures cause erosion. According to the participants, the results of this research will provide a new perspective in the determination of forestry policies. Keywords: Deforestation, Desertification, Erosion, Drought, Climate change, Isparta, Turkey.