The investigation of biomass storage capacities of maquis areas in Tarsus State Forest Enterprise Directorate

This study has been carried our to determine biomass amounts of maquis in Tarsus Forest Forest Directorate, Çamalan Planning Unit. In this study, maquis plots with canopy closure more than 70% were sampled in different exposures, elevations and vegetation heights. In totally 35 sample plots, maquis vegetation of 100 m2 was cleared at soil level. For each sample plot, area of 4 m2 was excavated up to root depth to determine below-ground biomass. Above-ground biomass was grouped according to vegetation components and weighed. Belowe-ground biomass represents coarse roots (>2 mm) and divided into two parts (>4 cm-<4 cm) and weighed. To determine average age of plot, 3 to 4 stem samples were taken from soil level. To estimate foliar biomass, sample branches were taken and leaf and wood amounts were identified. Using samples from each component, bark ratios and wet-dry ratios were estimated. Sample plots are between 488-1.155 m elevations and canopy closures vary between 75-90 %. Oven dry above-ground biomass of sample plots varies between 74,99 kg/100 m2-471,93 kg/100 m2 and oven dry below-ground biomass varies between 173,45 kg/100 m2-945,67 kg/100 m2. As a result of this study, it was understood that the root/shoot ratio was roundly 1,7. Large variations of above- and belowe ground biomass amounts of sample plots are caused from canopy closures, actual state of vegetation structures and heights of vegetations. In addition, rural usage culture is also effective like fuelwood or grazing.