Evaluation of Turkey's climate index values and the degree of biodegradation of wood

Summary Wood is an organic material, so it is susceptible to degradation by various biological agents. When temperatures range between 20-27°C and humidity levels are between 65-70%, the conditions become ideal for fungal growth. In our country, wood materials typically used in outdoor environments fall within these ranges, making them vulnerable to fungal damage. Therefore, understanding climate index values is crucial for assessing the degree of fungal damage risk to outdoor wood materials in our country and providing insights into the technical and practical measures needed to minimize the adverse effects of potential decay hazards. The study's objective is to classify the climate of provinces in our country and calculate climate index values using meteorological data from 2012-2023. In doing so, the study aims to link these values to the biological decay of wood. For this purpose, the Erinç climate classification and Scheffer Climate Index values were calculated based on temperature and precipitation parameters over the last 11 years. These values were then categorized according to decay risk levels. Additionally, optimized SARIMA models were utilized to forecast climate classifications and index values for the next five years. The results were interpreted by examining data on Total Global Solar Radiation (kWh/m²), the number of days with temperatures exceeding 30°C, and total sunshine duration. As a result, overall, the climate index between 2012-2023 and 2024-2028 has decreased compared to the climate index values of previous years. The highest precipitation efficiency index was observed in the Eastern Black Sea region, while the lowest was found in the Southeastern Anatolia and Central Anatolia regions. On a provincial basis, the highest precipitation efficiency index was recorded in Rize, while the lowest was detected in Iğdır. The values of the Scheffer Climate Index were found to have slightly increased in recent years and are expected to continue to do so in the coming years. The highest Scheffer Climate Index values were observed in the Eastern Black Sea region, specifically in Rize, Giresun, Ordu, and Trabzon. In contrast, the lowest index values were found in Bitlis and Van in the Eastern Anatolia region, Karaman in the Central Anatolia region, and Batman in the Southeastern Anatolia region. The findings on climate indices are related to decreasing precipitation and increasing temperatures. When the Total Global Solar Radiation (kWh/m²), the number of days with temperatures exceeding 30°C, and total sunshine duration are evaluated, it is evident that temperatures have increased across regions in the country over the past decade. These findings were consistent with the Erinç Climate Index and the Scheffer Climate Classification. In regions with a high risk of decay, it is essential to use impregnated wood for outdoor applications. As is the case globally, increasing global warming in our country is causing significant changes in the climate. As a result, wood used in outdoor environments is greatly affected by seasonal factors, which may alter its service life over time. Particularly in recent years, the decrease in precipitation and the corresponding increase in temperature and global solar radiation are likely to result in changes to the factors that cause damage to wood. Given the expected rise in fungal attacks and insect and termite attacks in the coming years, it is necessary to promote the use of impregnated or modified wood products for outdoor applications and raise public awareness about these issues.