Investigation of effects of socio-economic change in upland activities on high mountain forests (A sample of Macka)

In this study, 157 uplands were selected in high mountain areas of Maçka district in order to investigate the socio-economic changes? effects in uplands on high mountain forest (HMF). The uplands were grouped with multi-criteria decision making method by using 56 variables and finally 25 variables were determined which were effective in gruping. Surveys were conducted in 48 uplands in the study area. Obtained results were analysed by the statistical programme SPSS 11.5. Percent analysis, Likert attitude scale, Chi-square independence test and correlation analysis were used in evaluating the results. ArcGIS 9.2 used for determining dynamic area changes and FRAGSTATSTM used for structural changes. According to the obtained results, it was seen that the HMF between 1973-2008 term was 14880.5 ha and increased by 1,4% (201,1 ha). Moreover, approximately 40% of degraded forests in HMF transformed to productive forest areas in Maçka. Behind 1500 m, where 64,5% of uplands situated, degraded forests increased above the altidue of 1900 m and productive forests decreased in 1901-2100 m where the uplands are most intense in the area. Forests which are in area of 1 km radius from uplands centre were used intensively by transhumants. It has been concluded that the most important reasons of the increasing HMF areas are the decrease in the population, the diminishing in the length of staying in the uplands (the percentage of people staying more than 3 months was 67% in 1973 and 43% in 2008), increasing in the education level of the people, 37% decreasing of stock raising, 52% decreasing of wood using, 30% increasing of reinforced concrete buildings and the changes of the transhumant aims.