Professor from Faculty of Forestry explains how burning forests should be reforested

Professor TOLUNAY from Cerrahpasa Forestry Faculty of Istanbul University has said “In order to reforest areas burned after the forest fire, climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem services should be considered as a priority for rejuvenation by natural means.

The Professor went on to say; “Statements as to these areas will not be opened for construction is not respected by the public when we see hotels built in burned forest areas earlier. According to the article 169 of our constitution, it is imperative that the burning areas be turned into forests again.”

The Professor shared evaluations on how to follow the path of reforestation of burning areas after numerous wildfires that occurred throughout the country.

”THE FORESTS OF TURKISH PINE WERE BURNED”

Tolunay made following explanations:

* Total forest area of our country 22.9 million hectares. Of this, 5.9 million ha is made up of oak and 5.6 million ha is made up of Turkish Pine (KIZILÇAM) forests. Turkish Pine is second in our country in terms of wide widest spreading completely natural.

* KIZILÇAM is spread mainly in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions where the Mediterranean climate prevails due to its ecological requirements. It is also found in the Marmara and Western Black Sea regions. Wildfires also occur mainly in hot and dry areas in summers.

*These regions are also areas where KIZILÇAM forests are located. At the same time, maki vegetation is also spreading in the Aegean and Mediterranean region. Both the KIZILÇAM forests and the plant species that make up the maki vegetation can easily burn in fires.

(What is MAKI vegetation: Although it is usually seen on the Mediterranean coast, the Maki vegetation is observed on other sea shores as well. It is communities of stunted trees. These vegetation appear due to destroyed forests.)

“A SPECIES THAT ADAPTS TO FIRE”

* But KIZILÇAM and maki vegetation are species adapt to fire. In other words, KIZILÇAM forests and maki vegetation easily come to areas that are re-burned after fires. The reason for this is that KIZILÇAM cones and seeds are not damaged in the fire.

* After the fire, the seeds in the cones fall into the ash. These seeds germinate in the spring following the fire and dozens of seedlings come to the burning area.

“INSTEAD OF AFFORESTATION, REJUVENATION IS NEEDED BY NATURAL MEANS”

* In our country, it is very difficult for species other than KIZILÇAM, maki vegetation to adapt to these conditions. For this reason, considering climate change, burning forests and even other forests should be rejuvenated by natural means instead of afforestation as much as possible.

*This application is important for adapting tree species to climate change. Because preserving genetic diversity is the most important tool in adapting forests to climate change.

* Ensuring the spontaneous return of plants by protecting burning forests is important for the future of other herbaceous and shrub species other than trees, especially endemic and threatened species.

SOURCE: This is an excerpt from article on sozcu.com.tr/2021/gundem/yanan-ormanlar-nasil-yeniden-agaclanacak-prof-dr-tolunay-tek-tek-acikladi-6567725/?utm_source=haber_detay&utm_medium=free&utm_campaign=dortluhaber