Sivas- Koyulhisar Orman (Fagus Orientalis Lipsky.) Toprakları ile Tarım Topraklarının Karbon Mineralizasyonu Yönünden Karşılaştırılması

In this study, the dynamism of forest areas was tried to be determined by determining the ecological differences between the areas where Fagus orientalis Lipsky. (Eastern beech, Fagaceae), a very important species for forestry in Turkey, and the soils of agricultural fields. lime %, total salt %, pH, texture, field capacity %, C%, N%, C/N ratios, 30-day carbon mineralization of the lands of Eastern beech forests and agricultural fields, which are naturally formed in Sivas province Koyulhisar district, under controlled conditions (28°C, 80 humidity %) was determined by the respiration method, and two areas in two different ecosystems were compared. When the carbon mineralizations of eastern beech soils were examined seasonally, it was determined as 19.54>18.23>17.87>17.18 mg C(CO2)/100g DS/30 day in spring>autumn>summer>winter seasons, while it was determined as 14.46>13.87>13.68>13.65 mg C(CO2)/100g DS/30 day in autumn>summer>spring>winter seasons in agricultural soils, respectively. Significant relationships were found between the C%, N%, 30-day carbon mineralization cumulative values and % carbon mineralization rates between both areas.

ECO-DESIGN: IMPACTS OF BLEACHING CHEMICALS AND VARNISHES ON THE AMOUNT OF CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE COMBUSTION OF ORIENTAL BEECH (FAGUS ORIENTALIS LIPSKY)

This study was carried out to determine the effects of bleaching chemicals and varnishes on the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the combustion of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky). For this purpose, samples of Oriental beech prepared according to ASTM D 358 contain 18% R1 = (NaOH + H2O2), R2 = (NaOH + Ca(OH)2 + H2O2), R3 = (Na2S2O5 + H2C2O4), R4 = (NaSiO3 + H2O2), R5 = (KMnO4 + Na2S2O5 + H2O2) solution groups, after bleaching with solution groups, water based, synthetic, polyurethane and acrylic varnish were applied according to ASTM D 3023 and combustion tests were carried out in accordance with ASTM E 160-50. Gas measurements were made with the SIGMA 74172 NSU flue gas device during the combustion process. As a result, in respect to the burning types; the highest amount of CO2 (ppm) was found in the self-combustion (8.468 ppm) while the lowest was obtained from the flame combustion source (4.599 ppm). In respect to the types of bleaching; the highest in R5 (7.458 ppm) and the lowest in R3 (4.059 ppm) were found. According to the varnish types; the highest value was found in the synthetic varnish (8.261), and the lowest value was found in the acrylic varnish (4.772 ppm). According to combustion type + bleaching solution + varnish type interaction, the highest values were found for without flame combustion (II) + R3 + Sn (18.40 ppm) and lowest for flame source combustion (I) + R5 + Pu (0.600 ppm). Consequently, the highest values for combustion gases were found in samples of oriental beech wood samples treated with water-based varnish with R1 solution. According to this, in terms of human health and life safety, possibility of fire in places, R3 solution and acrylic varnish may be used in the related industries.

Comparison of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Beech and Walnut Wood from Iran and Georgian Beech

Beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forests in Iran are one of the most important sources of the hardwood species used for lumber, furniture, and interior object design due to its hardness, wear resistance, strength, and excellent bending capabilities. Furthermore, Iran is third most important country for walnut wood production after China and United States. Therefore, in this study, we compared specific mechanical properties between beech wood obtained from Sangdeh (Iran) and Georgia and four different kinds of walnut woods in Iran. Physical and mechanical tests were performed according to ISO 3129 (2012) and ASTM (D143-14) standards. The moisture content of all samples was 12% during mechanical tests. The mean dry density of Sangdeh and Georgian beech obtained was 0.61 and 0.65 g/cm3, respectively, while the mean dry density of Noor, Shahrekord, Mashhad, and Mako walnut woods measured 0.62, 0.59, 0.62, and 0.57 g/cm3, respectively. The results showed significant differences among the properties of the Sangdeh and Georgian species and the four different walnut tree woods. Overall, the obtained strengths of Georgian timber were higher than that of the Iranian beech, which was attributed to the higher density of Georgian timber. Furthermore, due to the higher density of the walnut species in the Noor and Mashhad regions, the measured mechanical strengths of these trees were higher than those of other walnut species. The obtained results provide relevant information to determinate the future applications of each wood source.

LEAF LITTER DYNAMICS IN WESTERN BLACK SEA MOUNTAINOUS FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

This study aimed to estimate leaf litter decomposition rates in eastern beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) mixed stands in Düzce-Akçakoca, located in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey. The sampling areas represent four different elevations and two aspects at each elevation. Amounts of annual beech and chestnut litter fall were estimated as 5.19 Mg ha-1 and 4.61 Mg ha-1, respectively. Litter decomposition was examined over five time periods (0.25, 0.50, 1.25, 2.25, and 4.25 years) by using the litter bag method. The amount of remaining beech leaf litter mass was found to be 1.1, 1.2, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.3 times greater than the amount of chestnut leaf litter, respectively. However, estimated values for the decomposition rate-constant (k) of chestnut for all time periods were found to be approximately 1.5 times greater than those of beech leaf litter. Litter in beech stands decomposed more rapidly at higher elevations during the first year, but at lower elevations in the second year, likely due to increased temperature and precipitation for the corresponding years. Leaf litter in chestnut stands decomposed more rapidly at lower elevations in the second and fourth year, reflecting higher precipitation of those years.

Soil Natural Recovery Process and Fagus orientalis Lipsky Seedling Growth after Timber Extraction by Wheeled Skidder

The growth and quality of natural seedlings are important goals of forest management in uneven-aged high stands. In this study, the recovery process of the physical and chemical properties of soil, as well as growth variables of beech seedlings on the skid trails after skidding operations in three time periods (10, 20, and 30 years) were investigated in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. Results revealed that the soil chemical properties (organic C, total N, and pH) were fully recovered after 20 years, while soil physical properties (bulk density, porosity, and penetration resistance) were not yet fully recovered even after 30 years. The values of growth characteristics (stem and root system) and the quality index of beech seedlings were not statistically different from those of the control area ones after 20 years. According to our findings, the process of recovering soil characteristics after forest operations is long and takes more than 30 years. Considering the effect that soil compaction can have on seedling establishment and growth, proper planning of the forest operation is needed to limit the negative effects of forest operations, which meets the requirements of sustainable forest management. We suggest designing skid trails with a minimum distance of 140 m from each other and with a longitudinal slope of less than 15%, in compliance with the principles of best management practice (BMP).