Human-Induced Forest Fragmentation in Trabzon, Eastern Black Sea Region, Türkiye: A Case Study

Abstract

Due to the geographical structure of the Eastern Black Sea Region, agricultural activities are carried out in high-sloped areas that should ideally be used solely for forestry purposes. The region is characterized by an intricate intertwining of forested areas, agricultural fields, pasture lands, and residential areas, giving rise to a distinct and unique way of life. Within this framework, forest resources have been constantly under pressure and fragmented. This study, therefore, aims to determine the fragmentation status of forests, particularly due to various anthropogenic activities, such as agricultural activities, using the example of Trabzon Province in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Türkiye. Utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a comprehensive “forest fragmentation map” was meticulously crafted, drawing upon the land-use plans and cadastral maps specific to the study area. Spatial land metrics were calculated using patch analysis. In the study area, there is a total of 31,153.2 hectares of registered state forests. These forests consist of 423 separate and independent fragments. The average forest fragment size in the area is 73.6 hectares. The smallest fragment measures 0.01 hectares (100 square meters), while the largest one covers an area of 18,002 hectares. The area-weighted average figure index of the forest fragments is 9.4. This study quantified fragmented forests, providing evidence of forest fragmentation due to various anthropogenic activities, primarily agricultural activities. This study also proposed an integrated planning approach for the management of fragmented forests.