Ecosystem services in recreational forests of Turkey: analysis of national forest policies and scientific studies

Abstract

This study assesses to what extent ecosystem services are considered when managing three different types of recreational forests in Turkey. Although the number of scientific studies on ecosystem services provided by forests has increased in recent years, the number of cases defining ecosystem services and elaborating them in the forestry legislation or plans in Turkey is limited. This concept is underused in Turkey due to a lack of attention paid to the global agenda and scientific studies at international and national levels. It was found that protection forests in Turkey included services from all ecosystem services except habitat or supporting services. Nature parks also have services from three categories but none from provisioning services. Finally, urban forests include services from only two categories: regulating and cultural services. Ecosystem services must be considered both in city and forest planning. Even though the management of forests is under the sole responsibility of the General Directorate of Forestry, the municipalities should consider it as one of the main stakeholders in city planning. Finally, scientific studies on forest ecosystem services for healthy cities and citizens should be increased, and results should be implemented.