Forests in Turkey

In 2023, forests covered about 30% of the country,{{Cite report |url=https://www.ogm.gov.tr/tr/e-kutuphane-sitesi/FaaliyetRaporu/General%20Directorate%20Of%20Forestry%20Annual%20Activity%20Report%202023.pdf |title=2023 Activity Report |publisher=Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry |archive-date=2024-08-06 |access-date=2024-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806070655/https://www.ogm.gov.tr/tr/e-kutuphane-sitesi/FaaliyetRaporu/General%20Directorate%20Of%20Forestry%20Annual%20Activity%20Report%202023.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Rp|page=9}} almost the global average. Legally in Turkey, a piece of woodland of less than three hectares (ha) cannot be labelled "forest".{{Cite journal |last=Lund |first=H. Gyde |title=What is a Forest? Definitions do make a difference. An example from Turkey |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/59831 |journal=Avrasya Terim Dergisi |archive-date=2024-08-13 |access-date=2024-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813062914/https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/59831 |url-status=live }}{{Rp|page=3}} However, the national greenhouse gas inventory uses the Food and Agriculture Organization definition: forests must cover 1 ha or more and be at least 5m high. There are forest{{En dash}}subcategories of coniferous, deciduous, mixed, and 'other forested land' which has a crown closure between 1 and 10 percent.{{Rp|page=299, 301}} Forests with a crown closure of over 10% are classed as productive.{{Rp|page=292}} Trees grown for crops in plantations (such as Turkey's hazelnuts) are not classified as forests.{{Rp|page=301}} A 2024 study states that deforestation caused by other uses of forest land, such as mining, is not reflected in official statistics,{{refn|group=note|1=Forested land may be leased for up to 49 years for permitted uses, but in theory would return to forest, and so is still officially forest land.}} and that these uses cause forest degradation by fragmentation.{{Cite journal |last1=Atmiş |first1=Erdoğan |last2=Yıldız |first2=Damla |last3=Erdönmez |first3=Cihan |date=2024-04-01 |title=A different dimension in deforestation and forest degradation: Non-forestry uses of forests in Turkey |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837724000383 |journal=Land Use Policy |volume=139 |pages=107086 |doi=10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107086 |bibcode=2024LUPol.13907086A |issn=0264-8377|url-access=subscription }} {{As of|2024}}, over 40% of the forests in Turkey were heavily degraded,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-03-07 |title=Overview of the forestry sector in Türkiye |url=https://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/03/07/overview-of-the-forestry-sector-in-turkiye |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-09-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911071003/https://www.agroberichtenbuitenland.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/03/07/overview-of-the-forestry-sector-in-turkiye |url-status=live }} that is with less than 10% canopy cover.{{Rp|page=64}} In 2024 preparations for a new inventory continued,{{Cite web |date=27 May 2024 |title=Ulusal Orman Envanteri̇ Uzmanliği Eği̇ti̇mi̇ ve Sinavi |trans-title=National Forest Inventory Specialist Training and Exam |url=https://www.ormuh.org.tr/duyurular/ulusal-orman-envanteri-uzmanligi-egitimi-ve-sinavi-393 |access-date= |website=:tr:Orman Mühendisleri Odası |language=tr |archive-date=18 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918071353/https://www.ormuh.org.tr/duyurular/ulusal-orman-envanteri-uzmanligi-egitimi-ve-sinavi-393 |url-status=live }} and the Turkish National Forestry Program (2024–2043) is being prepared. Since a change to the Forestry Law in 2018, the president has been able to reclassify land as not being forest.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-04-09 |title=Plots, farmlands, and forests: The real existential threat to Turkey |url=https://www.duvarenglish.com/plots-farmlands-and-forests-the-real-existential-threat-to-turkey-article-64892 |access-date=2024-09-25 |website=Gazete Duvar |language= |archive-date=2024-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240925164737/https://www.duvarenglish.com/plots-farmlands-and-forests-the-real-existential-threat-to-turkey-article-64892 |url-status=live }}

File:Bursa Forestry Museum walk in the woods 7515.jpg Forestry Museum showing Atatürk in woods]]

File:Hêzingvanên Ehmedîyî.jpg

As Turkeyʼs glaciers almost all melted over ten thousand years ago, more oak (both deciduous, such as Turkey oak, and evergreen oak{{Cite journal |last1=Marston |first1=John M. |last2=Çakırlar |first2=Canan |last3=Luke |first3=Christina |last4=Kováčik |first4=Peter |last5=Slim |first5=Francesca G. |last6=Shin |first6=Nami |last7=Roosevelt |first7=Christopher H. |date=2022-11-02 |title=Agropastoral Economies and Land Use in Bronze Age Western Anatolia |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14614103.2021.1918485 |journal=Environmental Archaeology |language=en |volume=27 |issue=6 |pages=539–553 |bibcode=2022EnvAr..27..539M |doi=10.1080/14614103.2021.1918485 |issn=1461-4103 |archive-date=2024-10-05 |access-date=2024-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005094351/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14614103.2021.1918485 |url-status=live }}) grew in Central Anatolia.{{Cite book |last1=Kırca |first1=Simay |url=https://www.tuba.gov.tr/tr/yayinlar/suresiz-yayinlar/raporlar/ancient-woodlands-and-trees-a-guide-for-landscape-planners-and-forest-managers-1/the-ancient-woodland-concept-as-a-practical-conservation-tool-the-turkish-experience |title=Ancient Woodlands and Trees: A Guide For Landscape Planners And Forest Managers |last2=Çolak |first2=Alper H. |last3=Rotherham |first3=Ian D. |publisher=Turkish Academy of Sciences |year=2018 |chapter=The ancient woodland concept as a practical conservation tool: the Turkish experience |doi=10.53478/TUBA.2018.014 |doi-broken-date=1 November 2024 |archive-date=21 May 2023 |access-date=21 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521115052/https://www.tuba.gov.tr/tr/yayinlar/suresiz-yayinlar/raporlar/ancient-woodlands-and-trees-a-guide-for-landscape-planners-and-forest-managers-1/the-ancient-woodland-concept-as-a-practical-conservation-tool-the-turkish-experience |url-status=live }} Ten thousand years ago, Anatolia was mostly forested,{{Cite journal |last1=Gümüşçü |first1=Osman |last2=Uğur |first2=Abdullah |last3=Aygören |first3=Tülay |date=2014 |title=Deforestation in Sixteenth Century Anatolia: The Case of Hüdavendi̇gar (Bursa) Sancak |url=https://belleten.gov.tr/tam-metin/193/eng |journal=Belleten |volume=78 |issue=281 |pages=167–200 |doi=10.37879/belleten.2014.167 |issn=0041-4255 |s2cid=245293300 |archive-date=2024-04-15 |access-date=2024-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415153021/https://belleten.gov.tr/tam-metin/193/eng |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |doi-access=free }} but forest cover before the formation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 is not well documented.{{Cite web |title=Turkey Forests |url=https://web.ogm.gov.tr/lang/en/Pages/Forests/TurkeyForests.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603052134/https://web.ogm.gov.tr/lang/en/Pages/Forests/TurkeyForests.aspx |archive-date=2021-06-03 |access-date=2021-05-30 |website=:tr:Orman Genel Müdürlüğü}} That period and prehistory can, however, be studied from tree rings, palynology (ancient particles such as pollen) and charcoal.{{Rp|page=214}}

Deforestation had increased sharply by 4000 BC, when wood was used for fuel and construction, for example in the settlement of Çatalhöyük.{{Rp|page=214}} In the Bronze Age, at around 3500 BC, humans began to significantly impact forests, for example by transporting wood from remote areas.{{Rp|page=215}} In the last two thousand years, especially in the last five hundred, much old growth forest has been cut down. Wooden ships were built, sometimes armies at war burnt forests to expose their enemies, and forests were cleared for agriculture.{{Rp|page=214}} As well as oak, there were juniper and Black pine (Pinus nigra) in these forests.{{Rp|page=215}} Turkish sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) was formerly widespread, but is now restricted to Southwest Anatolia.{{Cite web |title= Anatolian Sweet Gum Tree (Liquidambar Orientalis Miller) |url= https://webdosya.csb.gov.tr/db/destek/icerikler/s-gla_k-tab-_ing-l-zce-20191128075857.pdf |access-date= 2024-08-07 |archive-date= 2024-08-07 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240807132750/https://webdosya.csb.gov.tr/db/destek/icerikler/s-gla_k-tab-_ing-l-zce-20191128075857.pdf |url-status= live }} Sources such as Theophrastus show that Ancient Mediterranean civilisations used wood as a fuel in houses, bakeries, bathhouses, and for metalwork. Cedar was used for temples, such as at Ephesus and Artemis. Chestnut and fir were used for charcoal.{{Rp|page=217}} The Ottoman navy built ships from timber from the coasts of the Black, Marmara and Aegean Seas.{{Rp|page=214}} Typically, armies used more wood than navies.{{Rp|page=218}}

As part of late Ottoman Empire reforms, a Forest Charter was issued in 1840 and the Forestry Directorate established, but according to one study it was too top-down and lacked public engagement.{{Cite journal |title=Tanzimat'ın başarısız girişimi: ilk Orman Müdürlüğünün kuruluşu ve kapatılma süreci |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/2009223 |journal=Ağaç ve Orman |issn=2757-5349 |archive-date=2024-09-18 |access-date=2024-09-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918065711/https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/2009223 |url-status=live }} After the formation of the republic in the 1920s, forestry and wood production were increased.{{Cite journal |last=Yurtoğlu |first=Nadi̇r |date=2023 |title=Atatürk dönemi̇nde Türki̇ye'de Orman ve Ormancilik Poli̇ti̇kasi (1920–1938) |trans-title=Forests and Forestry Policies in Türkiye in the era of Atatürk (1920-1938) |url=https://atamdergi.gov.tr/ozet/1093/eng |url-status=live |journal=Atatürk Araştırma Merkezi Dergisi |language=tr |volume=39 |issue=107 |pages=125–175 |doi=10.33419/aamd.1300709 |issn=1011-727X |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817093532/https://atamdergi.gov.tr/ozet/1093/eng |archive-date=2024-08-17 |access-date=2024-08-17 |doi-access=free}} Forests were nationalised in 1938,{{Cite web |last=Tavşanoğlu |first=Faik |title=A survey of Turkish forestry |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/8906 |journal= |access-date=2024-09-11 |archive-date=2020-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325045415/https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/8906 |url-status=live }} and the first large afforestation project in Turkey was done in 1939.

File:Marmaris forest fire.jpg forest fire in 2021]]

File:Greenhouse gas emission and absorption by Turkey.svg than forests can take out.]]

Although forests cover 23 million (almost 30%){{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Official Statistics |url=https://www.ogm.gov.tr/en/e-library/official-statistics |website=www.ogm.gov.tr |pages=1.1 Forest area, growing stock and increment_2023, 2023 |access-date=2024-10-08 |archive-date=2024-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008122233/https://www.ogm.gov.tr/en/e-library/official-statistics |url-status=live }} of Turkey's 78 million ha, 3 million ha have less than 10% crown cover,{{Rp|301}} and almost 10 million ha were degraded forest as of 2020.{{Cite report|title=Eighth National Communication and Fifth Biennial Report of Türkiye under the UNFCCC|url=https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/TUR_8NCResubmission.pdf|archive-date=2024-08-18|access-date=2024-08-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240818222514/https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/TUR_8NCResubmission.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Rp|page=63}} Almost all forests are state owned and managed by the {{ill|General Directorate of Forestry|tr| Orman Genel Müdürlüğü}} (GDF){{Cite journal|journal=Reforesta|last=Bilir|first=Nebi|date=June 2017|title=General over-view of forest establishment in Turkey|issue=3|pages=48–52|url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234633124.pdf|doi=10.21750/REFOR.3.06.30|archive-date=2023-04-26|access-date=2021-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426013002/https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234633124.pdf|url-status=live}} of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry;{{Cite report|url=https://www.ogm.gov.tr/tr/e-kutuphane-sitesi/StratejikPlan/Orman%20Genel%20M%C3%BCd%C3%BCrl%C3%BC%C4%9F%C3%BC%20Stratejik%20Plan%20(2024–2028).pdf|title=Orman Genel Müdürlüğü 2024-2028 Stratejik Planı|date=December 2023|trans-title=General Directorate of Forestry 2024-2028 Strategic Plan|website=Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry}} the GDF plan to increase the amount of forests so as to remove more carbon from the atmosphere, and thus reabsorb more of Turkey's greenhouse gas emissions.{{Rp|page=27}} The GDF has 28 Regional Directorates of Forestry and 12 Forestry Research Institutes. The Turkish constitution prohibits existing forests being transferred from state ownership, but state land is sometimes leased for private reforestation.{{Cite journal|date=2020-07-01|title=Legal framework of private afforestation: The case of Turkey|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264837719320794|journal=Land Use Policy|language=en|volume=96|pages=104673|doi=10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104673|issn=0264-8377|last1=Gençay|first1=Gökçe|bibcode=2020LUPol..9604673G |s2cid=218962170 |url-access=subscription}} Reforestation by the private sector varies around five thousand ha a year.{{Rp|page=table 24}} A 2020 study suggested that incentives for private afforestation should be increased. There is a strategic plan for adaptation to climate change,{{Cite web |title=Strategic plan for climate change adaptation of forestry in Turkey: 9 adaptation strategies proposed |url=https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/news-archive/strategic-plan-for-climate-change-adaptation-of-forestry-in-turkey-9-adaptation-strategies-proposed |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809061317/https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/news-archive/strategic-plan-for-climate-change-adaptation-of-forestry-in-turkey-9-adaptation-strategies-proposed |url-status=live }} and Turkey is taking part in the Bonn Challenge.{{Cite book |last= |first= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7832EAAAQBAJ&dq=%22turhan%22+t%C3%BCrkiye+%22bonn+challenge%22&pg=PR3 |title=Seventh Mediterranean Forest Week - Proceedings: Antalya, Türkiye, 21–25 March 2022 |date=2023-07-27 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |isbn=978-92-5-137977-6 |language=en}} The Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) recommends that afforestation should be better planned, carbon offsets and credits should be available, and carbon storage should be included in the Forest Law.{{Rp|page=18}}

Snow, and to a lesser extent rain, has decreased in Turkey.{{Rp|page=18}} TÜSİAD predicts a 90% reduction in habitats suitable for Black pine.{{Cite report|trans-title=Forest Ecosystems and Sink Area Management in Combating the Climate Crisis in Turkey|title=Türkiye'de İklim Krizi ile Mücadelede Orman Ekosistemleri ve Yutak Alan Yönetimi|url=https://tusiad.org/tr/basin-bultenleri/item/11296-tusi-ad-in-turkiye-de-i-klim-krizi-ile-mucadelede-orman-ekosistemleri-ve-yutak-alan-yonetimi-raporu-kamuoyu-ile-paylasildi|date=22 May 2023|publisher=Turkish Industry and Business Association|language=tr-tr|archive-date=4 December 2023|access-date=26 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204111054/https://tusiad.org/tr/basin-bultenleri/item/11296-tusi-ad-in-turkiye-de-i-klim-krizi-ile-mucadelede-orman-ekosistemleri-ve-yutak-alan-yonetimi-raporu-kamuoyu-ile-paylasildi|url-status=live}}{{Rp|page=18}} TÜSİAD reports that the massive forest fires that burned in 2021 and the shrinkage and drying of wetlands in Central Anatolia are the most obvious examples of aridification. The severity of drought and the area affected will increase with the effects of climate change; it is predicted that this will harm forests. In a climate that becomes more arid, efforts to increase carbon sink areas, such as afforestation and carbon sequestration, will become less efficient.{{Rp|page=17}} Drought is a threat both directly and indirectly by encouraging bark beetles.{{Cite journal |last=Tufekcioglu |first=Aydin |date=March 2018 |title=Forest ecosystems and drought interactions |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324131072 |journal=Turkish Journal of Forestry}}

{{See also|Anatolia#Ecoregions}}

File:Cliffs on both sides of Aksu stream, Giresun.jpg in the Black Sea Region, Turkey's most forested region]]

Forests are mainly on the mountain ranges parallel to the Mediterranean and Black Sea coasts.{{Cite journal |title= Comparative analysis of forestry systems in the United States and Turkey: Practices, technologies, and challenges|doi= 10.31195/ejejfs.1413359 |journal=Eurasian Journal of Forest Science|date=2024 |last1=Vatandaşlar |first1=Can |volume=12 |pages=19–45 |doi-access=free }} 4% of forests are coppice while the rest are high forests,{{Rp|page=9}} and there are six million ha of maquis, mostly in the south and west.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-10-27 |title=Integrating maquis vegetation to forest management plans in Turkey |url=https://medforest.net/2020/10/27/integrating-maquis-vegetation-to-forest-management-plans-in-turkey/ |access-date=2021-05-30 |website= |publisher=European Forest Institute |language=en-GB |archive-date=2021-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622111531/https://medforest.net/2020/10/27/integrating-maquis-vegetation-to-forest-management-plans-in-turkey/ |url-status=live }} High rainfall in the eastern Black Sea Region sustains temperate rainforest.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=Euxine-Colchic Broadleaf Forests |url=https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/euxine-colchic-broadleaf-forests/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=One Earth |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829011523/https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/euxine-colchic-broadleaf-forests/ |url-status=live }} 15% of forest area is in protected areas and the rest in managed forest.{{Rp|page=63}}

Eight ecoregions are officially defined,{{Rp|page=291}} all of which contain woodland: Euxine-Colchic deciduous forest; North Anatolian deciduous, coniferous and mixed; Mediterranean coastal zone deciduous and coniferous; Mediterranean Mountain zone; Aegean Inland deciduous and coniferous; Central Anatolian steppe; East Anatolian deciduous; and East Anatolian steppe.{{Cite web |title=Eastern Anatolian Montane Steppe |url=https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/eastern-anatolian-montane-steppe/ |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=One Earth |date=29 July 2022 |language=en |quote=Juniper-almond woodlands}} Others include Balkan mixed forests and Caucasus mixed forests, and the World Wide Fund for Nature lists 13 ecozones with woodland. Almost all the forests are in a temperate climate.{{Rp|page=305}}

A quarter of the Black Sea Region is forested, while other regions with over 10% forest include Marmara, Aegean, Mediterranean and East Anatolia.{{Cite web |title=Türkiye'de Ormanların Coğrafi Bölgelere Göre Dağılımı |trans-title=Distribution of Forests in Turkey by geographical region |url=https://www.cografyatr.com/haber/turkiye-de-ormanlarin-cografi-bolgelere-gore-dagilimi |access-date=2021-06-20 |website=www.cografyatr.com |language=tr |archive-date=2021-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711143816/https://www.cografyatr.com/haber/turkiye-de-ormanlarin-cografi-bolgelere-gore-dagilimi |url-status=live }} Wildfires are increasing in some regions due to climate change in Turkey.{{Cite journal|journal=Fresenius Environmental Bulletin|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292332808|title=Climate change and forest fire trend in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey}} Because of droughts in 2008, 2020, and 2021, more forests burned in those years.{{Cite journal |last1=Çamalan |first1=Gülten |last2=Akıl |first2=Sercan |last3=Pekin |first3=Muhammet Ali |title=Using Meteorological Early Warning System (MEUS) and Meteorological Indices for Assessment of Manavgat Forest Fires Occurred in Turkiye July-August 2021 |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/3105010 |url-status=live |journal=Eur J Forest Eng |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113142051/https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/3105010 |archive-date=2024-01-13 |access-date=2024-01-13}}

Large areas of forest can be inventoried by satellite to hectare scale,{{Rp|page=288}} and small areas by lidar.{{Cite journal |last1=Vatandaşlar |first1=Can |last2=Zeybek |first2=Mustafa |last3=Borucu |first3=Süleyman |date=2022-08-15 |title=Mobil LiDAR ile Orman Envanterlerinde Farklı Örnekleme Tasarımlarının Veri Hassasiyeti ve İş Verimliliğine Etkisi: Rize Şenyuva Örneği |trans-title=The Effect of different Sampling Designs on Data Precision and Work Efficiency in Forest Inventories with Mobile Lidar: the example of Rize Şenyuva |journal=Bartın Orman Fakültesi Dergisi |language=tr |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=258–271 |doi=10.24011/barofd.1070484 |issn=1302-0943 |doi-access=free}} The national database, known as EVANIS, uses the national legal definition of forest and is very accurate for stands, but not as good at estimating how much carbon dioxide is absorbed by land use, land-use change, and forestry.{{Rp|page=293}}

The 2023 GDF activity report says "In addition, with the aim of planning and implementing forest areas in an organized and sustainable manner under the name of "Nation Forest" with a new recreation approach, Amasya National Forest, Izmir National Forest, Kastamonu National Forest, Kayseri National Forest, Mersin National Forest, Kocaeli National Forest, Batman National Forest. Forest, Manisa National Forest and Siirt National Forest facilities were realized."{{Rp|page=43}}

In the early 21st century the government put more emphasis on urban trees{{Cite journal |last1=Atmişa |first1=Erdoğan |last2=Günşena |first2=H. Batuhan |last3=Yücedağb |first3=Cengiz |last4=Lise |first4=Wietze |date=2017 |title=Factors affecting the use of urban forests in Turkey |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/297027 |journal=Turkish Journal of Forestry |issue=1 |pages=1–10}} and has said that each major city should have a "city forest",{{Cite web |title=City forests |url=https://www.ogm.gov.tr/en/Documents/City%20Forests.pdf |website=www.ogm.gov.tr}} however these are not always controlled by city councils.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-12-24 |title=Turkish government forces Istanbul Municipality out of managing megacity's largest forest |url=https://www.duvarenglish.com/turkish-government-forces-istanbul-municipality-out-of-managing-megacitys-largest-forest-video-65434 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Gazete Duvar |language=}}

File:Pinus brutia forestry Taurus Mts.jpg forestry in the Taurus Mountains]]

Over half the volume of forest in Turkey is from the three species of Turkish pine, Black pine and Scots pine.{{Cite report |date=6 May 2024 |title=Türkiye. National Communication (NC). NC 8. Biennial Reports (BR). BR 5. |url=https://unfccc.int/documents/638342 |access-date=2024-10-09 |website=unfccc.int}}{{Rp|page=62}} Brown bears sometimes leave the forest and enter urban areas - there is a fine for shooting them.{{Cite web |last=Kuzu |first=Orhan |date=19 October 2023 |title=Ayıların şehre inmesi nasıl önlenebilir? |trans-title=How can bears be prevented from entering the city? |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/yesilhat/dogal-yasam/ayilarin-sehre-inmesi-dogal-yasam-alanlarinda-besin-kaynaklari-korunarak-onlenebilir/1821482 |access-date= |website=Anadolu Agency |archive-date=13 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813090238/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/yesilhat/dogal-yasam/ayilarin-sehre-inmesi-dogal-yasam-alanlarinda-besin-kaynaklari-korunarak-onlenebilir/1821482 |url-status=live }}

Most forests are natural and semi-natural, with some being on mountains and having a lot of biodiversity, hosting most species of the flora and fauna of Turkey, including flagship species such as Anatolian leopards.{{cite journal |author1=Karataş, A. |author2=Bulut, Ş. |author3=Akbaba, B. |name-list-style=amp |year=2021 |title=Camera trap records confirm the survival of the Leopard (Panthera pardus L., 1758) in eastern Turkey (Mammalia: Felidae) |journal=Zoology in the Middle East |volume=67 |issue=3 |pages=1–8 |doi=10.1080/09397140.2021.1924419 |s2cid=235564429}}{{Cite journal |last1=Sarı |first1=A. |last2=Gündoğdu |first2=E. |last3=Başkaya |first3=Ş. |last4=Arpacık |first4=A. |name-list-style=amp |date=2020 |title=Habitat preference by the Anatolian leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana Valenciennes, 1856) in North-eastern Anatolia, Turkey |journal=Belgian Journal of Zoology |volume=150 |pages=153–168 |doi=10.26496/bjz.2020.78 |doi-access=free}} Deciduous forests can be found along the Black Sea. Species in various ecoregions in Turkey, namely Irano-Turanion, Mediterranean and Euro-Siberian, belong to about 800 woody taxa. As of 2020 the predominant species are oak (Quercus spp. 29%), Turkish pine (Pinus brutia 23%), black pine (Pinus nigra 18%), Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis 8%), European red pine (Pinus silvestris 6%), Juniper (Juniperus spp. 6%), Fir (Abies spp. 2%), Caucasian Spruce (Picea orientalis 2%), Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani 2%): other species include Stone pine (Pinus pinea), Mediterranean cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), Alder (Alnus spp.), sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa), and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus).{{Cite book |isbn=978-605-7599-68-1 |location=Ankara |title=2020 Türkiye Orman Varlığı |date=2021 |publisher=Orman Mühendisleri Odası |url=https://www.ogm.gov.tr/tr/ormanlarimiz-sitesi/TurkiyeOrmanVarligi/Yayinlar/2020%20T%C3%BCrkiye%20Orman%20Varl%C4%B1%C4%9F%C4%B1.pdf |archive-date=2022-02-28 |access-date=2025-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228145940/https://www.ogm.gov.tr/tr/ormanlarimiz-sitesi/TurkiyeOrmanVarligi/Yayinlar/2020%20T%C3%BCrkiye%20Orman%20Varl%C4%B1%C4%9F%C4%B1.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Rp|page=29}}

There are old-growth forests containing over 500 taxa of trees and shrubs in the country. Old-growth-forests are defined as "A primary or natural/near natural forest area containing tree species, whose existence can be traced back from hundreds of years to neolithic ages." Degraded ancient woodlands are sometimes very scattered.{{Rp|page=219}} According to a 2018 study by Turkish and British academics, both local support and national policy are needed to protect and rehabilitate them.{{Rp|page=213}} Heritage trees include the İnkaya Plane Tree,{{Cite web |title=Plaza of monumental Inkaya Plane Tree |url=https://iflaeurope.eu/index.php/site/project/the-arninge-ullna-riparian-forest-park |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911063251/https://iflaeurope.eu/index.php/site/project/the-arninge-ullna-riparian-forest-park |archive-date=2024-09-11 |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=International Federation of Landscape Architects}} and some are called natural monuments.

File:Spring In Belgrad Forest 1920s.jpg in Istanbul in the 1920s]]

File:Turkey road sign B-31.svg sites are often wooded|100x100px]]

Forests are the country's main carbon sink, especially in western Turkey where most are living biomass rather than soil organic carbon.{{Cite journal|last=Mumcu Kucuker|first=Derya|date=2020-08-01|title=Spatiotemporal changes of carbon storage in forest carbon pools of Western Turkey: 1972–2016|url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-020-08431-x|journal=Environmental Monitoring and Assessment|language=en|volume=192|issue=8|pages=555|doi=10.1007/s10661-020-08431-x|pmid=32740772|bibcode=2020EMnAs.192..555M |s2cid=220886275|issn=1573-2959|url-access=subscription}} Forests are estimated to have absorbed 34 million tonnes of the 600 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by Turkey in 2021, less than in previous years due to both forest fires and a lot of wood being harvested.{{cite tech report

|work=Turkish Statistical Institute

|title=Turkish Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990 - 2021 [TurkStat report]

|date=14 April 2023

|url=https://unfccc.int/documents/627786

}}{{Rp|287}} The World Bank says that, "Increasing forest cover and improving forest health can help prevent soil erosion and landslides and reduce the impacts of floods."{{Cite web|date=12 March 2020|title=Turkey Resilient Landscape Integration Project|url=https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/549311586266635333/text/Concept-Project-Information-Document-PID-Turkey-Resilient-Landscape-Integration-Project-TULIP-P172562.txt|website=World Bank}} In the mid-2020s the World Bank is supporting a project to make the forests more resilient against climate change in Turkey.{{Cite web |title=Development Projects : Türkiye Climate Resilient Forests Project - P179345 |url=https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P179345 |access-date=2024-01-13 |website=World Bank |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113141542/https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P179345 |url-status=live }} Eight million ha of forests are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.{{Rp|page=4}}

File:Detail of an old house in Çengelköy.JPG in Istanbul]]

Some forests, such as Belgrad Forest in Istanbul, are important for recreation and tourism. Some national parks and nature parks of Turkey contain forest, and there is an ecotourism plan to 2025.{{Cite web |title=Ecotourism Action Plan |url=https://www.ogm.gov.tr/tr/e-kutuphane-sitesi/Yayinlar/Ecotourism%20Action%20Plan%202021-2025.pdf |access-date=2024-02-20 |archive-date=2024-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220153715/https://www.ogm.gov.tr/tr/e-kutuphane-sitesi/Yayinlar/Ecotourism%20Action%20Plan%202021-2025.pdf |url-status=live }} There are forest schools{{Cite journal |last1=Ahi |first1=Berat |last2=Kaya |first2=Gökhan |last3=Kahriman-Pamuk |first3=Deniz |date=2023-04-04 |title=Forest schools as a family choice: a narrative study |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03004430.2022.2131779 |journal=Early Child Development and Care |language=en |volume=193 |issue=5 |pages=647–660 |doi=10.1080/03004430.2022.2131779 |s2cid=252831666 |issn=0300-4430 |archive-date=2024-01-31 |access-date=2024-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131113737/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03004430.2022.2131779 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }} and preschooling.{{Cite journal |last1=Sevimli-Celik |first1=Serap |last2=Canaslan-Akyar |first2=Begum |date=2024-03-01 |title=Pre-schoolers in nature: A five-week play & learning experience within a Turkish context |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-023-00867-0 |journal=Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences |language=en |volume=14 |issue=1 |pages=87–101 |doi=10.1007/s13412-023-00867-0 |bibcode=2024JEnSS..14...87S |s2cid=264337024 |issn=2190-6491|url-access=subscription }}

As of the early 2020s, there is no regulation encouraging more use of wood in buildings{{Cite journal |last1=Gençay |first1=G. |last2=Birben |first2=Ü. |date=2024-06-01 |title=Striving for sustainability: Climate-Smart Forestry measures in Türkiye |url=https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cfa/ifr/2024/00000026/00000002/art00004 |journal=International Forestry Review |volume=26 |issue=2 |pages=198–211 |doi=10.1505/146554824838819879|url-access=subscription }} instead of concrete and steel, which are carbon-intensive. There is no standard life-cycle assessment of the sustainability of buildings.{{Cite journal |last1=Mercan |first1=Muhammed Cihat |last2=Koşma |first2=Elvan Burcu |last3=Karakaş |first3=Yusuf |last4=Akyüz |first4=Serra Melek |last5=Gül |first5=Fuat Berke |last6=Görüryilmaz |first6=Mehmet Turan |last7=Ünal |first7=Berat Berkan |date=2024-05-03 |title=Overall approach to building LCA and recent studies in Türkiye |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17512549.2024.2361343 |journal=Advances in Building Energy Research |language=en |volume=18 |issue=3 |pages=322–352 |bibcode=2024AdBER..18..322M |doi=10.1080/17512549.2024.2361343 |issn=1751-2549|url-access=subscription }} There are no plans to reduce firewood burning,{{Cite journal|doi=10.14744/sigma.2023.00042 |url=https://eds.yildiz.edu.tr/AjaxTool/GetArticleByPublishedArticleId?PublishedArticleId=6741|title=Household energy poverty: The concept, issues and implications for Turkiye| date=2023 | last1=Gunay | first1=Simge | journal=Sigma Journal of Engineering and Natural Sciences – Sigma Mühendislik ve Fen Bilimleri Dergisi | doi-access=free }} although it emits soot and causes indoor air pollution, which is bad for health.{{Cite journal |last1=İPEK |first1=Özlem |last2=İPEK |first2=Egemen |date=2021-12-01 |title=Effects of indoor air pollution on household health: evidence from Turkey |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-15175-9 |journal=Environmental Science and Pollution Research |language=en |volume=28 |issue=47 |pages=67519–67527 |doi=10.1007/s11356-021-15175-9 |issn=1614-7499 |pmc=8277228 |pmid=34258706|bibcode=2021ESPR...2867519I }}

About half of forest in Turkey is directly part of the economy, with most of the rest functioning as watershed and erosion control. 29 million m³ of standing trees,{{refn|group=note|1={{lang|tr|dikili damga}} has been mistranslated as "sewn stamp" [sic] but perhaps means timber mark.}} 23 million m³ industrial wood, and five million steres of firewood were sold in 2023.{{Rp|page=42}} {{As of|2023}}, wood production is the main source of profit from forests. 25 million m³ of wood was harvested in 2022, including 9 million m³ of timber, 9 million m³ of fibre-chip wood, 5 million m³ of paper wood, and 1 million m³ of industry wood.{{Cite report|url=https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/Market%20Report%20Turkiye.pdf|title=Türkiye Forest Products Annual Market Review|year=2023|publisher=:tr:Orman Genel Müdürlüğü|archive-date=2023-11-09|access-date=2024-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109235516/https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/Market%20Report%20Turkiye.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Rp|page=13}} Most wood is used to make board. Lidar can estimate wood volume.{{Rp|page=34}}

70% of timber is used in construction, 20% is used in furniture and 10% is used in packaging and other industries. Timber consumption per person per year is about 0.08 m³.{{Cite web |year=2019 |title=Furniture |url=https://www.trade.gov.tr/data/5b8fd5bf13b8761f041fee9b/Furniture.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Trade |access-date=2024-09-08 |archive-date=2024-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908070359/https://www.trade.gov.tr/data/5b8fd5bf13b8761f041fee9b/Furniture.pdf |url-status=live }} Feebates for landowners have been suggested, especially for land at the agriculture/forest boundary: [CO2 rental price] × [carbon storage on their land in a baseline period ─ stored carbon in the current period].{{Cite web |last1=Parry |first1=Ian |last2=Minnett |first2=Danielle |last3=Zhunussova |first3=Karlygash |title=Climate Mitigation Policy in Türkiye |url=https://www.imf.org/-/media/Files/Publications/WP/2023/English/wpiea2023108-print-pdf.ashx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113190902/https://www.imf.org/-/media/Files/Publications/WP/2023/English/wpiea2023108-print-pdf.ashx |archive-date=2025-01-13 |access-date=2024-09-14 |website=IMF working paper}}{{Rp|pages=33–34}}

Non-timber forest products include resin, acorns, mushrooms, truffles, and honey.{{Rp|page=43}} Boar hunting (sometimes in fields rather than forest), deer hunting, and hunting of some other species{{Cite journal |title=Fatal Land Hunting-Releated Injuries in the Eastern Black Sea Region - Turkey |url=https://jag.journalagent.com/travma/pdfs/UTD_28_10_1494_1499.pdf |journal=Turkish Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery |date=2021 |doi=10.14744/tjtes.2021.77662 |last1=Özsoy |first1=Sait |volume=28 |issue=10 |pages=1494–1499 |pmid=36169469 |pmc=10277367 |archive-date=2024-08-13 |access-date=2024-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813084314/https://jag.journalagent.com/travma/pdfs/UTD_28_10_1494_1499.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Cite journal |last1= Aksoy|first1= Zekeriya|last2= Seven|first2= Erdem|date= 2022|title=The Descriptive Overview of Hunting Tourism: General Reviews for Turkey |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359296387 |journal=Journal of Current Debates in Social Sciences |volume= |issue= |pages= |doi=10.37154/cudes.2022.47}} is regulated by the ministry.{{Cite web |title=Hunting |url=https://www.ktb.gov.tr/EN-99219/hunting.html |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Ministry of Culture and Tourism |archive-date=2024-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240813084315/https://www.ktb.gov.tr/EN-99219/hunting.html |url-status=live }}

The value of wood product exports is more than twice that of imports, and the value of both exports and imports increased from 2020 to 2022.{{Rp|page=3}} In 2022, the country from which the most wood products were imported from was Russia (over 20%) and that to which the most was exported was Iraq (about 10%).{{Cite web |title=Wood Products in Turkey |url=https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/wood-products/reporter/tur |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=The Observatory of Economic Complexity |language=en |archive-date=2024-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908065101/https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/wood-products/reporter/tur |url-status=live }}

{{See also|Environmental issues in Turkey}}

Some non-native insects, such as scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha),{{Cite journal |last1=Ülgentürk |first1=Selma |last2=Dokuyucu |first2=Özden |date=2019-12-27 |title=Pest species of Coccoidea (Hemiptera; Coccomorpha) in forest of Turkey |url=https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/tjf/issue/51103/616353 |journal=Turkish Journal of Forestry |language=en |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=482–491 |doi=10.18182/tjf.616353 |issn=2149-3898 |archive-date=2024-08-09 |access-date=2024-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809054508/https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/tjf/issue/51103/616353 |url-status=live }} are pests.{{Cite conference| first1=Şükran|last1=Oğuzoğlu | first2=Mustafa|last2=Avci

|conference=Turkey 6th Plant Protection Congress with International Participation|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319620715|title=Invasive Alien Forest Insects in Turkey}} Wildfires in Turkey, such as in 2021, affect the economy in various sectors, such as tourism.{{Cite book|last=|first=|title=Forest Fires Causes, Effects, Monitoring, Precautions and Rehabilitation Activities|date=2021|isbn=978-605-2249-79-6|publisher=Turkish Academy of Sciences|url=https://www.tuba.gov.tr/en/publications/non-periodical-publications/science-and-thought-series-1/forest-fires-causes-effects-monitoring-precautions-and-rehabilitation-activities|access-date=2024-02-21|language=en|archive-date=2024-02-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221074157/https://www.tuba.gov.tr/en/publications/non-periodical-publications/science-and-thought-series-1/forest-fires-causes-effects-monitoring-precautions-and-rehabilitation-activities|url-status=live}} The public may be banned from entering forests in the summer in efforts to prevent fires.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-08 |title=Istanbul bans entry to forests to prevent fires |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/istanbul-bans-entry-to-forests-to-prevent-fires-197191 |access-date=2024-08-10 |website=Hürriyet Daily News |language=en |archive-date=2024-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240810072023/https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/istanbul-bans-entry-to-forests-to-prevent-fires-197191 |url-status=live }} The 2021 mega fires are estimated to have emitted 10 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from 135 million ha burnt.{{Rp|page=366}} The World Bank is helping to increase resilience to wildfires. The Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion said that from 2012 to 2022, too many licenses were being granted for non-forest uses, such as mining.{{Cite web |title=We need forest and water assets for a peaceful world! |url=http://www.tema.org.tr/en/press-room/press-release/tema-foundation-we-need-forest-and-water-assets-for-a-peaceful-world |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809060048/https://www.tema.org.tr/en/press-room/press-release/tema-foundation-we-need-forest-and-water-assets-for-a-peaceful-world |archive-date=2024-08-09 |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=TEMA Foundation |language=en}} However, in 2024, the extension of coal mining in Akbelen Forest was eventually refused after protests,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-03-15 |title=Erdoğan quickly rescinds decree opening land around Akbelen forest for mining |url=https://www.duvarenglish.com/erdogan-quickly-rescinds-decree-opening-land-around-akbelen-forest-for-mining-news-64013 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Gazete Duvar |language= |archive-date=2024-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906175744/https://www.duvarenglish.com/erdogan-quickly-rescinds-decree-opening-land-around-akbelen-forest-for-mining-news-64013 |url-status=live }} and a 2020 study said that 2010s legislation had made mining in forests more sustainable.{{Cite journal |title=Evaluation of forestland use in mining operation activities in Turkey in terms of sustainable natural resources |date=2020 |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340740364 |doi=10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104638 |last1=Yıldız |first1=Taşkın Deniz |journal=Land Use Policy |volume=96 }} Satellites such as Landsat and Sentinel can be used to study fire damage.{{Cite journal |last1=Güney |first1=Coşkun Okan |last2=Mert |first2=Ahmet |last3=Gülsoy |first3=Serkan |date=2023-12-01 |title=Assessing fire severity in Turkey's forest ecosystems using spectral indices from satellite images |journal=Journal of Forestry Research |language=en |volume=34 |issue=6 |pages=1747–1761 |doi=10.1007/s11676-023-01620-7 |issn=1993-0607|doi-access=free |bibcode=2023JFoR...34.1747G }} {{As of|2021}}, the Istanbul northern forest is threatened by urban growth.{{Cite report|year=2021|title=Kuzey Ormanlari Tehdit ve Tahrip Raporu|trans-title=Northern Forests Threat and Destruction Report|url=https://koru.istanbul/files/arsiv/dosya/tahriprapor.pdf|archive-date=2024-08-09|access-date=2024-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809055037/https://koru.istanbul/files/arsiv/dosya/tahriprapor.pdf|url-status=live}}

{{See also|Forest dynamics}}

{{As of|2022}}, how much of the Central Anatolian steppe was originally forested was not certain, but in some lower regions, it is thought that it has always been steppe and too dry for trees due to the rain shadows of nearby mountains.{{Cite journal |doi=10.54614/forestist.2022.21056 |last=Kahveci |first=Gülzade |title=General Characteristics and Distribution of Forest Relicts in Central Anatolia |journal=Forestist |date=2022 |volume=72 |issue=2 |pages=192–198 |url=https://forestist.org/Content/files/sayilar/446/192-198.pdf |archive-date=2023-11-11 |access-date=2023-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111184017/https://forestist.org/Content/files/sayilar/446/192-198.pdf |url-status=live }} However a 2018 study said that temperature is more important than precipitation. It said because they are hot the Aegean and Mediterranean regions would potentially be mostly coniferous. And it said the Black Sea and Maramara regions could have broadleaf, mixed forests would be in Central Anatolia.{{Cite journal |last=Raja |first=Nussaïbah B. |last2=Aydin |first2=Olgu |last3=Çiçek |first3=İhsan |last4=Türkoğlu |first4=Necla |date=2019-12-01 |title=A reconstruction of Turkey’s potential natural vegetation using climate indicators |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11676-018-0855-7 |journal=Journal of Forestry Research |language=en |volume=30 |issue=6 |pages=2199–2211 |doi=10.1007/s11676-018-0855-7 |issn=1993-0607|url-access=subscription }} A 2006 study suggested that 50 million ha (64%) of land was potential forest.{{Cite journal |last1=Rotherham |first1=Ian D. |last2=Çolak |first2=Alper H. |date=2006 |title=A Review of the Forest Vegetation of Turkey: its Status Past and Present and its Future Conservation |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237527305 |journal=Biology & Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy |volume=106 |issue=3 |pages=343–354 |doi=10.3318/BIOE.2006.106.3.343}}{{Rp|page=344}} For steppe, it has been suggested that overgrazing should be stopped, but that full recovery to woodland should be prevented so as to have both steppe and woodland wildlife.{{Cite report |url=https://ruffordorg.s3.amazonaws.com/media/project_reports/29.04.09%20Detailed%20Final%20Report.pdf |title=Assessment of Current Condition of Steppes in Central Anatolia for Conservation Purposes/ Turkey |last=Ambarlı |first=Didem |date=27 March 2011 |access-date=11 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111180408/https://ruffordorg.s3.amazonaws.com/media/project_reports/29.04.09%20Detailed%20Final%20Report.pdf |archive-date=11 November 2023 |url-status=live}}

Regeneration of ancient woodland (also called old-growth forest) may be possible, if local needs are properly considered.{{Rp|page=236}} As some reforestation attempts have suffered due to a lack of water, desalination has been suggested.{{Cite journal |last1=Caldera |first1=Upeksha |last2=Breyer |first2=Christian |date=2023-02-06 |title=Afforesting arid land with renewable electricity and desalination to mitigate climate change |journal=Nature Sustainability |language=en |volume=6 |issue=5 |pages=526–538 |bibcode=2023NatSu...6..526C |doi=10.1038/s41893-022-01056-7 |issn=2398-9629 |s2cid=256646404 |doi-access=free}} Coppices have become high forests,{{Rp|page=305}} and grassland in and around forest has become forests.{{Rp|page=308}} Anatolian black pine is commonly used for reforestation.{{cite journal | url=https://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/jfs-202110-0001_a-major-tool-for-afforestation-of-semi-arid-and-anthropogenic-steppe-areas-in-turkey-pinus-nigra-j-f-arnold-s.php | doi=10.17221/74/2021-JFS | title=A major tool for afforestation of semi-arid and anthropogenic steppe areas in Turkey: Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold subsp. Pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe | date=2021 | last1=Ayan | first1=Sezgin | last2=Yücedag | first2=Cengiz | last3=Simovski | first3=Bojan | journal=Journal of Forest Science | volume=67 | issue=10 | pages=449–463 | doi-access=free }} The Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion is an involved NGO.{{Cite web |title=81 Forests in 81 Cities |url=https://www.tema.org.tr/en/about-us/corporate/81-forest-81-cities |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion |language= |archive-date=2024-09-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908062044/https://www.tema.org.tr/en/about-us/corporate/81-forest-81-cities |url-status=live }} The Foresters' Association of Turkey, established in 1924, is one of the country's oldest civil society organisations.{{Cite web |last1=Sefercik |first1=Recep |last2=Öztürk |first2=Ünsal |last3=Baykara |first3=Oğuzhan |last4=Yıldız |first4=Tanıl |last5=Tümer |first5=Dilek Şevval |date=2020 |title=Türkiye Ormancılar Derneği |url=https://repository.bilkent.edu.tr/items/0806c67b-fceb-4b35-8948-96ac0a35841c |language=Turkish |access-date=2024-09-15 |archive-date=2024-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915072600/https://repository.bilkent.edu.tr/items/0806c67b-fceb-4b35-8948-96ac0a35841c |url-status=live }} It takes twenty years to convert to forest.{{Rp|page=311}} Salt, gypsum and very alkali ground can hinder forest growth.{{Cite journal |title= Ecology and Classification of Forests in Turkey|doi=10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.02.163 |journal=Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences| date=2014 | last1=Atalay | first1=Ibrahim | last2=Efe | first2=Recep | last3=Öztürk | first3=Münir | volume=120 | pages=788–805 | doi-access=free }} Although companies donate some saplings, memorial forests, such as Cyprus Memorial Forest in Silifke, are not usually corporate forests.{{Cite web |title=TEMA, Türkiye Erozyonla Mücadele, Ağaçlandırma ve Doğal Varlıkları Koruma Vakfı |url=https://www.tema.org.tr/en/our-works/forest/memorial-forests |access-date=2024-09-18 |website=www.tema.org.tr |language=en |archive-date=2024-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917215903/https://www.tema.org.tr/en/our-works/forest/memorial-forests |url-status=live }} Belts and lines of trees are planted to combat wind erosion.{{Cite web |title=Activities for combatting wind erosion in Turkey |url=https://webdosya.csb.gov.tr/db/cem/icerikler/ruzgarxing-20211108140359.pdf |access-date=2024-09-23 |archive-date=2024-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808223737/https://webdosya.csb.gov.tr/db/cem/icerikler/ruzgarxing-20211108140359.pdf |url-status=live }}

Turkey's 12th development plan (2024 to 2028) says that "carbon sink areas will be increased by improving the adaptation capability of our forests to climate change."{{Cite web |title=12th Development plan |url=https://www.sbb.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Twelfth-Development-Plan_2024-2028.pdf |access-date=2024-10-09 |archive-date=2024-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913043453/https://www.sbb.gov.tr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Twelfth-Development-Plan_2024-2028.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Rp|page=51}}

{{See also|Turkish folklore#Tree worship}}

File:WunschbaumKappadokien.JPG in late 20th century Cappadocia]]Trees and forest are important in Turkish culture.{{Cite journal |last=Özarslan |first=Metin |date=2003-01-01 |title=Türk Kültüründe Ağaç ve Orman Kültü |url=https://www.academia.edu/23900923 |journal=Türkbilig |archive-date=2024-12-13 |access-date=2024-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213213112/https://www.academia.edu/23900923 |url-status=live }} Turkish people include Tahtacı, who may have descended from Ağaçeri and are documented in the short documentary Fatma of the Forest. Turkic mythology may have included the tree of life Ulukayın,{{Cite web |title=THE ESTABLISHED IN THE CITY |url=https://www.ogm.gov.tr/en/Documents/The%20Established%20in%20the%20City.pdf |page=310}} and forest spirits archura and äbädä.{{Cite journal|url=https://inlibrary.uz/index.php/eijmrms/article/download/25562/26406/29674|title=Turkic Folklore against the background of the World Picture|journal=European International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Management Studies|issn=2750-8587|archive-date=2024-08-05|access-date=2024-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805112708/https://inlibrary.uz/index.php/eijmrms/article/download/25562/26406/29674|url-status=live}}

Regulations say that the nearest "forest villagers" must do all forestry work. However, younger people are moving to towns and cities, and new equipment is expensive for the villagers. {{As of|2024}}, there are 25 thousand forest rangers.{{Cite web |title=Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey : "We spare no effort in fighting forest fires effectively" |url=https://www.tccb.gov.tr/en/news/542/153326/-we-spare-no-effort-in-fighting-forest-fires-effectively- |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=www.tccb.gov.tr}} 1.2 billion lira ({{To USD round|1172698085|TUR|year=2023|sf=2}} USD) support was provided to eleven thousand families in 2023.{{Rp|page=68}}

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Commons category inline|Forests in Turkey}}
• [https://www.ogm.gov.tr/en General Directorate of Forestry]
• [https://cbs.ogm.gov.tr/vatandas/ Official map]
• [https://www.ogm.gov.tr/en/Documents/Main%20Tree%20Species%20of%20T%C3%BCrkiye.pdf Description and distribution of main tree species]
• [https://fra-data.fao.org/assessments/fra/2025/TUR/home/overview Global Forest Resources Assessment at Food and Agriculture Organization]
• [https://www.ormuh.org.tr/ Orman Mühendisleri Odası (Chamber of Forest Engineers)]
• [https://www.ogm.gov.tr/tr/e-kutuphane-sitesi/Yayinlar/T%C3%BCrkiye%20Ye%C5%9Filleniyor%20ingilizce.pdf Before and after photos of reforestation]

{{Forestry by country}}