A Review of the Forest Vegetation of Turkey: Its Status Past and Present and Its Future Conservation

This paper reviews the history and development of forests in Turkey. It considers the published literature and summarises extensive fieldwork in order to present an overview of the forest resource. The issues of landscape change and the associated historic drivers are addressed and the threats to these important and biodiverse landscapes, both now and in the past, are considered. The findings are placed in a wider context, and comparisons with wooded or forest landscapes elsewhere are drawn. It notes the impacts and influences of the transfer of perceptions, management cultures and priorities in approaches and actions from elsewhere. In particular, the contrasting situation in the United Kingdom is discussed with its implications for strategic developments. Suggestions for future priorities and for conservation action are put forward.