Stand type
The obtained findings showed that the stand type was effective on the
species distribution and habitat preferences. There are 54 different
stand types11Explanation of stand types specifics is given in
Appendix 1. in the area. Mab3 stand type is the stand type with the
most determinations with 304 records. This was followed by stand types
BArÇk with 232 records, BÇk with 225 records and BÇkAr with 220 records
(Figure 3-4).
Figure 3. The total number of records observed in stand types.
Figure 4. Distributions of determined species by stand types
As can be seen in Figure 4, the stand type preferred by each species
varies. The wild boar was determined 91 times in the Çkc2 stand type, 80
times in MÇkbc3 stand type and 3 77 times in Mab stand type. The
European hare was seen 140 times in BArÇk stand, 93 times BÇk stand and
85 times in Çkcd1 stand. The red fox, which is the third densest species
in its area, was observed 66 times in BÇkAr stand, 62 times in Mab3
stand and 19 times in Çkd/bc2 stand. The stand types in which the other
species detected in the area are mostly observed are as follows; gray
wolf 101 times in MAb3 stand, golden jackal 54 times in Ma3 stand, red
deer 66 times in Z-2 stand, beech marten 30 times in Çkcd1 stand,
European badger 16 times in Çzd1 stand, brown bear 20 times in Mçkbc
stand, Eurasian otter 73 times in Bk-1 stand, jungel cat 64 times in
Bk-1 stand, wild cat 7 times in Mab3 stand, and Eurasian lynx 4 times in
BArÇk, BArÇk2, Çkd/bc2, BÇkAr, ArMab2 stands (Figure 4).
It is thought that two important factors are effective in the preference
of different stand types in the same area by the species. The first of
these is the predator-prey relationship. For example, MAb3, which is the
stand type most frequently observed by the grey wolf, is also among the
stands where it is mostly seen in wild boar and red deer, which are its
most important prey. Similarly, there is an absolute harmony between the
stands where the Eurasian lynx is observed the most and the areas where
the European hare, which is its most important prey, is observed the
most. This shows that hunters tend to prefer their preys selected stand
selection. Another factor affecting the stand preferences of wild
animals is the seasons. The nutrient regime, which changes depending on
the season, causes the species to turn to different stands. While many
species prefer areas with less snow cover in winter, this preference
changes towards safer but nutrient-rich stands in summer. In this
regard, Dussault et. al. (2005) states that wild animals prefer
coniferous stands as the best habitat type in which they avoid deep snow
cover or predator pressure in winter, whereas these stands have very low
food availability. In such a situation, wild animals are exposed to
other limiting factors and turn to different stand types to access food.
Stands, which are rich in food and have low predatory effects, are
preferred more in spring and summer than in winter.
As a result of the observations and evaluations made in general, it can
be said that the stand preferences of the species determined in the
study area in habitat use are mostly degraded and mixed stands, and pure
and protected stands are less preferred.