GIS BASED INVENTORY AND DOCUMENTATION OF MONUMENTAL TREES IN BLACK SEA REGION OF TURKEY

Abstract

Main objective of this study is documentation of the monumental trees has been a part of human life for a long time for many different aspects such as contributing to ongoing nature conservation in Black Sea Region of Turkey. Additionally, it is aimed to contribute creating awareness for the protection of monumental trees and provide a guide line for future studies related to GIS based documentation of the monumental trees. All types of monumental trees have different features and they are basically classified into four main groups in terms of their historical, mystic, folkloric and dimensionally characteristics. In this study, initially a GIS data base was created using in-situ collected data related to monumental trees such as the crown diameters of trees, diameter of body, heights and estimated ages of 334 monumental trees lied in the study region. Among these monumental trees, Plat anus orientalis is recorded as the most common genera with the amount of 157. Basics statistical evaluations and analysis according to their attributes were also realized and visualized. Spatial distribution and geostatistical analysis were carried out using GIS database which can be considered as an important tool in the inventory and documentation process of the monumental trees.