Investigation on sand-dune afforestation by Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill) in Patara-Antalya region

Abstract

As a result of the measurements made in these afforestation works carried out with the Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill) species under the scope of Patara Sand-Dune Afforestation Works in Kas district of Antalya province, the average breast height growth was found to be between 32.4 and 46.5 cm, the average height growth was found to be between 15.2 and 24.6 m and the average growing stock per hectare was found be varying between 9.164 and 17.098 m3/ha. Moreover, it was found that outstanding results had been achieved with this sand-dune afforestation work carried out to prevent the threat of the sand-dune movements to the inner settlements and fertile agricultural lands, and that new fertile soil formations had been obtained. In addition to this, although the Eucalyptus species used in afforestation was an exotic species, it was also determined that the average adaptability varied between 71.8 and 86.3% and that it showed a great adaptation to the region.