Environmental research

Decreasing of the fossil energy resources and arising various enviromental problems caused by the using of these resources have raised to improve and generalize the efforts on biomass energy in several countries. However, such efforts in Turkey have not been fully highlighted. Whereas there is high quality and quantity of biomass potential in Turkey, which can not be disregarded. On the other hand, especially in rural settlements, energy for cooking and heating is mostly provided from the wood. But according to findings, half of the wood consumed for these purposes is obtained illegally from state forests. It is such that, in some regions, most of the wood consumed is obtained illegally. On the other hand, utilization of wood in a way which would not harm forest ecosystems can decrease use of fossil fuels that cause global warming and besides provide environmental benefits such as prevention of soil erosion, sustainability of water resources and capturing of carbon. For this reason, efforts for providing of fuelwood which would not harm forest ecosystems must be enhanced and gain efficiency. There is no background in Turkey which enables this necessity drastically. With this project, in order to contribute to overcome this problem, dissemination activities are primarily and heavily envisaged on awareness of inhabitants settled in and near forest (forest villages). 1- After a preliminary research of the situation in Turkey together with related stakeholders, models are going to developed regarding mutli-purpose energy forestry according to each particular eco-regions characteristics 2-Plantations will be carried out as demonstrations. 3-Lessons learned will be gathered and documented. 4- Information materials will be prepared and distributed. 5- Training will be carried out.

Turkey