Research Article

Estimation of some forest stand parameters using different satellite images: Case Studies from Kelkit and İğdir Planning Units

Volume: 26 Number: 3 September 30, 2025
TR EN

Estimation of some forest stand parameters using different satellite images: Case Studies from Kelkit and İğdir Planning Units

Abstract

Accurate and up-to-date information on forest composition and structure is essential for effective management, yet conventional inventory methods require considerable time, labor, and cost. Remote sensing provides an efficient alternative by enabling the estimation of stand parameters through reliable and rapid techniques. This study investigates the relationships between remotely sensed data and key stand parameters—including number of trees, basal area, and volume—measured from field sample plots in even-aged pure Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands and uneven-aged pure fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmuelleriana) stands. Research was conducted in Kelkit/Gümüşhane, dominated by Pinus sylvestris, and İğdir/Kastamonu, characterized by Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmuelleriana. Five different remote sensing datasets were employed, including Göktürk-2, Rasat, and aerial photographs captured with digital cameras, which had not previously been applied for similar purposes. Using multiple regression analysis in SPSS 20.0, relationships between stand parameters and satellite reflectance/pixel values, along with vegetation indices derived from ERDAS Imagine, were evaluated. Results indicated that Landsat 8 imagery produced the most accurate estimations for all parameters in both regions. The adjusted R² values for volume, basal area, and tree number were 0.44, 0.77, and 0.77, respectively, in Kelkit, and 0.60, 0.75, and 0.80 in İğdir. Models with the highest coefficients of determination and lowest standard errors were selected and applied to both study areas. Final outputs were compared with the existing stand type maps, demonstrating the effectiveness of remote sensing in improving forest inventory and management.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TUBITAK

Project Number

115O013

Thanks

This study was produced from the first author’s master thesis with substantial revisions made for this publication. We would like to thank the TUBITAK (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye), for financially supporting this research with project code 115O013. We gratefully acknowledge Turkish forest service OGM (General Directorate of Forestry) for providing the forest management plan data.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Forestry Management and Environment

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 30, 2025

Submission Date

July 31, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 11, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 26 Number: 3

APA
Çil, B., Karahalil, U., Karslı, F., & Canaz Sevgen, S. (2025). Estimation of some forest stand parameters using different satellite images: Case Studies from Kelkit and İğdir Planning Units. Turkish Journal of Forestry, 26(3), 277-285. https://doi.org/10.18182/tjf.1753681
AMA
1.Çil B, Karahalil U, Karslı F, Canaz Sevgen S. Estimation of some forest stand parameters using different satellite images: Case Studies from Kelkit and İğdir Planning Units. Turkish Journal of Forestry. 2025;26(3):277-285. doi:10.18182/tjf.1753681
Chicago
Çil, Bayram, Uzay Karahalil, Fevzi Karslı, and Sibel Canaz Sevgen. 2025. “Estimation of Some Forest Stand Parameters Using Different Satellite Images: Case Studies from Kelkit and İğdir Planning Units”. Turkish Journal of Forestry 26 (3): 277-85. https://doi.org/10.18182/tjf.1753681.
EndNote
Çil B, Karahalil U, Karslı F, Canaz Sevgen S (September 1, 2025) Estimation of some forest stand parameters using different satellite images: Case Studies from Kelkit and İğdir Planning Units. Turkish Journal of Forestry 26 3 277–285.
IEEE
[1]B. Çil, U. Karahalil, F. Karslı, and S. Canaz Sevgen, “Estimation of some forest stand parameters using different satellite images: Case Studies from Kelkit and İğdir Planning Units”, Turkish Journal of Forestry, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 277–285, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.18182/tjf.1753681.
ISNAD
Çil, Bayram - Karahalil, Uzay - Karslı, Fevzi - Canaz Sevgen, Sibel. “Estimation of Some Forest Stand Parameters Using Different Satellite Images: Case Studies from Kelkit and İğdir Planning Units”. Turkish Journal of Forestry 26/3 (September 1, 2025): 277-285. https://doi.org/10.18182/tjf.1753681.
JAMA
1.Çil B, Karahalil U, Karslı F, Canaz Sevgen S. Estimation of some forest stand parameters using different satellite images: Case Studies from Kelkit and İğdir Planning Units. Turkish Journal of Forestry. 2025;26:277–285.
MLA
Çil, Bayram, et al. “Estimation of Some Forest Stand Parameters Using Different Satellite Images: Case Studies from Kelkit and İğdir Planning Units”. Turkish Journal of Forestry, vol. 26, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 277-85, doi:10.18182/tjf.1753681.
Vancouver
1.Bayram Çil, Uzay Karahalil, Fevzi Karslı, Sibel Canaz Sevgen. Estimation of some forest stand parameters using different satellite images: Case Studies from Kelkit and İğdir Planning Units. Turkish Journal of Forestry. 2025 Sep. 1;26(3):277-85. doi:10.18182/tjf.1753681