Relations between Growth and Some Ecological Properties of Fir Stands in Gümüşhane-Karanlıkdere

Site index affects tree growth in various ways. Thus, while it can be optimal for one it also can be bad for the other. Relations between growth and some ecological properties of Norman fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. nordmanniana) were studied. Location of these fir stands is Gumushane- Karanlikdere. The research area comprises 1122.0 ha and is located in the eastern Black Sea region, about 40 km away from Gumushane Province, Turkey. Meanwhile, this area is located in the upper land of the Harsit River which carries effects of the sea to the land but the climate of this area is moist, cold, with high water shortage during vegetation period so similar to the continental climate. In this study, 44 sample areas were established within fir stand locations. In all areas soil samples were taken from their soil profiles. Soil size particle (clay percent, silt percent, sand percent) analyses, organic matter percent, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), available water capacity (AWC) analyses were carried out in the collected soil samples. The study results have demonstrated a relation between fir growth and some ecological properties of their sites.