Stand type
The obtained findings showed that the stand type was effective on the species distribution and habitat preferences. There are 54 different stand types11Explanation of stand types specifics is given in Appendix 1. in the area. Mab3 stand type is the stand type with the most determinations with 304 records. This was followed by stand types BArÇk with 232 records, BÇk with 225 records and BÇkAr with 220 records (Figure 3-4).
Figure 3. The total number of records observed in stand types.
Figure 4. Distributions of determined species by stand types
As can be seen in Figure 4, the stand type preferred by each species varies. The wild boar was determined 91 times in the Çkc2 stand type, 80 times in MÇkbc3 stand type and 3 77 times in Mab stand type. The European hare was seen 140 times in BArÇk stand, 93 times BÇk stand and 85 times in Çkcd1 stand. The red fox, which is the third densest species in its area, was observed 66 times in BÇkAr stand, 62 times in Mab3 stand and 19 times in Çkd/bc2 stand. The stand types in which the other species detected in the area are mostly observed are as follows; gray wolf 101 times in MAb3 stand, golden jackal 54 times in Ma3 stand, red deer 66 times in Z-2 stand, beech marten 30 times in Çkcd1 stand, European badger 16 times in Çzd1 stand, brown bear 20 times in Mçkbc stand, Eurasian otter 73 times in Bk-1 stand, jungel cat 64 times in Bk-1 stand, wild cat 7 times in Mab3 stand, and Eurasian lynx 4 times in BArÇk, BArÇk2, Çkd/bc2, BÇkAr, ArMab2 stands (Figure 4).
It is thought that two important factors are effective in the preference of different stand types in the same area by the species. The first of these is the predator-prey relationship. For example, MAb3, which is the stand type most frequently observed by the grey wolf, is also among the stands where it is mostly seen in wild boar and red deer, which are its most important prey. Similarly, there is an absolute harmony between the stands where the Eurasian lynx is observed the most and the areas where the European hare, which is its most important prey, is observed the most. This shows that hunters tend to prefer their preys selected stand selection. Another factor affecting the stand preferences of wild animals is the seasons. The nutrient regime, which changes depending on the season, causes the species to turn to different stands. While many species prefer areas with less snow cover in winter, this preference changes towards safer but nutrient-rich stands in summer. In this regard, Dussault et. al. (2005) states that wild animals prefer coniferous stands as the best habitat type in which they avoid deep snow cover or predator pressure in winter, whereas these stands have very low food availability. In such a situation, wild animals are exposed to other limiting factors and turn to different stand types to access food. Stands, which are rich in food and have low predatory effects, are preferred more in spring and summer than in winter.
As a result of the observations and evaluations made in general, it can be said that the stand preferences of the species determined in the study area in habitat use are mostly degraded and mixed stands, and pure and protected stands are less preferred.