In the Bahçeköy Forest Management Directorate, the recreational potential of forest ecosystems comes first. Proximity to the city and the fact that it is already preferred by people are the driving forces behind this situation. After recreation, provisioning services come to the fore. Products such as bay leaves, strawberry tree fruit, chestnuts, and pine cones are considered for their production potential. However, collecting these products economically is generally unattractive due to low efficiency. Additionally, local mushroom species like truffles and oyster mushrooms exist, but they cannot be utilized efficiently due to unplanned collection and low awareness. Beekeeping activity, especially chestnut honey production, is in demand due to proximity to the region but is done as a hobby and production is not at a commercial level. Urbanization pressure is increasing, felt particularly around the 3rd bridge road and Belgrad Forest.
Vulnerable Forest Ecosystem Service Areas
1. Alibey Dam Basin (Kemerburgaz and Fenertepe Forest Management Chiefdoms)
Located in northwestern Istanbul, the Kemerburgaz and Fenertepe Forest Management Chiefdoms encompass the forested basin that feeds the Alibey Dam—one of the city’s key drinking water sources. In addition to their role in water provision, these forests host important habitats with high biodiversity value. However, deforestation, land fragmentation, and declining water quality are increasing the vulnerability of this area and pose a strategic threat to Istanbul’s water security.
Climate change further intensifies this vulnerability. According to projections, average temperatures in the region are expected to rise by 3.3 °C, and precipitation is projected to decline by 15–25 mm between 2070 and 2100. These changes will directly impact the hydrological cycle, with species such as Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto) expected to be significantly affected.
2. Urban Forests Under Recreational Pressure (Kemerburgaz, Kurtkemeri, İstanbul, Sarıyer, Bentler and Fenertepe Forest Management Chiefdoms)
These forest chiefdoms, located along Istanbul’s northern belt, include some of the most visited urban forests in the city, including Belgrad Forest. Due to their proximity to the city center, these areas attract thousands of visitors on weekends and holidays for hiking, cycling, running, picnicking, and nature observation. However, excessive recreational use beyond the area’s carrying capacity has led to soil erosion, vegetation degradation, waste accumulation, fire risk, and stress on local fauna.
Unauthorized trails opened by foot and vehicle traffic fragment habitats and disrupt natural quiet zones, undermining ecological function. In some areas, demands for construction and commercial use further threaten the balance between recreation and conservation.
Climate change compounds these pressures. Between 2070 and 2100, the region is projected to experience a temperature increase of 3.2 °C and a decline in precipitation of 15–20 mm. These shifts are expected to strain the forest moisture regime, making species such as Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) particularly vulnerable.
