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Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to understand quantitative and qualitative characteristics of deadwood in recreational forests.Area of study: Belgrade forest in the North of Istanbul city (Turkey).Material and methods: The data has been collected through a stratified sampling scheme that has randomly located 50 clusters formed by 3 sample plots each (150 sample plots).Main results: The results show an average deadwood volume of 16.49 m3 ha-1 (81.5% in logs, 16.4% in snags, 2.1% in stumps). The highest volume of deadwood is in oldest forests (age over 180 years) with an average value of 20.39 m3 ha-1, followed by forests with 61-120 years with 15.77 m3 ha-1. Concerning forest management objectives, the results show that average deadwood volume is 13.66 m3 ha-1 in the forest section managed for water resource conservation and 21.14 m3 ha-1 in the forest section managed for recreational purposes.Research highlights: Deadwood management in the recreational forests must consider both biodiversity conservation and recreational attractiveness of an area.Keywords: forest management; forest types; forest accessibility; stand age; wood decomposition rate.

The recreational value of a forest is related to the degree of naturalness that can be measured by considering qualitative and quantitative characteristics of deadwood and habitat trees. Forest user groups’ knowledge and opinions towards forest naturalness can support decision-makers in defining strategies. Among user groups, the literature shows a knowledge gap regarding the new generations’ perceptions and opinions related to biodiversity conservation. The aim of this study is to investigate young generations’ perception and preferences towards deadwood in forests. A questionnaire was developed and administrated online—in Italy and Türkiye—to a sample of university students under 25 years old. A total of 407 questionnaires (187 in Italy and 220 in Türkiye) were collected and processed. The results show that students from both countries have a high level of knowledge of deadwood and its role in forests. Most respondents perceive standing dead trees in forests to be aesthetically negative, while large lying deadwood is perceived as aesthetically positive. The attention of young generations towards issues related to biodiversity conservation is confirmed by the significance given in both countries to the management strategy that closely aligns with natural processes of mortality in undisturbed forests, where deadwood is allowed to remain without removal.