This study aimed at pointing out the environmental importance of road construction in a semi-arid high mountainous area on soil erosion and some important soil properties throughout the forest road. In total 60 soil samples in both forest and open area were collected from topsoil (0-20 cm) of a cut slope, fill slope, and control points along with a forest road route. The soil properties were determined in the laboratory and the soil loss amounts were determined by way of an Allgemeine Boden Abtrags Gleichung (ABAG) simulation model.As a result, the road construction phase significantly changed (p<0.001) the soil erosion trend. Annual soil loss amounts (t/ha/yr.) determined cut slope > fill slope > control in both forest and open areas. Consequently, road construction efforts significantly affected topsoil loss and some soil properties such as organic matter, available water-holding capacity, and bulk density. According to the created scenario, under the same slope (68.72%) and slope length (3.26 m) conditions, the highest soil loss trend was in cut slope, which was significantly different (p<0.001) from fill slope and control in forested and open areas.

In recent years, Turkey has turned its attention to alternative energy sources rather than fossil fuels. The Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey has steep mountains with hilly topography and has large potential in terms of energy production with run‐of‐the‐river hydropower plants (RHPPs). In this study, the effects of two RHPPs on some water quality parameters were examined in the Solaklı stream watershed. This research was conducted over the course of 12 months (January–December 2014). In total, 12 sampling points were selected and various water quality parameters, such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solid, chloride and salinity, were monitered at each point. Statistically, significant changes occured in water quality parameters such as total suspended solids, pH and temperature. In particular, total suspended solids ranged from 10 to 440 mg/L.These results suggest that the RHPP negatively effect water quality and quantity in the main stream in both the operational and constructional phases.

This paper researches top-soil loss depends on Anatolian black pine stands by different canopy density. The stand profile is playing an important role on the living and non-living environment in the ecosystem and it affects directly canopy density (CD), leaf area index and silvicultural treatments and indirectly affects the soil properties. Within the scope of the study, three different canopy densities (60%, 80%, 90%) were taken and the stand profiles were determined by an 20x20 meter sample plots representing the stand. All sample plots were selected under the same habitat conditions (Slope: 5%, Aspect: Northwest, Elevation: 1070 m) to estimate top soil loss model. As a result, the amount of top soil loss was determined as 0.052 t/ha/yr in 60% CD, 0.037 t/ha/yr in 80% CD and 0.017 t/ha/yr in 90% CD respectively. In addition, multiple regression model (Linear, R 2 =0.96) was developed to estimate annual top soil loss depend on DBH (diameter of breast height), and tree height. On the other hand, simple regression model (Quadratic, R 2 =0.98) using tree height variable was improved. Furthermore, more advanced models can be developed in the future by using the stand parameters in different ecological conditions and slope gradients.