Comparative analysis of forestry systems in the United States and Turkey: Practices, technologies, and challenges

Abstract

The current study provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of forestry systems in the United States (US) and Turkey, covering various aspects such as forest ownership, natural resources planning, fire management, technological applications, silviculture, forestry education and challenges faced by each country. The findings mainly stems from the author’s first-hand investigations, field observations, and experiences during a postdoctoral research period in the US from 2022 to 2024. Additionally, a variety of information sources, including US forest plans, publications from the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service, relevant peer-reviewed literature, and open-source data, was used in the work employing the verbal analysis method. While certain similarities emerge, particularly in technology utilization and the historical development of forestry education, significant disparities are evident in fire management strategies, land ownership structure, silvicultural practices, and forest planning approaches between the countries. These differences can be attributed to unique environmental and historical conditions, varying economic development levels, and distinct regulatory legislations. The outcomes of this study suggest that there are valuable forestry practices that each country can learn or adopt from the other, emphasizing the potential for mutual exchange and improvement in natural resources management practices.