Quantifying and integrating ecosystem services in forest management planning

Sustainable management of forest ecosystems increasingly depends on robust methodological frameworks that integrate the quantification, valuation, and spatial assessment of ecosystem services (ES). This study develops and applies a systematic approach to assess the biophysical potential, economic value, and spatial distribution of key ES of wood and non-wood production, carbon sequestration, habitat for biodiversity, water production, erosion prevention, climate regulation and forest therapy in the Konyaaltı State Forest, Türkiye. Biophysical assessments were conducted using stand-level inventory data, expert knowledge, yield models, and species-specific habitat suitability analysis. The economic values were estimated through market price and value transfer methods and the spatial distribution of ES was mapped using GIS-based spatial analysis. The results indicate that average wood production (101.73 m3/ha) exceeds the national average (72 m3/ha), while mean carbon storage (122 tC/ha) reflects a medium capacity for climate regulation. Biodiversity habitat potential, evaluated for 17 target species, ranges from low to medium, and 37 % of the landscape contributes to air quality regulation by reducing dust resuspension. Multifunctionality analysis reveals that 58 % of the area has low ES capacity, 31 % moderate, 1 % high, and 11 % negligible. The total economic value of the assessed services is estimated at approximately US$828 million (US$8,617/ha). These results underscore the importance of ecosystem service assessments and demonstrate a foundational approach for strengthening ecosystem-based, multi-objective forest planning through the explicit integration of biophysical models, economic valuation, and spatial analysis.