Previous PageTable Of ContentsNext Page

2. Research Methodology

A general investigative visit of Kozak was organized at the beginning of this study, during which time interviews were conducted with the villagers. The general state of the villages of the region was examined. In addition to the villages themselves, natural Stone Pine forests and Stone Pine afforestation areas were also toured. Interviews were conducted with the town mayor, the Forest District Directorate staff, the Agriculture Town Directorate staff, and officials from cooperatives in Kozak. Guided by the findings of this preliminary study, eight villages were chosen for further fieldwork using Form “H.” The title chosen for the study focusing on Stone Pine cultivation is as follows: “What are your views of Stone Pine cultivation, and are you satisfied with the system?

Other sources of livelihood in the region besides Stone Pines are granite mines, animal husbandry, agriculture, apiculture (beekeeping), and sawmills. These income sources are very important for villages where Stone Pine afforestation sites are still young and premature. The region’s social life also has a distinctive structure. Therefore, the study also posed another question in order to learn about this socioeconomic structure: “What are your thoughts and ideas about the Kozak region?” Positive and negative views of the region and its Stone Pine cultivation were compiled using Form “H,” with some individuals proposing solutions to the problems mentioned. In addition, working group studies were organized with individuals in an open discussion environment after the completion of the Form “H” studies in all villages. The results of the studies were divided into two main groupings, namely “General information about the villages where the studies were conducted” and “Information learned from Form ‘H’ studies related to Stone Pine production.”

General data on the villages chosen and the groups which participated in Form “H” studies in these villages is given in Table 2.1. The table also gives data on the staff of the forest district directorate who were interviewed, but this information is not included in the grand total.

During the study, managers of regional cooperatives and officials from the Bergama Chamber of Trade and the Agriculture Town Directorate were also interviewed, and the data gathered thereby is reflected in the results.

The study also examined the state of the regional service sector, as well as its socioeconomic structure, and also collected data on education, health, transportation, communications and infrastructure.

In addition, the study also explored the ideas and views of the locals regarding the region’s natural resources as well as such environmental factors as fire and erosion. When we consider that the locals’ main source of livelihood depends upon nature in general and the Stone Pines in particular, the importance of weighing these factors properly will be better understood.

In addition to Kozak’s own production, the study also examined national and international Stone Pine production in order to understand the importance of the region’s socioeconomic situation and the Stone Pines’ contribution to the local economy.

Village or Group

Sex

Average Age

    No. of participants

Forest District Directorate personnel *

Male

33.2

5 (4 chiefs, 1 director)

Çamavlu

Male

51.4

17

Çamavlu

Female

32.8

10

Yukarıbey

Male

47.1

10

Aşağıbey

Male

43.4

8

Aşağıbey

Female

17.7

11

Kıranlı

Male

40.2

12

Kıranlı

Female

37.6

24

Demircidere

Male

56.8

12

Demircidere

Female

44.5

13

Terzihaliller

Male

47.9

29

Karaveliler

Male

60.1

14

Karaveliler

Female

17.5

25

Kaplan

Male

48.1

11

Grand total

Male and Female

41.93

196

Table 2.1 General Information on Form “H” Working Groups

*Not included in the grand total.

Previous PageTable Of ContentsNext Page