The project titled "Determination of Flame Resistance in Kastamonu Humid Region Plant Communities with Pyro-Ecophysiological Properties," prepared under the leadership of Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Nursema Aktepe, a faculty member in the Department of Biology at Kastamonu University Faculty of Science, has been awarded support under the TÜBİTAK 1002-A Fast Support Program. 

The project, which highlights the increasing forest fire risks in Kastamonu and surrounding provinces in recent years and the pressures of climate change on ecosystems, aims to evaluate the flammability characteristics of plant species found in humid region ecosystems at the leaf level through pyro-ecophysiological parameters.

 The scientific data obtained from the project is expected to contribute to understanding fire ecology and plant adaptation strategies, as well as to the development of ecosystem-based fire management strategies.

The project will receive a grant of 93,830 TL over 12 months, and two undergraduate students will serve as scholarship recipients. In this way, it is aimed to support the participation of young researchers in scientific studies at an early stage and their academic development.

Our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hamdi Topal, made the following assessment regarding the project:

We are closely following the work of our university faculty members in producing scientific solutions to regional problems. The effects of forest fires and climate change are an issue of importance not only for Kastamonu but for our entire country. This project, which has been approved for funding under the leadership of our esteemed Dr. Nursema Aktepe, will benefit both scientific knowledge production and yield applicable results in fire management. Our university will continue to add value to its region and country thru such projects."

Our Rector expressed his gratitude to the President of the Council of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and the members of the Council for their support of high-quality and qualified studies in higher education. Our Rector also thanked TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın for their approach that encouraged our University in the project studies.