The project titled "Chemical Determinants of Plant Flammability in Mediterranean Ecosystems: Analysis of Phenolic Fingerprints," led by Assist. Prof. Dr. Nursema Aktepe, a faculty member in the Biology Department of Kastamonu University's Faculty of Science, has been awarded support under the TÜBİTAK 3501 – Career Development Program.  

The project, which will last 24 months, will be carried out with a budget of 1 million 220 thousand 944 TL. In the project, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özkan Evcin, a faculty member of our University's Faculty of Forestry, will serve as the researcher, while Prof. Dr. Çağatay Tavşanoğlu, a faculty member of Hacettepe University, will serve as the advisor. As part of the project, it is also planned to support one doctoral, one master's, and one undergraduate as scholarship recipients.

In the project, it is planned to examine the relationship between the chemical structures and flammability characteristics of different plant species commonly found in Mediterranean ecosystems. In this context, the chemical properties formed by phenolic compounds found in plants will be evaluated using the "phenolic fingerprint" approach.  

It is aimed to determine which plant species and which chemical properties are more decisive on flammability with the data obtained from the research. The study is expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of the chemical properties of plants' behavior in the face of fire and to the field of fire ecology.  

The project is expected to yield scientific data for subsequent fire risk assessments and fire management research. 

As part of the project, involving students at different academic levels in the research process will also support young researchers in gaining scientific research experience and developing their work in the field of fire ecology.