Determination of botanical composition and hay yield on different altitutes rangeland in Alanya

The natural vegetation of an area, as the natural design that is formed by the conditions of that area is of vital importance for it protects the soil and the water, and for it is sustenance and source of life for living beings. Rangelands, part of natural vegetation, have particular importance because they are the fields that provide feed which is the basis of animal production. In this study, rangelands plant communities and productivity of these communities determined with different elevations were studied and the effect oft he elavation on them were examined. For this purpose, 18 sample fields were set and protected by fences on Sarımurt, Yolunoluk and Ağalan natural rangelands in Alanya. Vegetation analysis carried out for determining the quantitative property of vegetation in areas which were protected. Quadrat method were used in this study. The objective of this study was to determine the botanical composition by weight of rangelands, green and dry yield of, grasses, legumes and other plant families and the capacity of grazing.As a result of plant sampling in the summer of 2016, 11 plant taxa belonging to 5 species were identified. 5 of these plant taxa belong to grasses, 2 of them belong to legumes and 4 of them belong to the other species. As a result of vegetation analysis according to the weight of the area it was determined that 92.2% of the average botanical composition was composed of wheat, 1.6% of legumes and 6.1% of other family members. It was determined that the most common species in the study area were the Italian kelp tails (Phleum subulatum) from wheatgrass. For 160 days of average grazing period (beginning of May, mid October), the grazing capacities are qualified for; 12 animal units (AU) in Sarımurt Rangeland, 3 AU in Yolunoluk Rangeland, 18 AU in Ağalan Rangeland. Additionally in total 9 soil samples which were devided by 3 samples per rangeland, were gathered for determining some soil properties on those rangelands. Texture, pH and electrical conductivity analysis have been conducted on each sample of soil. As a result of some analysis, pH is 7,82 and Eİ (Electrical conductivity) is 308 on Sarımurt, pH is7,46 and Eİ is 277 on Yolunoluk, pH is 7,75 and Eİ is 229 on Ağalan rangelands and soil textures of them are light clay and sandy clay soil.