Analysis of spatial variation of plant species richness-diversity and soil properties: Sample of Cankiri-Yaprakli

Meadows and pastures are important for biodiversity and they are also a part of a source of genetic resources for cultivated plants and they are providing shelter for wild animals, they also have the duty on protecting the nature against soil eresion. In this study, we aimed to investigate the interactions between plant diversity and richness indices and soil characteristics in semi-dry pastures in çankırı Yapraklı district of Çankırı Province. In the study area, soil and plant sampling were carried out at a total of 180 sampling points in 1 m² (1x1) quadrats within the vegetation period of 2016. Shannon-Wiener and Simpson variety indexes were used to determine plant species richness and diversity of the area. In the soil samples, the texture, bulk density (BD), soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), lime content (CaCO3), soil organic matter (SOM) content and total nitrogen (TN) analyses were performed. The soil of the research area is characteristicly mostly rich with sandly clay loam, clay loam and clay. As a result of the correlation analysis between Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity indices and general soil characteristics of the area; with Simpson diversity index, sand (r=-0.322, P<0.01) was found to have a strong negative relationship at moderate, clay (r=0.288, P<0.01), pH content (r=.768, P<0.01), dust (r=0.165, P<0.05) were found to have a strong positive relationship at moderate. Surface maps are created by that relationship. 2018, 88 pages Key words: Çankırı- Yapraklı, Plant Species Richness–Diversity, Soil Properties, Spatial Variation