Changing of dry matter yield, botanical composition and forage qualities in different altitude and aspects in Kosk Village, Erzurum

This study was conducted in Erzurum Köşk village in 2016. In three range sites, site I have 2406 m, site II 2306 m, site III 2068 m altitudes. Site III was closer to permanent settlement area than the other sites. Botanical composition and dry matter yield were determined and soil and plant samplings were made for some physical and chemical soil properties analyzing and forage quality parameters such as crude protein, ADF and NDF in different rangeland sites. According to the results of this study, the highest dry matter yield was in site III, and the lowest was in site II, Average dry matter yield was higher in south aspects than north aspects. In botanical composition average grasses ratio was, 27.55%, legumes 19.95%, and other families was 53.97% in site I. In site II, grass, legume and other families ratios were 36.78%, 13.87% 48.76%; in site III these values were 29.66%, 41.27%, 29.14% respectively. The average of canopy coverage ratio was 36.28 %, the highest canopy coverage ratio in site I, the lowest was in site II, The average of rangeland quality degree was 37.59% the highest was in site III, the lowest was in site I Based on the results of this study, the rangeland in Site II, near to watering point was used more heavily compared to the other rangeland sites. Keywords: Rangeland, aspect, altitude, dry hay yield, botanical composition, hay quality