Activities of nomadic animal breeding and pastoralism in Silifke (Mersin): Example of Kavra Mountai̇n

Silifke which forms the research field, is a county of Mersin city, and it is 2945,5km² in area. In South of the county,there is Mediterranean Sea, in east of the county, there is Erdemli county, in West of the county, there are Mut and Gülnar Counties and in its North, there is city of Karaman. Except for the area of The Göksu Deta, The ground is mountainous and rugged. In thefield, we see features of marine climate. Annual average temperature is 19,2 C° and annual average amount of rain is 569,2 mm. River of Göksü is the county's most important source for drinking and farming. İn The Delta of Göksu, we see alluvial soil and in mountainous areas we see red mediterranean soil and Brown forest soil. The most common flora consists of Ponderesa forests and bushes which are maki plants. In rural areas of the research field, the most important source of living is farming and animal breeding. Because the mountainous and rugged areas aren't suitable for farming, we see more examples of animal breeding in these areas. İn the field, Instead of nomadic breeding which was more common in the past, people are now focusing on semi nomadic breeding and breeding of livestock animals. The operations of animal breeding are more likely to be semi-nomadic and, the nearby areas of the villages( higher areas ) are used as pasture. The villages and lower and some sheltered areas are used for overwintering. The mountain of Kavra which is one the biggest elevations in the county, and its surroundings are used by villagers of Gündüzler, Yenisu , Karahacılı and Kargıcak. In the mountain and its surroundings, there are people who deal with only animal breeding and there are people who deal with both animal breeding and agriculture and there people who deal with only agricultere. The most important reasons of animal breeding in surrounding areas of Kavra Mountain are that the flora of the region is maki and also people deal with grain farming to support animal breeding. In some areas, because the surface is rugged and the soil is limited for agriculture, people headed for animal breeding. As well as the nomadic people and semi-nomadic people ," Sarıkeçililer", one of the nomadic tribes of "Yörük" people also use this field for overwintering. Keywords: Mersin, Silifke, Maki flora, nomadic animal breeding, Gündüzler Village, Mountain of Kavra, pasture, areas for overwintering, farming, animal breeding.