DETERMINATION OF VEGETATION AND SOIL PROPERTIES OF THE FLOODPLAIN RANGELAND IN THE CONTINENTAL CLIMATE ZONE OF TURKEY

Abstract

This study was conducted in May 2017 to investigate vegetation and soil properties of a floodplain rangeland, which is located in the continental climate zone of Turkey. In the study, vegetation surveys were performed in the rangeland areas with two different slope degrees (0-1% and 2-5%), and the Modified Wheel Point method with loop was used in vegetation measurements. A total of 23 different species belonging to 20 genera from 9 families, were identified in the rangeland where vegetation surveys were conducted. It was determined that 2 of the identified species were decreaser, 2 of them were increaser, and 19 of them were invasive species. The plant cover ratio of the studied rangeland area where the study was conducted covered with the plant was 76.87%. In general, the ratio of the Poaceae in the botanical composition of the examined rangeland was 35.32%, the ratio of legumes was 28.60%, and the ratio of other families was 36.08%. The examined rangeland soils had medium structure, mild alkaline character, and no salinity problem. It was determined that organic matter, available phosphorus and potassium content of the rangeland's moderately calcareous soils were higher in the base areas than in the slightly inclined areas.