Biotech Studies 2016, Vol 25, Num, 2     (Pages: 174-178)

Rangeland Health and Ecological Site Classification of the Rangeland with Grazed Different Type Animals

Şule ERKOVAN 1 ,M. Kerim GÜLLAP 1 ,H. İbrahim ERKOVAN 1 ,Ali KOÇ 2

1 Atatürk Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, Erzurum
2 Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, Eskişehir
DOI : 10.21566/tarbitderg.281885 - Rangelands can renew itself or go backwards depending on the ecological factors. Rangelands exhibit positive, negative or neutral depending on using properties. The objective of this study was to determine rangeland health and ecological site distribution of grazed rangeland with cattle, sheep and mixed stocking in the Kargapazari Mountain Erzurum province. In the investigated rangelands, vegetation, soil and hydrology properties differed significantly. As a result of this study, it is possible to state that uncontrolled grazing with sheep gives more damage to vegetation and related resources than uncontrolled grazing with cattle in highland steppe rangelands where short grasses are dominated. But forbs of sheep taken under pressure should not be ignored. In conclusion, for sustainable use of steppe rangeland, providing suitable grazing season and grazing capacity, sheep and cattle herds can graze as mixture. Keywords : Ecological site, vegetation, soil, hydrology