Turkish Journal of Forestry (Nov 2017)
Comparison of vegetation properties on the protected and grazed rangeland areas: The case of Kocapınar Rangeland
Abstract
The objective of this study is to determine the some vegetation properties in Kocapınar Rangeland of Kozağacı Highlands of Davraz Mountain (Isparta) during 2011-2012. The measurements were carried out for a period of two years during the months of June and September of the grazed and ungrazed rangeland areas. “Line intercept (transect)” method was used for the determination of plant-covered area whereas “quadrate method” was used to determine dry forage yield. A total of 30 families and 140 plant species were identified in the rangeland areas. The families that have the most taxa in the site are Asteraceae with 25 taxa, Lamiaceae with 14 taxa, Brassicaceae and Fabaceae with 12 taxa. With respect to the botanic composition of the vegetation of the research area, total ratio of Poaceae family, Fabaceae family, and the plant species belonging to the other families were found as 60.9 % and 58.7 %, 14.4 % and 18.0 %, 24.7 % and 23.3 % in the grazed and ungrazed areas, respectively. The ratio of plant covered area was found as on average 24.3 % in the grazed area and 30.5 % in the ungrazed area. Besides, the range quality degree, which was on average 3.478 in the grazed areas, was found as 3.787 in the ungrazed ones. Above-ground biomass proved to be on average 208.24 kg/da in the grazed area and 256.49 kg/da in the ungrazed area, while the under-ground biomass was determined to be 347.88 kg/da and 454.41 kg/da, respectively. The grazing capacity for an area of 1 ha was found as on average 0.39 animal units in the grazed areas and 0.48 animal units in the ungrazed ones.
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