Determining the Efficiency of Rangeland Rehabilitation Studies in Hasanlar Village Located in the Humid-Mesothermal Climate Zone

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the current status of the rangeland, whose vegetation was completely renewed in 2013, as of 2021. During the 7-8 years after the rehabilitation study, the proportions of the species in the vegetation changed significantly, although there was no significant change in the soil cover value of the plants. Soil coverage rate of pasture vegetation is 98.20%; the ratios of decreaser, increaser and invasive species are 13.14%, 5.39% and 81.77%, respectively. It has been determined that the stubble height remaining after grazing in the pasture is less than 50% of the average vegetation height, all accessible parts of the pasture are grazed, the reproductive plant parts of the decreasing and increasing plant species are very few, and they can develop under the protection of thorny plants that animals cannot reach. It has been also determined that all herbaceous plants except thorny plants are grazing at varying rates in the pasture. According to all these data, it was concluded that the pasture was intensively grazed. Perennial grass (Lolium perenne) with the highest rate and the most common decreaser in vegetation with a frequency of 3.97% and a frequency of 80%, while the invasive species is a wild blackberry (Rubus sp.) with a rate of 46.54% and a frequency of 90%. According to their rate and distribution in vegetation, forage plant species that can be preferred in all kinds of seeding operations in pastures in this and similar ecologies; Lolium perenne, Dactylis glomerata, Poa pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium fragiferum and Trifolium repens, the most important shrub species to be controlled is wild blackberry. The employment of goats, which preferably graze blackberries and other shrubs and even other herbaceous plants that cattle do not prefer, can be recommended as the most economical and environmentally friendly weed control method. Otherwise, vegetation should be renewed at regular intervals to protect the pasture from invasive species.