An investigation on the relationship between saline soil and halophytic plants in semi arid region (Acıçay stream)

Abstract

The main objectives of this study were to compare soil properties and plants of both sides of the Acıçay River and evaluate relationships between salinity and landscape positions under the condition of semi-arid climate. Right side of the Acıçay River lands has been generally used for agriculture crops, while left side lands used for grassland. Soil properties and plant composition differentiate in the right and left sides of Acıçay River in Çankırı city which is chosen for a research area. The change on salinity and topography affect directly vegetation and variety of land use. With the aim of determining soil-plant interaction ,salinity has been determined in the plant-root area from two different depths (0-20cm-20-40cm) in the right and and left sides of Acıçay River and floristic composition is introduced in this region. Salt ratio in upper soil increases when you go near to the watershed. Salt and EC values of soils are measured high in left sides. Besides salt and EC values decline as you come up the slope through the stream. As a result of assessing plant samples which are collected at the time of land study, belonging 26 family 70 species and 110 taxon (including species and sub-species ) have been ascertained.The richest families in the research area are Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae ve Chenopodiaceae. The ratio of the five of the richest family to the total species is 56.37. The ratio of the species dispersed in the rest 21 family is 43.63%.