Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
EKOLOJI, cilt.18, sa.72, ss.74-80, 2009 (SCI-Expanded)
In the present study, the effect of goat browsing on the growth form of seven maquis species (Olea europea, Phillyrea latfiolia, Pistacia terebinthus, Myrtus communis, Quercus coccifera, Juniperus oxycedrus and Arbutus andrachne) in the understorey of Cupressus sempervirens forest of Koprulu Kanyon National Park was examined. Seven goat folds were determined within the study area. How the growth form of individuals of these maquis species change with increasing the distance to folds was studied using a 'grazing index' which is a function of the measurements of height and crown diameter of plants. Of the selected species, a significant negative correlation between the distance to fold and grazing index was found only in J. oxycedrus. The reason of this relationship was that individuals ofj. oxycedrus were becoming shorter towards goat folds. It is suggested that such a case may arise from an increase of preference of individuals ofj. oxycedrus by goats around the folds that plant abundance is relatively less. Since it is known that an optimal grazing pressure may increase biological diversity in maquis vegetation, it is inevitable to apply sustainable grazing management strategies in these ecosystems. It is possible to detect the level of goat browsing with long-term monitoring studies depended on plant growth forms.