Page 212 - Çevre Şehir ve İklim Dergisi İngilizce - Özel Sayı

Use of Climate-Resilient Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands

Figure 13: 2021; Karaman, Ayrancı; model rangeland application site (From the
writer’s personal archive, 2021).
Among the successful species, steppe grass and four-winged saltbush are
shrub species belonging to the Chenopodiaceae family. These species are
widely used in countries with drought conditions, such as the United States,
Australia, and Iran, as part of rangeland improvement and erosion control
efforts. Steppe grass is a native species of Turkey, Eastern Siberia, Afghanistan,
China, India, Mongolia, Tibet, the Caucasus, and the countries of Turkistan. The
four-winged saltbush naturally grows in the arid areas of North America, from
Mexico to Canada (Acar, 2013; Le Houérou, 2000). These two species, resilient
against drought and salinity, are shrubs that remain green during the dry forage
period in rangelands and can extend the grazing period until the winter months.
The four-winged saltbush is rich in woody stems, can root up to a depth of 6
meters, and can grow up to 2.5 meters in height, while also having the ability to
spread widely. It contains 18% protein in its leaves and shoots, and its protein,
fat, and carbohydrate levels are comparable to those of alfalfa. In addition
to its natural habitats, this species has a wide soil adaptation, is resistant to
winter and drought conditions, and is considered a suitable alternative shrub
species for planned grazing (Cibils, 1998). It has been reported that saltbush
species (Atriplex sp.) are more suitable for highly saline and dry conditions
compared to known rangeland plants (Naidu and Harwood, 1997).
The studies conducted by the Central Anatolian Agricultural Research
Institute on the species, aimed at promoting its use in our country, under
the project ‘Investigation of Four-Winged Saltbush Adaptation and Forage
Potential,’ have been successful. It is known that this species is used in the
region (Konya-Karapınar area) to combat issues such as drought, wind erosion,
and desertification (Erdoğdu, 2013).

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Special Issue / 2024