ISSN 1067-4136, Russian Journal of Ecology, 2007, Vol. 38, No. 6, pp. 436–439. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2007. Original Russian Text © V. Atamov, E. Aktoklu, 2007, published in Ekologiya, 2007, Vol. 38, No. 6, pp. 467–476. 436 In Turkey, pastures account for 28% of farmland (Türkiye…, 1978), and 20 % of them have been dis- turbed because of irrational use and unfavorable eco- logical conditions (Genckan et al., 1990). Pasture pro- ductivity depends on environmental factors as well as on the species that constitute their vegetation (Genc- kan, 1974). Therefore, before planning the use of any pasture, it is necessary to study specific features of its botanical composition. The diversity of soil types in the region accounts for the presence of different plant for- mations in its plant cover, with the most widespread vegetation types being forest, maquis (evergreen shrub thickets), phrygana, steppe, meadows, and marshes. MATERIAL AND METHODS Studies were performed in the steppe on the Amic Plain (Selam field) between 1999 and 2000 (one or two geobotanical trips per month). Plant samples were taken from steppe associations that are widespread in this region: Ephemeretum, Petrosimonia brachiatae– Ephemeretum, Cressa creticae–Hordeumetum miriniu- mae, Alhagi manniferae–Hordeumetum miriniumae, Prosopis farctae–Hordeumetum miriniumae, Ammi visnacae–Hordeumetum miriniumae, and Cressetum creticae. Phytomass stock and structure by fractions (grasses, legumes, and mixed herbs) were determined as described (Coupland et al., 1974; Vagina and Satochina, 1976; Titlyanova et al., 1988). Samples were taken from 1-m 2 test plots five times per month and plants were identified at the species level (Zohary, 1973; Walter, 1978; Kürschner et al., 1995). Soil samples 0.25 m 2 in area and 50 cm deep were taken in areas occupied by the above plant associations to determine soil pH and the contents of carbonates, exchangeable sodium, and exchangeable potassium. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Data on the climate in the study region are presented as a diagram (figure). It shows that the driest months are July and August, with precipitation amounting to only 4.8 and 4.6 mm, respectively (Guner et al., 2000). Accordingly, no rain was observed during our field stud- ies. The largest amounts of precipitation are characteris- tic of December (165.3 mm), January (158.4 mm), Feb- ruary (155.5 mm), and March (160.9 mm). Soils of this region have certain specific features. Soil samples analyzed in this study (0–50 cm) had a low humus content (1.01–1.69%) and pH 7.56–7.71 (Table 1); the SHORT COMMUNICATIONS Productivity and Phytosociological Properties of Steppe Pastures on the Amic Plain (Hatay, Turkey) V. Atamov a and E. Aktoklu b a Department of Biology, Science and Art Faculty, Harran University, anliurfa, Turkey e-mail: vhatemov@yahoo.com b Department of Biology, Science and Art Faculty, M.K.U., Antakia–Hatay, Turkey Received October 30, 2006 DOI: 10.1134/S1067413607060100 Key words: halophytic steppe, pasture, phytosociology, Amic Plain, Hatay, Turkey. S ¸ I II III IV V VI VII VIIIIX X XI XII Months 170 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Temperature, °C Precipitation, mm Diagram of climate in the study area.