The map of steppe vegetation of Eastern Transcaucasus region

1995 ◽  
pp. 42-50
Author(s):  
V. V. Atamov
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Monitoring ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
Bothriochloa Ischaemum ◽  
Steppe Vegetation ◽  
Mountain Steppes ◽  
Or Groups ◽  
Desert Steppes ◽  
Steppe Communities ◽  
Festuca Valesiaca

Mountain steppes play important role in vegetation cover of East Transcaucasus. They have some similar floristic and phytocoenotic features with North Caucasus and Black Sea plain steppes, but by origin they related to the South-West Asian steppes. The characteristic feature of these steppe communities (especially the middle-height mountain ones) is the participation of xerophytic cushion-like thorn-dwarf semishrubs and shrubs (species of gg. Acantholimon, Astragalus). The main subdivisions of the legend show altitudinal subtypes of steppe vegetation: piedmont and lowmountain sagebrush-bunchgrass desert steppes; piedmont and low-mountain herb-bunchgrass and bunchgrass true steppes; low– and middle–height mountain xerophytic dwarf semishrub and shrub and shrub-bunchgrass (tragacanth, thyme) steppes; middle-height and high-mountain herb-grass and grass-herb meadow steppes. The main mapping units are associations or groups of ecologically similar associations. The most wide-spread dominants of Transcaucasus steppes are Bothriochloa ischaemum, Stipa tirsa, S. pennata, S. pontica, S. capillata, Festuca valesiaca, etc. This map is of considerable significance as the areas of natural steppe vegetation are the models for ecological monitoring and the objects of study and protection.

FEATURES OF THE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION OF KARACHAY GOATS DEPENDING ON DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS OF BREEDING

2021 ◽  
pp. 114-122
Author(s):  
М.I. SELIONOVA ◽  
◽  
Т.V. МАМОNTOVA ◽  
А.–М.М. AYBAZOV
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
Potential Fecundity ◽  
Important Conclusion ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
The North ◽  
Mountain Zone ◽  
Goat Population

In recent years, goat breeds with a dairy-meat-wool or combined productivity type, represented by local breeds that are bred mainly in the foothills and mountainous regions of the North Caucasus, Altai, Tyva and Khakassia, have become increasingly widespread in Russia. The Karachay goat population is the most interesting for research, since in their breeding was aimed at obtaining animals with a number of unique productive characteristics and capable of producing the required outputs under the harsh conditions of the mountain and foothill zones of the Caucasus. In view of the limited research on these animals, in particular their reproductive functions, the aim of this study was to investigate the natural implementation of the reproductive function of the Karachay goats in different geographical areas of breeding. There are slight differences in some parameters of Karachay goat reproduction in high mountain zone (from 2000 m a.s.l.) and middle mountain zone (1000–1500 m a.s.l.). An important conclusion is that the recognized low fertility of the Karachay goats is not genetically determined. Analyzing the number of ovulations and fresh yellow bodies in the ovaries by laparoscopy using Karl Storz (Germany) endoscopic equipment, the authors found a potential fecundity of 3.1 (2.8 to 3.4).

BIRCH FORESTS WITH RHODODENDRON CAUCASICUM (ERICACEAE) IN THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN PART OF THE NORTH CAUCASUS

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-56
Author(s):  
D.S. Kessel ◽  
◽  
M.G. Gadzhiataev ◽  
Z.I. Abdurakhmanova ◽  
K.V. Shchukina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Dwarf Shrub ◽  
Forest Belt ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
Shrub Layer ◽  
The North ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Birch Forests

Birch forests from Betula litwinowii and Betula raddeana of the Northern macroslope of the Greater Caucasus with participation of Rhododendron caucasicum in the undergrowth are discussed in the article. The studies were carried out in 2017–2020 at the territory of Karachay-Cherkessia (Teberda State Natural Biosphere Reserve), Kabardino-Balkaria (Kabardino-Balkarian State High Mountain Reserve) and the Republic of Dagestan (Lak and Gunib districts, near the villages Burshi and Batsada). The characteristics of the growing conditions, analysis of the species and coenotic composition of communities are given. Birch forests with Rh. caucasicum are usually confined to the steep slopes of the northern exposure at the upper border of the forest belt, at an altitude of 1500–2800 m above sea level. The described communities can be divided into two groups depending on abundance and, consequently, influence Rh. caucasicum as an edificator. In the described communities there is a clear inverse correlation between the abundance of Rh. caucasicum with the projective cover of the grass-dwarf shrub layer. At the same time, the number of species in the grass-dwarf shrub layer doesn’t change significantly. The species composition of birch forests with the participation of Rh. caucasicum identified by us comprises 246 species of vascular plants. The herb-dwarf shrub layer is characterized by a relatively low species richness (on average, 26 species per sample plot). In these communities there are both characteristic forest species and representatives of subal-pine and, less often, alpine coenoses. Further study of communities of birch forests, which play sig-nificant water protection role, slope-holding and avalanche-barrier functions, is important for determining their current state, possible directions of changes, and assessing the need for protective measures in different regions.

Relationship Between the Number of Days with Thunderstorms and the Duration of Thunderstorms According to Visual and Instrumental Observations

2020 ◽  
pp. 30-36
Author(s):  
A.H. Adzhiev ◽  
G.V. Kupovykh ◽  
R.A. Gyatov ◽  
Z.M. Kerefova
Keyword(s):  
Observation Point ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
The North ◽  
Instrumental Observations ◽  
Weather Stations ◽  
Long Term Observation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Observation Period

For study the relationship between number of days with a thunderstorm recorded by weather stations and duration of thunderstorms in hours for these days, instrumental observations of the thunder direction-finding network of High-Mountain Geophysical Institute were used. We used data on thunderstorms in the North Caucasus for a long-term observation period in 2008-2019. Based on these data, they are grouped for various territories for analysis: the number of days with thunderstorms per month, per year, and the duration of thunderstorms per month and per year. A correlation analysis was performed between the number of days with thunderstorms and the duration of thunder-storms in hours according to LS 800 data. Thus, the dependence of the number of days with thunderstorms on the duration of thunderstorms is clearly traced - with an increase in the number of days with thunderstorms per year, the observation point increases in direct proportion to the duration of thunderstorms per year. With an increase in the number of days with thunderstorms on a given territory by one day, for the month in question, the duration of thunderstorms increases by 3.89 hours.

scholarly journals Features of ecological differentiation of halophytic, steppe and petrophytic vegetation in the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik (Odesa Oblast)

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-213
Author(s):  
D. V. Dubyna ◽  
T. P. Dziuba ◽  
L. P. Vakarenko ◽  
A. A. Ennan ◽  
H. M. Shykhaleeva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Carbonate Content ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Edaphic Factors ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Ecological Differentiation ◽  
Steppe Vegetation ◽  
Steppe Communities

Assessment of key environmental factors that influence vegetation distribution and formation of plant communities is one of the most important challenges in modern phytocenology. Nowadays, several bioindication systems are applied to determine ecological specificity of plant communities and to establish the leading factors for their environmental differentiation. The system most widely used in Europe, that of H. Ellenberg, contains a numerical score on 6 ecological factors. On the example of vegetation of the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik, Y. Didukh developed the synphytoindication method based on evaluation of phytocenoses with respect to 12 ecological factors: 7 edaphic factors and 5 climatic factors; the method determines a more accurate and complete presentation of the analysis. In the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik (Odesa Oblast) the largest area is covered with halophytic and steppe vegetation. Halophytic vegetation (Therosalicornietea, Festuco-Puccinellietea classes, Juncetea maritimi, Bolboschoenetea maritimi) predominated in the shoreline areas of the valley, whereas steppe (Festuco-Brometea) and petrophytic (Sedo-Scleranthetea) vegetation dominated on the slope sites. With the application of DCA-ordination and synphytoindication methods it was established that distribution of plant communities in the hyper-space of the environmental conditions was most strongly correlated with edaphic factors, whereas microclimatic (light intensity) and climatic (thermo-regime) conditions had somewhat less influence on their differentiation. Water regime and level of soil salinity served as key factors for syntaxa of halophytic vegetation; moisture variability and salt regime, as well as soil moisture and carbonate content were key factors for the steppe vegetation, and thermo-regime was the main factor for petrophytic-steppe and petrophytic vegetation. The "eco-spaces" of these groups largely overlap. Halophytic cenoses are characterized by quite wide ecological ranges by most ecological factors. Steppe communities show much less ecological diversity. In the valley of the liman, all the steppe communities were characterized by stenotopicity in relation to most ecological factors; these factors complexly determine the specificity and diversity of biotopes within the valley, which are unique and require protection and the taking of appropriate measures, depending on the changes in activity of one or another limiting factor. Nowadays, the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik is in a state of environmental disaster. The established relationships in ecological differentiation of plant communities will be applied to further monitoring of biodiversity state, preservation and possible restoration of vegetation types that were native for this unique territory.

scholarly journals Ecological and biomorphological features of the steppe communities of the central part of the Piedmont Crimea

2019 ◽  
pp. 65-77
Author(s):  
D. V. Epikhin ◽  
L. P. Vakhrusheva
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Cover ◽  
Steppe Vegetation ◽  
Mediterranean Origin ◽  
Steppe Communities ◽  
Floristic Classification ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
First Time

The article analyzes the syntaxonomic structure of the steppe communities of the central foothill part of the Crimea. They belong to the class Festuco-Brometea Br.-BI. et R.Tx., two orders, two unions and two sub-unions, five associations. For coenoflora at the level of associations of ecological-floristic classification, a detailed systematic, arealogical, ecological-biomorphological analysis was carried out for the first time. The most significant differences in the structure of the communities of steppe vegetation described on the basis of ecological-floristic classification are revealed. Significant participation in the formation of communities of species of Mediterranean origin and shrubs has been established. Moreover, unlike the rest of the communities, the associations of Asphodelinetum tauricae Didukh 1983 association are characterized by the dominance of these floral elements in their structure. The steppe communities of the studied region are characterized by significant xerophytization of the vegetation cover.

Mountain forest-steppe of South-East Altai and South-West Tuva

2014 ◽  
pp. 86-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. I. Makunina
Keyword(s):  
Mountain Forest ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Special Investigation ◽  
South West ◽  
South Siberia ◽  
Larch Forests ◽  
Steppe Communities ◽  
Steppe Belt ◽  
New Association

Some geobotanists, who studied arid mountain steppe landscapes in South-East Altai and South-West Tuva, mentioned the existing of small isolated larch forest areas at the height 2100–2400 m above sea level (Kuminova, 1960; Il’inskaya, 1980). We have made a special investigation of the vegetation of this rather peculiar forest-steppe. It can be called “high-mountain forest-steppe” by the altitudinal position and “cold forest-steppe” by the level of the heat. Such forest-steppe areas are found only in certain orographic conditions: they are confined to the slopes of rivers’ valleys. The foots of these slopes are situated at an altitude 1900–2000 m a. s. l. and the flat tops of the mountains – at 2400–2500 m a. s. l. Light slopes of the mountains are occupied by bunchgrass steppes, larch forests and meadow steppes are located on the shady slopes. Forest-steppe landscapesare confined to thealtitudinal rangeof the steppe belt, whichis divided intotwosubbelts: the lower with bunchgrass(moderately dry) steppes and theupper with cryophytic steppes. The boundaries betweensub-belts are at differentaltitudes in the SoutheastAltai andSouthwestTuva. In South-Eastern Altai bunchgrasssteppes are replaced by cryophytic ones at the height 2400–2500m a. s. l., so forest-steppes are completely included in bunchgrass steppe subbelt. In SouthwesternTuva this boundary is at 2200–2300 m a. s. l., so the lower parts of the light slopes are covered by bunchgrass steppes and the upper parts — by cryophytic steppes. The steppes in mountain forest-steppe of South-East Altai belong to alliance Helictotrichion schelliani, the Tuvinian ones — to alliance Festucion tschujensis. These two alliances are from order Helictotrichetalia shelliani, class Cleistogenetea squarrosae.Alliance Helictotrichion schelliani includes mountain steppes that mostly occur in semiarid bioclimatic regions of South Siberia and North Mongolia; forest-steppe plant communities of arid South-East Altai represent the “cold branch” of this alliance. The bunchgrass steppes belong to new association Potentillo sericeae–Agropyretum cristati,the meadow steppes — to new association Sileno repentis–Caricetum pediformis. In mountain forest-steppe of South-West Tuva 3 associations present alliance Festucion tschujensis which combines steppe communities with participation of cryopetrophytic species. Bunchgrass steppes are described as new association Oxytropido macrosemae–Agropyretum cristatae, cryophitic steppes – as new association Oxytropido eriocarpae–Poetum attenuatae, meadow steppes are included in association Artemisio phaeolepidis–Kobresietum myosuroidis. The larch forests belong to alliance Pachypleuro alpini–Laricion sibiricae (order Festuco ovinae–Laricetalia sibiricae, class Rhytidio rugosi–Laricetea sibiricae). Forests of association Swertio obtusae–Laricetum sibiricae are characteristic of South-East Altai, forests of association Artemisio rupestris–Laricetum sibiricae are common in South-West Tuva, forests of association Kobresio myosuroides–Laricetum sibiricae are recorded in both regions.

A review of plant diversity, vegetation, and phytogeography of the Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province in the Irano-Turanian region (northeastern Iran–southern Turkmenistan)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 249 (1) ◽  
pp. 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
FARSHID MEMARIANI ◽  
VAJIHE ZARRINPOUR ◽  
HOSSEIN AKHANI
Keyword(s):  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Vegetation History ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Infraspecific Taxa ◽  
Desert Steppes ◽  
Steppe Communities ◽  
Cliff Vegetation ◽  
Kopet Dagh

The Khorassan-Kopet Dagh (KK) floristic province is located in the northeastern parts of Iran and partly in southern Turkmenistan. The area is a transition zone and a corridor connecting different provinces of the Irano-Turanian region and also Hyrcanian montane forests of the Euro-Siberian region. The unique combination of Irano-Turanian species and also presence of a local center of endemism are evidence of a separate biogeographic entity. The complicated topography, high habitat heterogeneity and vegetation history are reasons for the development of diverse vegetation types. In order to achieve up-to-date information on the plant diversity and distribution patterns, a database was prepared using all floristic records from the area defined as KK. A total of 2576 species/infraspecific taxa belonging to 702 genera and 112 families of vascular plants have been reported from the area, 2498 of which occur within Iran. Altogether, 28 different distribution patterns are recognized among five major phytogeographical groups, including widespread, tri-regional, bi-regional, Euro-Siberian and Irano-Turanian patterns. Irano-Turanian elements, which make up the core flora of KK, are subdivided further into 14 distribution patterns. A significant number of species, i.e. 356 species (13.8%), are endemic to the area. The flora of KK is highly influenced by central Irano-Turanian elements. The main vegetation types of the area include Juniperus woodlands, Pistacia vera woodlands, some isolated enclaves of Hyrcanian forests and scrub, cliff vegetation, mountain steppe communities, semi-desert steppes, loess and marl vegetation, halophytic vegetation, aquatic and hygrophilous communities, and ruderal/invasive plant communities. There are several major threats to the ecosystems and biodiversity of the area. The areas presently protected do not cover all of the vegetation types, and therefore many threatened species are not safe.

scholarly journals Steppe communities in the vicinity of Togliatti (Samara Region)

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 74-80
Author(s):  
Tatyana Mikhaylovna Lysenko
Keyword(s):  
Computer Program ◽  
International Code ◽  
Steppe Vegetation ◽  
New Associations ◽  
Code Of Phytosociological Nomenclature ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Steppe Communities ◽  
Green Book ◽  
Phytosociological Nomenclature

The paper describes the study of steppe vegetation in the Samara Region. It contains results of the steppe communities field study conducted in 2014-2015 in the vicinity of Togliatti (Samara Region). Geobotanical relevs were made on standard sites for steppe vegetation. Projective covering of plant species in field conditions was estimated as a percentage and then converted to scores using B.M. Mirkins scale. The relevs are placed in the geobotanical database Vegetation of the Volga and Ural Basins and processed using the computer program JUICE. Bioindication studies were conducted using the IBIS program. As a result of the syntaxonomic analysis carried out using the floral approach to the classification of vegetation by J. Braun-Blanquet, 2 new associations and 6 new subassociations were identified. Their names are given in accordance with the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. Their position in the system of higher syntaxons of Europe is established, nomenclature types, diagnostic types are given, composition and structure, ecology and distribution of communities are characterized as well as the results of processing according to the scales by L.G. Ramensky. The communities of all established syntaxons are recommended for inclusion in the 2nd edition of the Green Book of the Samara Region.

scholarly journals Peculiarities herb-bunchgrass steppes of Western Predcaucasia

2021 ◽  
pp. 89-92
Author(s):  
L. R. Ashibokova ◽  
N. G. Lapenko
Keyword(s):  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Weight Fraction ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Wild Plant ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Bothriochloa Ischaemum ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Grass Stand ◽  
Festuca Valesiaca

Relevance. The article presents the materials of the geobotanical examination of the virgin steppes of the Western Predcaucasia. The relevance of the study is due to the modern state of natural grass stand, which is under constant anthropogenic influence.Methods. The research points are located in the southwestern part of the Stavropol Territory and the northeastern part of Karachay-Cherkessia, within the absolute heights of 500–880 m. The description of vegetation and its analysis was carried out on ten accounting sites (10x10 m) according to methods generally accepted in geobotany.Results. It was revealed that in the grass stand the grass familyhas on average 17,5% (its weight fraction is 70–80%). In the formation of grass stand plant associations, the leading role belongs to the dominant sod steppe-grasses: Stipa pulcherrima, Festuca valesiaca, Festuca rupicola, Bothriochloa ischaemum, etc. Legumes (Medicago romanica, Trifolium pratense, Onobrychis arenaria) are the main source of protein for animals, they are diverse and have on average 10,8%, but in weight terms they are inferior to sod steppe-grasses. The flora of the studied steppes is represented by a number of economically valuable plants. These are sod steppe-grasses — the creators of the main feed mass of the steppe. They are also sources of a protein component for animals. But the main source of protein in the steppe grass stands are representatives of the legume family (species Trifolium, Medicago, Onobrychis, etc.). Nectariferous plants (Filipendula vulgaris, Galium ruthenicum, Echium russicum) and drug plants (Adonis vernalis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Thymus marschallianus, etc.) are found in the steppe. The spectrum of life cycles of the flora is noteworthy. There is a high percentage of perennials — from 66,7 to 97,8%. This fact indicates that the axes of ecological niches are packed relatively tightly by perennials — persistent competitors of annual plants (more often weeds). Until mid-summer the generative stage of development of wild plant species reaches on average 80%. Their gene pool can be recommended for the restoration of low-productive steppe grass stand, as well as for use in selection work.

scholarly journals New higher syntaxa of the steppe vegetation in the North Caucasus

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (9) ◽  
pp. 59-75
Author(s):  
Tatiana Lysenko ◽  
◽  
Kseniia Shchukina ◽  
Valentina Neshataeva ◽  
Dmitry Shilnikov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Order ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
Steppe Vegetation ◽  
New Associations ◽  
The North

Geobotanical studies were carried out in the North Caucasus, in the Stavropol kray (Russia) on Beshtau, Byk, Verblyud, Dzhutsa, Dubrovka, Zolotoy Kurgan, Kokurtly, Lysaya, Mashuk, Yutsa magmatic mountains, Bor-gustan and Dzhinal ringes in 2017, 2019–2021. Syntaxonomic analysis carried out from the standpoint of J. Braun-Blanquet approach (1964) made it possible to establish 2 new associations (Allio albidi–Dictamnetum caucasici ass. nov. hoc loco, Helianthemo buschii–Elytrigietum stipifoliae ass. nov. hoc loco), 2 new alliances (Allio albidi–Dictamnion caucasici all. nov. hoc loco, Helianthemo buschii–Elytrigion stipifoliae all. nov.hoc loco) and 1 new order Galio biebersteinii–Bilacunarietalia microcarpae ordo nov. hoc loco. They are included in the class Festuco–Brometea Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Soó 1947.

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