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

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.

INTRODUCTION OF A NEW VEGETABLE CULTURE SMALLANTHUS SONCHIFOLIUS IN DAGESTAN

The paper presents a primary results of introduction of unconventional food and medicinal plant Smallanthus sonchifolius in the soil and climatic conditions of Dagestan. For planting, we used rhizomes with sprouts obtained from Pyatigorsk in the second decade of May. As a result of the research, the success of the introduction of S. sonchifolius in Lowland Dagestan was noted. Plants developed normally, the most active period of their growth and development was noted in August–October, the productivity of the root mass was 900 grams. In the conditions of mountain Dagestan, richer soils and watering are needed to grow a new culture. As in other regions of Russia in Dagestan, S. sonchifolius do not go through a full development cycle, only vegetative growth phases are noted.

VITALITY STATE OF THE SPECIAL ONOBRYCHIS MAJOROVII GROSSH. IN THE RESERVED SARICUM (DAGESTAN) COENOPOPULATION

This article is devoted to the study of Onobrychis majorovii coenopopulation located in reserve Saricum. For coenopopulation study was used the method of Yu. A. Zlobin. In research morphometric and allometric parameters were considered. Studies have allowed to get some idea not only about the features of the vitality spectrum of individuals, but also about the conditions for the implementation of processes of their growth and development. As the research results showed, the characteristics taken for accounting are characterized by a wide range of variability from medium to very high. When distributing individuals by size classes, for most characters, a predominance of individuals in the medium-sized class was noted, although the prevalence of a small-sized class of individuals was recorded for five characters, which raises some concerns about the state of the studied coenopopulation. In general, by all indications, the mediumsized class prevails and the prosperous nature of life processes in individuals of the studied coenopopulation is calculated. However, the degree of prosperity of the studied coenopopulation is extremely low, which suggests that the conditions for the existence of coenopopulation are far from optimal. Based on previous studies and the discovery of the regressive nature of life processes in individuals of the studied species in the Saricum coenopopulation, we can conclude that it is unstable. This may be a consequence of exposure to extreme natural factors and / or the influence of anthropogenic stress.

ABOUT A SMALL COLLECTION OF LICHENS FROM THE GORGE ADYL-SU RIVER (KABARDINO-BALKAR REPUBLIC)

Based on the results of field works by A.A. Golovlev in July 2017, data on new and noteworthy species for the lichen flora of the Prielbrusiy National Park are presented. The specimens were collected in the Adyl-Su River gorge, Elbrus district, Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria. In total 75 species from 44 genera are listed here with their localities and substrates, and novelties data. Eighteen species are new for the Prielbrusiy National Park, of which twelve were found for the first time in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (Aspicilia cf. laevata, Blastenia hungarica, Bryoria vrangiana, Cladonia cyathomorpha, Henrica melaspora, Lasallia rossica, Lecidea promiscens, Normandina pulchella, Parmelina tiliacea, Ramalina pollinaria, Rinodina trevisanii, Rusavskia sorediata). Henrica melaspora is reported for the first time for Caucasus, Cladonia cyathomorpha is new to the Russian Caucasus. Two species (Lecidea promiscens and Rinodina trevisanii) are reported for the first time for the Central Caucasus. The genus Henrica is reported as new to the Caucasus, and the genus Normandina is new for the lichen flora of Kabardino-Balkaria.

SPATIAL ACCOMMODATION OF A RARE PLANT NONEA DECURRENS (C.A. MEY.) G. DON FIL IN THE FOOTHILLS OF DAGESTAN

This work was carried out within the framework of a long-term comprehensive study of the endemic species of the Eastern Caucasus — Nonea decurrens (С.А. Мey.) G. Don fil and is devoted to the study of the spatial accommodation of individuals of the species in various ecological conditions on 6 model areas in the lower foothills of Dagestan. Determination of the type of spatial accommodation was carried out using the method of squares and confirmed by the statistical tests Chisquare and Odum's index. It was revealed that, individuals of Nonea decurrens are accommodation in groups on the territory of growth. When examining the established transects on permanent areas, elementary small and united large accumulations of individuals of the studied species of different age states (pregenerative and generative) were revealed. The population density of Nonea decurrens in the area where the species grows was 0.65 pieces / m2, the length of elementary aggregations on transects was 8.9 m, and the density of individuals in them was 30.4 pieces / m2. The length of the intervals between the accumulations was 1.1 m, and the density of individuals here was 0.16 pcs / m2. The discreteness of accumulations is set at 0.97, which reveals a clear delimitation of those from each other, and the degree of remoteness of accumulations (0.3) demonstrates the group type of accommodations of individuals of the species under study at all model areas.

BOOK REVIEW «DETERMINANT OF LICENS OF THE SAMARA REGION. PART I. FOLIOSE, FRUTICOSE AND SLIMY SPECIES: STUDY GUIDE. SAMARA: SAMARA UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2018. 128 P.: IL.» OF A.G. TSURIKOV AND E.S. KORCHIKOV

In the Samara region to date, there is a need for a closer study of lichen flora. So far, there is no complete list of species of lichens in the region, but only some local territories, often isolated from each other. Although attempts to study this group of organisms have been undertaken for a long time, this issue has not yet been finally resolved. A positive aspect is the publication of the “Identifier of lichens in the Samara region”. In the work of V.G. Tsurikova and E.S. Korchikova presented the original key for determining leafy, bushy and mucus species, accompanied by color photographs that facilitate this determination. The publication also contains a sufficient complete description of lichens (151 species).

LICHEN SPECIES, PROPOSED FOR THE RED DATA BOOK OF THE REPUBLIC OF INGUSHETIA

Thirteen lichen species proposed for the Red Data Book of Republic of Ingushetia on based of the results of author's field works and analysis of literature information. Among them, three species are included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation (Leptogium burnetiae, Lobaria pulmonaria, Usnea florida). Ten lichen species are rare and vulnerable due to the state of populations in the Republic of Ingushetia at the current time (Hyperphyscia granulata, Melanelixia albertana, Neo-catapyrenium rhizinosum, Parmotrema stuppeum, Peltula bolanderi, Phaeophyscia cernohorskyi, Phaeophyscia insignis, Punctelia borreri, Thalloidima toninianum, Usnea cavernosa). Information on distribution in the republic, ecology and proposed categories of the threatened are given. Most of the species (10) were proposed to be included with «Near Threatened» category, 1 species (Leptogium burnetiae) with «Critically Endargered», 1 species (Lobaria pulmonaria) with «Data Deficient» and 1 species (Usnea florida) with «Least Concern».

ECOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES OF NEOTINEA USTULATA (L.) R.M. BATEMAN, PRIDGEON ET M.W. CHASE (Orchidaceae) IN THE MEADOW PHY-TOCENOSES OF THE CENTRAL CAUCASUS

We studied variation of morphological characters, ontogenetic structure and vitality of six cenopop-ulations of Neotinea ustulata within the Kabardino-Balkar Republic in 2017–2019. The studies were conducted in the meadow plant communities under different conditions of anthropogenic load (grazing, recreation). The species presents low phytocenotic plasticity of morphological characters (Ip = 17–46%) and high variation of morphological characters (average value of CVх¯ср is 22.90%) under changeable conditions of growth. The intensification of growth processes in the individuals with the maximum increase of the cenopopulation vitality (IVC= 1.03–1.08) is observed in the composition of undisturbed meadows. The portion of generative individuals is 60.4–65.2% in ontogenetic spectra, the weak seed reproduction and the low density of cenopopulations (3.38–4.62 ind./m2) is registered. Under the intensification of the anthropogenic load, vitality of cenopopulations (IVC= 0.92–0.95) is decreased; the portion of pregenerative individuals in ontogenetic spectra (77.4–82.7%) and the density of individuals (8.22–12.34 ind./m2) are increased within the meadow with low total projective cover.

SPECIES OF LICHENS RECOMMENDED FOR INCLUSION IN THE NEW EDITION OF THE RED DATA BOOK OF THE REPUBLIC OF DAGESTAN

During on the field work of 2009–2020 years were obtained data on diversity, distribution and oc-currence of lichens in the Republic of Dagestan including data on rare and endangered species. Based on them we recommend 24 species for inclusion in the new edition of the red data book of the Republic of Dagestan. Among them, 8 species are included in the red book of the Russian Fed-eration (Leptogium burnetiae, L. hildenbrandii, Letharia vulpina, Lobaria pulmonaria, Nephromopsis laureri, Ricasolia amplissima, Tornabea scutellifera, Usnea florida), 16 species are rare and vulnerable in the region (Anaptychia elbursiana, A. roemeri, Chaenotheca hispidula, Circinaria vagans, Coniocarpon cinnabarinum, Enterographa hutchinsiae, Flavoparmelia soredians, Hypotrachyna laevigata, Inoderma byssaceum, Lecanographa lyncea, Lobarina scrobiculata, Pannaria conoplea, Parmelina quercina, Sclerophora farinacea, Seirophora lacunosa, Usnea articulata). Most of the species (20) were proposed to be included with «Vulnerable» category, 2 species (Leptogium burnetiae, Nephromopsis laureri) with «Near Threatened» and 2 species (Tornabea scutellifera, Usnea florida) with «Least Concern». Most of the lichens recommended on protection are epiphytes and concentrated in forest communities on the Coastal lowland (Samur river Delta), in mountain broadleaved and mixed forests.

PHYTOCENOTIC AND SOZOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE BEECH FORESTS OF DAGESTAN

The paper presents the results of assessing the phytocenotic and sozological significance of the beech forests of Dagestan, which have been preserved in the study area since the tertiary period in a depleted and transformed form. Occupying a fairly large area, they perform functions that maintain balance in the ecoregion of the Eastern Caucasus. In addition, the beech forests of Dagestan are rich in hyrkanian and colchian relict and endemic elements, rare protected species. Based on the geobotanical description of seventy-three trial plots in various physical and geographical areas of Dagestan using the ecological and phytocenotic method, nineteen associations were identified, to identify the environmental value of which a system of criteria for determining the environmental significance of associations was applied. It was revealed that the greatest conservation value (P4) is represented by associations growing in the lowland and foothill parts: Fagetum taxosoilexosum (area less than 1 ha), Fagetum qercoso-euphorbosum, represented by insignificant in derivatives of hyrkan forests and Fagetum taxoso-varioherbosum, extremely rare throughout the interrupted strip of beech forests of foothill Dagestan. Such associations of foothill beech forests as Fagetum nudum, Fagetum compositum loniceroso-varioherbosum, Fagetum sambucoso-efemeroso-filicosum, and Fagetum efemer-oso-varioherbosum, which also occupy relatively small areas, have a high conservation value (P3). The associations Fagetum compositum fruticoso-varioherbosum, Fagetum compositum carpinoso-varioherbosum, Fagetum filicosum, Fagetum festucosum, and Fagetum rubosum are classified as communities with an average conservation value of P2. All associations of beech forests of the foot-hills of Dagestan are subject to reduction of areas under the influence of high anthropogenic load: logging, cattle grazing, economic development of the territory. In subalpine beech forests, the asso-ciations Fagetum filicoso-varioherbosum and Fagetum myrtilloso-varioherbosum — P3 are of high conservation value. Communities with average values of conservation value (P2) include the following associations: Fagetum fruticoso-filicoso-varioherbosum, Fagetum compositum varioherbosum, Fagetum compositum filicoso-varioherbosum. Associations Fagetum festucosa-varioherbosum, Fagetum compositum festucoso-vatioherbosum are classified as communities with low conservation value-P1. In this area, there is no reduction in areas due to the inaccessibility of forest areas for timber harvesting.