Bioecological Characteristics of the Flora of the Territories Adjacent to the Springs of Western Kazakhstan

G Z Idrissova,K M Akhmedenov,I V Sergeeva,A L Ponomareva,E N Shevchenko

doi:10.35885/1684-7318-2019-4-419-431

G Z Idrissova, K M Akhmedenov + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.35885/1684-7318-2019-4-419-431

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Abstract

The data of floristic studies of 40 spring tracts of the Mangistau, Aktobe, Atyrau and West Kazakhstan regions of the Western Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan are presented. We have found that the studied flora is represented by 252 species, 167 genera and 55 families belonging to Equisetophyta, Pinophyta, and Magnoliophyta divisions. Taxonomic characterization of the flora showing the predominance of the Asteraceae and Poaceae families is provided. The predominance of perennial herbaceous plants in the flora of spring tracts was identified by the system of I. G. Serebryakov’s life forms. The predominance of steppe plants and weeds was revealed. Horological analysis showed the leading set of species with the Eurasian range type. Ecological characteristics highlighted the predominance of xerophytes and mesotrophic plants. 20 protected plant species listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation and the Red Data Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan were identified. Analysis of the distribution of plants in the areas adjacent to the springs identified four grades of occurrence, namely: common species – 7; uncommon species – 17; rare species – 100; and very rare species – 128. The most common species found within the spring tract territories are related to weeds, such as Tripleurospermum perforatum (Merat) M. Lainz, Polygonum aviculare L., Taraxacum officinale Wigg., Lappula squarrosa (Retz.) Dumort., Plantago major L., Arctium lappa L., Xanthium strumarium L., Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik., Chenopodium album L., Convulvus arvensis L., Poa annua L., Bromus squarrosus L., Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski. The Jaccard index (Kj) for the analyzed floras in pairwise comparison varies from 0.02 to 0.5, which shows the extreme heterogeneity of the specific composition.

Highlights

There are about 200 springs in Western Kazakhstan (Akhmedenov, 2015)
During the field seasons of 2015–2017, we studied the flora of 40 spring tracts of Mangistau, Aktobe, Atyrau and West Kazakhstan regions of the Western Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan and collected about 1000 herbarium sheets
The flora of the territories adjacent to 40 springs within the boundaries of four regions of Western Kazakhstan is represented by 252 species, 167 genera, and 55 families

Summary

Introduction

There are about 200 springs in Western Kazakhstan (Akhmedenov, 2015). Springs in the steppe zones are very important sources of water supply for small settlements; they determine the recreational potential and floral diversity of the territory. The flora of the territories adjacent to the spring outlets is influenced by various factors including the location of the spring, the distance from roads and settlements, the physical and chemical composition of water, etc. Extreme environmental conditions of Western Kazakhstan result in high endemism of flora. Many spring tracts are a place of recreation for the local population; this fact naturally affects the flora and vegetation. The features of recreational changes in flora and plant communities and their components are increasingly attracting the attention of researchers (Davidenko, 2016)

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