Characteristics of coniferous and mixed forest types in the basins of Belaya and Malaya Laba rivers (North-Western Caucasus)

Yulia Sablirova,Rustam Pshegusov,Fatimat Tembotova,F.A Tembotova

doi:10.1051/bioconf/20213500020

Yulia Sablirova, Rustam Pshegusov + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20213500020

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Abstract

Based on the results of the studies conducted in the forest areas of the basins of the rivers Belaya and Malaya Laba, there has been compiled a typological scheme of the coniferous and mixed forests of North-Western Caucasus (NWC) which included 21 forest types, that are distributed into 12 groups. The forest stands of the studied forests types is predominantly complex in composition: mixed-age groups, multi-tiered, medium to high productivity, medium to high-density. The forest regeneration is weak or very weak, according to the scale proposed by S. M. Bebia. The data obtained during the research can be used for assessing the dynamics of the forest biogeocenoses, biodiversity, as well as successional processes.

Highlights

Coniferous and coniferous-broadleaved forests of the Northwest Caucasus (NWC) are unique ecosystems that cover relatively small areas
In addition dark coniferous forests growing on the territory of the Caucasus State Nature Biosphere Reserve are classified as rare plant communities, with some unique plant species that are included in the Russian Red Book, including endemic and relict species
The results of our research revealed that in fir forests the most characteristic groups of forest types are fir forests with herb-rich vegetation cover, fir forests with rhododendron undergrowth, fir forests with tallgrass vegetation cover, fir forests with fescue grass vegetation cover, and fir forests with fern vegetation cover

Summary

Introduction

Coniferous and coniferous-broadleaved forests of the Northwest Caucasus (NWC) are unique ecosystems that cover relatively small areas. In addition dark coniferous forests growing on the territory of the Caucasus State Nature Biosphere Reserve are classified as rare plant communities, with some unique plant species that are included in the Russian Red Book, including endemic and relict species. The majority of coniferous forests are severely degraded, due to economic activities and recreational pressure, and their present distribution is only a fraction of their potential natural area. In this regard, the issues of assessment of the current state and typological structure of coniferous and coniferous-broadleaved forests of the NWC, which is of particular interest in connection with the complex terrain, are of particular relevance. In Turkish forests, with Abies nordmanniana (Steven.) the authors [4] distinguish fir-pine – Abieti nordmannianae-Pinetum sylvestris Eminağaoğlu et Anşin 2007, Lilio ciliatiPinetum sylvestris Quézel et al 1992; Abieti nordmannianae-Piceetum orientalis Eminağaoğlu et Anşin 2007, Vaccinio myrtilli-Piceetum orientalis Quézel et al 1992; fir-beech forests – Pyrolo secundaeFagetum orientalis Akman et al ex Quézel et al 1992; maple-fir forests – Acero tauricoli-Abietetum cilicicae Quézel et al 1992

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