CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VEGETATION COMPOSITION OF THE ABRASION COAST OF THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE BLACK SEA COAST OF THE CAUCASUS

Abstract

Abrasion coasts (cliffs) are characterized by heterogeneity of the spatial structure and mobility of the substrate, which creates specific environmental conditions for plants. Nevertheless, plant communities of cliffs of the Black Sea coast of the Northwestern Caucasus are well developed due to the presence of a large number of Mediterranean species that are well adapted to such conditions. Communities are also supplemented by local endemics and representatives of petrophytic vegetation of adjacent areas. As a result, a specific plant community is formed on the cliff, represented by species from different floristic areas. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze the species composition of higher vascular plants of the abrasion shore area of the Black Sea coast of the Northwestern Caucasus. On the studied cliff, 131 species of vascular plants were found, including 5 Crimean-Novorossiysk and 6 Novorossiysk endemic, as well as 6 species found in the Red List of the Russian Federation. Extreme unevenness in the density distribution of vegetation was noted, which may be due to the heterogeneity of the relief and the mobility of the substrate. Analysis of supraspecific taxa (families) showed the predominance of representatives of the Apiaceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae families in the plant community. In addition, chorological analysis of vascular plant species was performed. The data of the performed chorological analysis confirm the relation of the studied territory to the Crimean Novorossiysk province. Thus, despite the specific environmental conditions, the plant community of the studied cliff is rich in species, including endemic species.