Abstract
This paper discusses the floristic structure, distribution and habitat requirements of a new forest syntaxon, <em>Populetum talassicae </em>ass. nova. The potential range of the <em>Populetum talassicae </em>association comprises the central Pamir-Alai and Tian-Shan Mountains in Middle Asia. The biotope of this community comprises high mountain river valleys and shore zones of mountain lakes situ- ated at elevations between 2200 and 2750 m. Phytocoenoses of the <em>Populetum talassicae </em>association are characterized by a clear predominance in the tree layer of a characteristic species of the association ‒ <em>Populus talassica</em>. Shrubs are not so abundant; how- ever, the undergrowth layer of the community could reach up to 60% of the total cover, consisting mainly of <em>Salix </em>spp., <em>Hipophaë rhamnoides</em>, <em>Lonicera stenantha</em>, <em>Juniperus semiglobosa </em>and <em>J. seravschanica</em>. The herbaceous layer is quite rich and has about 20 species on average. Among associated species mainly meadow, rush and marsh taxa have been noted. Regarding the considerable cover of the meadow species, the association of <em>Populetum talassicae </em>has been classified as the <em>Populetea laurifolio-suaveolentis </em>syntaxon. A new plant alliance was proposed ‒ <em>Populion talassicae </em>all. nova with <em>Pedicularis dolichorhiza </em>and <em>Astragalus tibetanus </em>as diagnostic species. The described forest association is one of the rarest and most rapidly disappearing wood communities in Tajikistan, which means that special conservation attention is called for.
Highlights
Tajikistan is a country located almost entirely in the central part of the Pamir-Alai Mountains – one of the main mountain systems in Middle Asia, lying on the border of the subtropical and temperate zones
This number is not final as recently some new species have been described from Tajikistan [2,3,4,5,6] and new records of its flora have been published [7,8,9,10,11,12]
The presence of the Results vegetation plots dominated by Populus talassica was examined in more than 30 river valleys and along the periphery of 15 mountain lakes
Summary
Tajikistan is a country located almost entirely in the central part of the Pamir-Alai Mountains – one of the main mountain systems in Middle Asia, lying on the border of the subtropical and temperate zones. Vascular plant species are known from the country [1] This number is not final as recently some new species have been described from Tajikistan [2,3,4,5,6] and new records of its flora have been published [7,8,9,10,11,12]. 30% of the entire flora of vascular plants known from Tajikistan are generally accepted as endemic of the country Some of them have been subjected to detailed biological studies [15]
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