Distribution patterns, floristic structure and habitat requirements of the alpine river plant community Stuckenietum amblyphyllae ass. nova (Potametea) in the Pamir Alai Mountains (Tajikistan)

Arkadiusz S Nowak,Marcin Nobis

doi:10.5586/asbp.2012.018

Abstract

This paper discusses the floristic structure, distribution and habitat requirements of a new aquatic syntaxon, Stuckenietum amblyphyllae ass. nova. Patches of the Stuckenietum amblyphyllae association occur in the Pamir Alai Mountains in Middle Asia (Tajikistan). The biotope of this community represent high mountain rivers and ponds at the bottom of glacial river valleys situ- ated at elevations between 1900 and 3800 m. Patches of the Stuckenietum amblyphyllae association are characterised by a clear predominance of the typical species, i.e. Stuckenia amblyphylla, which occupies an aerial extent of between near 40 up to 90% of the surface studied. Patches of the community are poor in species, comprising a maximum of five taxa. Among associated species mainly rush, aquatic, meadow and marsh taxa have been noted. The Stuckenietum amblyphyllae community prefers cold, open, alkaline waters with medium flow-rate, ranging in depth from 15 to 75 cm. It is also, but rarely, found in the mountain ponds. Together with the Stuckenia filiformis community it designates in the Pamir Alai Mountains the upper limit of aquatic vegetation.

Highlights

Tajikistan is a country located almost entirely in the central part of the Pamir Alai Mountains – one of the main mountain systems in the Middle Asia, lying on the border of the subtropical and temperate zones
The community of Stuckenietum amblyphyllae is clearly different from other communities occurring in alpine waters
The association is a typical community occurring in U-shaped glacial valleys

Summary

Introduction

Tajikistan is a country located almost entirely in the central part of the Pamir Alai Mountains – one of the main mountain systems in the Middle Asia, lying on the border of the subtropical and temperate zones. According to the ten-volume study of the flora of the former Soviet Socialist Republic of Tajikistan, completed by a multiauthor team and supplemented by the works of other researchers, ca 4550 vascular plant species are known from the country [1]. The importance of communities of the Ranunculion fluitantis alliance for the maintenance of vegetation diversity and rather limited knowledge on their character and distribution in Middle Asia, were the major reasons for undertaking new research on aquatic vegetation of Tajikistan. Mey) Holub, plant species relatively rare in Middle Asia, is described Current chorology of this association in Tajikistan is discussed here in terms of its structure, distribution range and phytosociological classification. For all sampled vegetation plots geographical co-ordinates were given

Results

Findings

Discussion