Floristic Diversity of Insular Pine Forests of the Trans-Volga–Kazakh Steppe Province

Abstract

The insular pine forests of the Trans-Volga–Kazakh province of the Black Sea–Kazakh steppe region have high biodiversity and are relict in nature. The problems of their study and conservation are relevant in the context of increasing anthropogenic impact and climatic changes. A comprehensive analysis was performed for the floristic composition of communities of pine forests from the Burabai, Karkaraly, and Buzuluk national parks, the Naurzum Reserve, the Kanonersky forestry enterprise (south of the Priishimsky altitudinal zone pine forests), the pine forests of the Ilmensky Reserve and the Burlinsky altitudinal zone located in forest–steppe regions near the northern border of the province based on our own field materials and published data. For the first time, the data on the floristic diversity of all large pine forests in the province (the geographical aspect) are summarized in a unified manner. The similarity in the taxonomic, geographical, ecological, morphological, and coenotic structure of the floristic composition of all isolated insular pine forests indicate the presence of historical links and their relic character. The results of the correlation and cluster analysis of floristic lists showed a different degree of similarity between pine forests in different parts of the province in connection with the specific physical and geographical conditions. Three groups of pine forests have been identified: (a) pine forests of the sandy massifs of the Naurzum Reserve and the Kanonersky forestry enterprise, which have the most xerophilic appearance and are poor in composition, with a predominance of steppe species and turf grasses; (b) pine forests of granite massifs of the Kazakh Uplands (Burabay and Karkaraly national parks) with an average species richness; (c) the Buzuluk and Burlinsky pine forests, which occupy the most northern, borderline position in the province, with high floristic diversity and increased participation of forest species.