Relict Floodplain Forests as a Refuge for Rare and Protected Species Within the City

Abstract

Urbanization can have a deteriorating effect on the ecology of an area. However, small green areas can have an important value as a refuge for rare and protected species in the urban environment. This study focuses on the black alder forests of the natural-historical park “Izmailovo”. The floral composition of this relict of the original floodplain forests the first time ever is revealed and, - the ecological-floristic and dominant classification of the described phytocenoses is given. Due to the low recreational load, populations of rare and protected plant species of Moscow and Moscow region are better preserved, which makes these phytocoenoses unique in terms of maintaining biodiversity and protecting nature.