Results of the Paleobotanical Researches at the Territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan

Abstract

The article indicates the results of paleobotanical research in the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. Materials for fossil plants in the territory Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic show that the development of the Mesophytic era covers the Permian, Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, during which existed Neomesophyte and Palaeomesophyte flora. Сenophytic era covers Paleogene, Neogene and Quaternary period. Flora of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic relates to Mesophytic and Сenophytic era. Modern vegetation of the region is dominated by open and semi-open coenosis i.e. rather primitive in its phytocenotic essence. These xerophilous coenosis have deep ancient roots of its origin. Flowering flora originated on the globe in the first half of the Cretaceous period. The oldest plant residues, which are known in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, refer to the end of the Cretaceous period. Found that modern flora and vegetation of their origin, above all, connected with the ancient Iranian, mainly Asia Minor or North Iranian flora penetrated here with Tertiary and being penetrated at the moment. From the more important temperate eastern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus in the Tertiary period, the study area was fenced off by the high perched Kongur-Alangez mountains and Zangezur.