Syntaxonomic diversity of dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea: preliminary analysis

Abstract

The aim of the work is to revise the prodrome and diagnostic species of the classes of natural dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea based on own field studies and modern literature data. Methods. The work is based on the Braun-Blanquet approach to classification of vegetation communities. Higher syntaxonomy units and lists of diagnostic species are given in accordance with “Vegetation of Europe ...” (EuroVegChecklist), nomenclature of syntaxon according to the requirements of the “International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature”, nomenclature of taxon according to the Catalogue of Life and Euro + Med PlantBase international databases. Results. A preliminary version of the prodrome of natural dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea has been compiled. It was established that this vegetation type includes communities of 12 classes: Sedo-Scleranthetea , Trifolio-Geranietea sanguinei , Festuco-Brometea , Festuco-Puccinellietea , Kalidietea foliati , Ononido-Rosmarinetea , Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis , Helianthemetea guttati , Stipo-Trachynietea distachyae , Saginetea maritimae , Asplenietea trichomanis , Drypidetea spinosae. There are 14 orders, 14 alliances and 30 associations, three of which need to be validated. The classes of rock and scree vegetation ( Asplenietea trichomanis , Drypidetea spinosae ) are described in most detail. For most classes, a significant part of the classification units has not yet been established. Conclusion. The preliminary prodrome of the natural dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea includes 12 classes, 14 orders, 14 alliances and 30 associations. A great part of syntaxa has not yet been established. The composition of the diagnostic species indicates a significant floristic proximity of the classes Sedo-Scleranthetea - Helianthemetea guttati - Stipo-Trachynietea distachyae , Festuco-Puccinellietea - Kalidietea foliati , Ononido-Rosmarinetea - Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis .