Pamir-Alai Mountains Research Articles

Syntaxonomic classification of forb steppes and related vegetation of subalpine and alpine belts in the Pamir-Alai Mountains (Tajikistan, Middle Asia)

Syntaxonomic classification of forb steppes and related vegetation of subalpine and alpine belts in the Pamir-Alai Mountains (Tajikistan, Middle Asia)

Conservation Biology of Endangered Wild Walnut in Tianshan Valley, Xinjiang

Wild walnut belongs to the walnut family in Tianshan Valley of Xinjiang. Tertiary tree species in Central Asia and endangered plant under state protection. Its main distribution areas are as far as the Western Tianshan Mountains and Pamir-Alai Mountains of the former Soviet Union, and it is only distributed in Dekuztala County of Xinjiang, China. It is of great scientific value to study the origin and evolution of cultivated walnut, paleofloristic changes, paleogeography, Tertiary and Quaternary climatic changes. Due to the narrow distribution of wild walnut in Xinjiang, harsh desert conditions, climate change, human disturbance, habitat fragmentation and other factors, wild walnut in Xinjiang is facing the risk of extinction, and it is urgent to carry out research on conservation biology and conservation genetics. In this paper, floristic, community and plant population research and analysis methods were adopted [1][6]. In this paper, the floristic composition, plant ecological type structure, plant climate and soil water characteristics of wild walnut community, age structure of wild walnut population, fluctuation cycle and evolution trend of population age composition, population growth characteristics, phenotypic plasticity of seeds and compound leaves, and biomass allocation were analyzed comprehensively in Xinjiang Nature Reserve. And put forward scientific protection countermeasures.

New syntaxa of tall-forb vegetation in the Pamir-Alai and western Tian Shan Mts. (Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, Middle Asia) – an addendum to Nowak et al. 2020

We validate eleven syntaxa (eight associations and three alliances) of tall-forb vegetation that were published earlier as nomina provisoria according to the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. The validation concerns syntaxa of tall-forb vegetation of the class Prangetea ulopterae Klein 1987 reported from Pamir-Alai and western Tian Shan Mountains (Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan). Taxonomic reference: Cherepanov (1995). Abbreviations: ICPN = International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature.

The complete chloroplast genome of Eremurus robustus (Asphodelaceae)

Eremurus robustus Regel (Eremurus, Asphodelaceae) is an ornamental plant and endemic to the Tien Shan and Pamir Alai mountains. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome of E. robustus was determined. The cp genome of E. robustus is 155,647 bp in length consisting of a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,776 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,786 bp, and a pair of identical inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 26,490 bp. The cp genome encodes 114 unique genes, including 80 protein-coding genes, 4 ribosomal RNAs and 30 transfer RNAs. Among them, ten coding genes contained one intron each and two genes (clpP and ycf3) contained two introns each. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrates a close relationship between genus Aloe with genus Eremurus.

New leaf and fruit disease of Juglans regia caused by Juglanconis juglandina in Xinjiang, China

AbstractJuglans regia L. is an important and scarce natural resource that grows in the part of the western Tianshan Mountains and the Pamir Alai Mountains in Central Asia. They only distribute in Gongliu County, Yili, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China. However, the healthy growth of J. regia was seriously affected by a fungal disease affecting leaves, branches and fruit in 2016. Sixty isolates were obtained from diseased branches, leaves and fruit collected. The pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed by inoculating shoots and fruit collected from healthy J. regia in Gongliu County and by inoculating the leaves of J. regia seedlings. The pathogen was re‐isolated from all inoculated shoots, leaves and fruits, thereby fulfilling Koch's postulates. Furthermore, isolates from leaves were able to infect fruit and shoots and vice versa. The isolate 1429‐1 was more pathogenic to the branches than HG and HY, no significant difference between the other isolates from leaves and fruits. Based on morphological, cultural characteristics and multilocus analyses using the internal transcribed spacer region, the RNA polymerase II subunit 2 gene, the calmodulin gene, the guanine nucleotide‐binding protein subunit beta gene, the translation elongation factor 1‐alpha gene and the β‐tubulin gene sequences, the fungus was identified as Juglanconis juglandina. Although J. juglandina has been reported previously as the causal agent of stem disease, this is the first description of J. juglandina as the causal agent of a leaf and fruit disease of J. regia.

Vegetation of feather grass steppes in the western Pamir Alai Mountains (Tajikistan, Middle Asia)

Vegetation of feather grass steppes in the western Pamir Alai Mountains (Tajikistan, Middle Asia)

Reconstruction of a long streamflow record using tree rings in the upper Kurshab River (Pamir-Alai Mountains) and its application to water resources management

A 294-year streamflow record of the upper Kurshab River was inferred from tree-ring width chronology of Turkestan juniper from the Pamir-Alai Mountains of Kyrgyzstan. The reconstructed streamflow variations were consistent with other hydrometeorological reconstructions of northern Pakistan and western Tien Shan on a decadal timescale, which demonstrate both increased and decreased streamflow intervals and trends. The new reconstruction and other hydrometeorological series successfully captured the recent wetting trend of Central Asia. Wavelet analysis indicates that decadal and interannual cycles exist in the reconstructed streamflow, which may be linked to solar activity and the North Atlantic Oscillation.

Fen and spring vegetation in western Pamir-Alai Mountains in Tajikistan (Middle Asia)

Fen and spring vegetation in western Pamir-Alai Mountains in Tajikistan (Middle Asia)

Dwarf shrub vegetation of rock ledges and clefts in the Pamir Alai Mountains (Middle Asia: Tajikistan)

AbstractThe paper presents the results of phytosociological researches on rocky slope vegetation in Tajikistan with the aim to establish a comprehensive syntaxonomical classification system. Field studies were conducted in 2010-2014 in Pamir Alai ranges and Pamirian plateau. Nearly 500 relevés documenting rock and scree vegetation were made according to the Braun-Blanquet method. Numerical analyses of selected 58 relevés representing dwarf shrub vegetation on rock ledges made it possible to distinguish: Ephedro glaucae- Spiraeion baldschuanicae and Ephedrion regeliano-fedtschenkoi alliances, as well as Spiraeetum baldschuanicae, Rhamnetum coriaceae, Pentaphylloidetum parvifoliae and Pentaphylloidetum dryadanthoidis associations, community of Ephedra glauca and community of Rhamnus minuta. The classification of vegetation of dwarf shrubs on rock walls occurring in the Pamir Alai Mts is proposed. Because of the species composition, physiognomy and microhabitat conditions, the plant communities were included into Artemisio santolinifoliae- Berberidetea sibiricae class Ermakov et al. 2006. The main factors determining the species composition of the classified associations seem to be the elevation above sea level.The newly described syntaxa are largely defined by species restricted to very narrow ranges in Middle Asia.

Validation of chasmophytic syntaxa of colline and montane zones in Tajikistan (Middle Asia)

Eight syntaxa are validated with the previous names regarded as invalidly published according to the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. The validation concerns syntaxa of rock plant communities of the Campanuletalia incanescentis order reported from the Pamir Alai mountains in Tajikistan. The majority of validated syntaxa represents association level, one is an alliance. All validations are conducted due to the invalidity of tables with typus relevés according to art. 1 of the Code: they were not distributed as printed matter. The validated syntaxa are as follows: Caricion koshewnikowii, Scutellarietum hissaricae, Scutellarietum schugnanicae, Scutellarietum zaprjagaevii, Scutellarietum baldshuanicae, Tylospermetum lignosae, Nanorrhinetum ramosissimi, Campanuletum albertii.

Vegetation of taluses and screes of the high montane and alpine zone in the Pamir Alai Mountains (Tajikistan, Middle Asia)

Vegetation of taluses and screes of the high montane and alpine zone in the Pamir Alai Mountains (Tajikistan, Middle Asia)

Fern-dominated Rock Plant Communities of Tajikistan (Middle Asia)

Abstract The results of phytosociological research conducted on the fern vegetation of rock crevices and clefts of the Pamir-Alai Mountains in Tajikistan are presented. During field surveys done in 2010–2013, 78 phytosociological releves were sampled. Plant species were recorded according to the Braun-Blanquet cover-abundance scale. A synopsis of the fern communities of the montane and high altitude zones in Tajikistan is proposed. In the examined vegetation plots, species of 9 ferns, 58 angiosperms and 13 mosses were recorded. The most frequent ferns were: Cystopteris fragilis, Cheilanthes persica, Asplenium ruta-muraria, Asplenium ceterach, Adiantum capillus-veneris and Cryptogramma stelleri. Six plant associations could be distinguished: Cheilanthetum persicae, Cryptogrammetum stelleri, Soncho transcaspici-Adiantetum capilli-veneris, Asplenio-Ceterachetum officinarum, Asplenio-Cystopteridetum fragilis, and Asplenietum trichomano-rutae-murariae. The first three associations are described for the first t...

Arbuscular mycorrhiza and fungal root endophytes of weeds in an altitudinal gradient in the Pamir Alai Mountains of Central Asia

Arbuscular mycorrhiza and fungal root endophytes of three weeds, Galium tricornutum, Lycopsis orientalis and Scandix pecten-veneris, were studied in an altitudinal gradient of the Pamir Alai Mountains. Colonisation by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) was found in all species. Only in the case of G. tricornutum was there a rise in mycorrhizal parameters values found for the medium altitude range. Similar tendencies were observed in the case of the AMF colonisation potential assessment. This suggests that plant species' identity, dependency on symbiosis and interactions with soil properties determine root colonisation and the abundance of AMF in soils at the elevations in question. Four AMF species, Claroideoglomus claroideum, Funneliformis mosseae, Scutellospora dipurpurescens and Septoglomus constrictum, were isolated from trap cultures established on soil taken from under the weeds. Dark septate endophytes (DSE) accompanied the AMF in the roots of G. tricornutum and S. pecten-veneris; however, they were neither frequently occurring nor abundant. The sporangia of Olpidium spp. were observed with low frequency occurrence in G. tricornutum and S. pecten-veneris and more often in the roots of L. orientalis. However, in both cases, they were low in abundance. No differences were found for the presence of DSE and Olpidium in the altitudinal gradient.

Vegetation of rock crevices of the montane and colline zones in the Pamir-Alai and Tian Shan Mts in Tajikistan (Middle Asia)

The paper presents the results of phytosociological research conducted on the vegetation of rock habitats in the montane and colline zones of the Pamir-Alai Mountains (Tajikistan). During field surveys done in 2010–2013, 122 phytosociological relevés were sampled. Plant species were recorded according to the Braun-Blanquet cover-abundance scale. The vegetation studies were carried out generally in the western Pamir-Alai and south-western Tian Shan Mts, especially in the Zeravshan, Hissar, Hazratishoh, Darvaz, Rushan, Turkestan, Kuramin and Vanch ranges. A synopsis of the rock communities of the montane and colline zones in Tajikistan is proposed. The collected material presents most of the variability among the plant communities of rock crevices and fissures on calcareous as well as acidic substrates in the montane and colline zones in Tajikistan. As a result of field research and numerical analyses, eight associations have been distinguished: Scutellarietum hissaricae, Scutellarietumschugnanicae, Scutellarietum zaprjagaevii, Scutellarietum baldshuanicae, Tylospermetumlignosae, Dionysietum involucratae A. Nowak, M. Nobis, S. Nowak & A. Nobis, 2014, Nanorrhinetum ramosissimi, Campanuletum albertii and the community of Scutellaria adenostegia within new alliance – Caricion koshevnikovii. The main factors determining the species composition of classified associations seem to be the geography of the distribution range, elevation above sea level, rock type and exposition.

Spatiotemporal evolution of Reaumuria (Tamaricaceae) in Central Asia: insights from molecular biogeography

Reaumuria is an arid adapted genus with a distribution center in Central Asia; its evolution and dispersal is investigated in this paper. Eighteen species of Reaumuria and nine species of two other genera in the Tamaricaceae, Tamarix and Myricaria, were sampled, and four markers ITS, rps16, psbB-psbH, and trnL-trnF were sequenced. The reconstructed phylogenetic tree is fundamentally consistent with previous morphological classification, except that R. soongorica, sometimes considered to be a separate genus or subgenus, is completely nested within Reaumuria. The ancestral area of the genus is suggested to be western Central Asia, and distributions in the Iran-Mediterranean area and the Tianshan and Pamir-Alai mountains are inferred as dispersals. Westward dispersals to the Iran-Mediterranean were ancient Oligocene to Miocene , whereas dispersals eastward were recent. The spatiotemporal evolution of Reaumuria is used as a link to abiotic paleoclimatic and geological events, in particular, increased aridity beginning at the Eocene-Oligocene Transition (EOT), and as a result of uplift of the Himalayas and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). The diversification of the two sections (22.51–19.78 Ma) suggests a response to increasing aridification in response to QTP uplift and expansion.

Vegetation of solid rock faces and fissures of the alpine and subnival zone in the Pamir Alai Mountains (Tajikistan, Middle Asia)

Vegetation of solid rock faces and fissures of the alpine and subnival zone in the Pamir Alai Mountains (Tajikistan, Middle Asia)

Vegetation of rock clefts and ledges in the Pamir Alai Mts, Tajikistan (Middle Asia)

AbstractThe paper presents the results of phytosociological research conducted on the vegetation of rock clefts and ledges in the Pamir-Alai Mountains (Tajikistan, Middle Asia). During the field studies, done in 2010–2012, 101 phytosociological relevés were taken. Plant species were recorded according to the Braun-Blanquet cover-abundance scale. Communities of calcareous rock clefts and ledges with small soil amounts from several ranges (Zeravshan Mts, Hissar Mts, Hazratishokh Mts, Darvaz Mts, Rushan Mts and Vanch Mts), inhabiting mainly the alpine and subnival zone, have been described. A synopsis of the rock communities of the Pamir-Alai is proposed. In the examined vegetation plots 77 vascular plant and 6 moss species were noted. The most frequent were: Achoriphragma pinnatifidum, Artemisia rutifolia, Asperula albiflora, Campanula incanescens, C. lehmanniana, Parietaria judaica, Pentanema albertoregelia, Poa relaxa and Stipa zeravshanica among vascular plants and Brachythecium albicans and Bryum caespiticum among mosses. Most of them are narrow endemics of Tajikistan or Middle Asia. The collected material presents most of the variability among the phytocoenoses of large crevices and rock ledges in limestone massifs in the alpine and subnival zones. As a result of field research and numerical analyses, 7 associations have been distinguished: Achoriphragmetum pinnatifidi, Asperulo albiflorae-Stipetum zeravshanicae, Inuletum glaucae, Paraquilegietum anemonoidis, Pentanemetum albertoregeliae, Rhinactinidietum popovii and Saussureaetum ovatae. The distinctiveness of habitat and species composition of Middle Asiatic rock communities makes it necessary to distinguish a new suballiance, Pentanemenion albertoregeliae, within the Asperulo albiflorae-Poion relaxae alliance. The main factors determining the species composition of classified associations seem to be the elevation above sea level and exposition. Alpine rock communities are one of the most unique and interesting plant formations in the moutainous areas of Pamir-Alai. Despite not being species-rich they often harbour many specialists adapted to harsh and extreme environments, especially in areas of Mediterranean-like climate.

Weed communities of rice fields in the central Pamir Alai Mountains (Tajikistan, Middle Asia)

Weed communities of rice fields in the central Pamir Alai Mountains (Tajikistan, Middle Asia)

Distribution, floristic structure and habitat requirements of the riparian forest community Populetum talassicae ass. nova in the Central Pamir-Alai Mts (Tajikistan, Middle Asia)

This paper discusses the floristic structure, distribution and habitat requirements of a new forest syntaxon, <em>Populetum talassicae </em>ass. nova. The potential range of the <em>Populetum talassicae </em>association comprises the central Pamir-Alai and Tian-Shan Mountains in Middle Asia. The biotope of this community comprises high mountain river valleys and shore zones of mountain lakes situ- ated at elevations between 2200 and 2750 m. Phytocoenoses of the <em>Populetum talassicae </em>association are characterized by a clear predominance in the tree layer of a characteristic species of the association ‒ <em>Populus talassica</em>. Shrubs are not so abundant; how- ever, the undergrowth layer of the community could reach up to 60% of the total cover, consisting mainly of <em>Salix </em>spp., <em>Hipophaë rhamnoides</em>, <em>Lonicera stenantha</em>, <em>Juniperus semiglobosa </em>and <em>J. seravschanica</em>. The herbaceous layer is quite rich and has about 20 species on average. Among associated species mainly meadow, rush and marsh taxa have been noted. Regarding the considerable cover of the meadow species, the association of <em>Populetum talassicae </em>has been classified as the <em>Populetea laurifolio-suaveolentis </em>syntaxon. A new plant alliance was proposed ‒ <em>Populion talassicae </em>all. nova with <em>Pedicularis dolichorhiza </em>and <em>Astragalus tibetanus </em>as diagnostic species. The described forest association is one of the rarest and most rapidly disappearing wood communities in Tajikistan, which means that special conservation attention is called for.

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

This paper discusses the floristic structure, distribution and habitat requirements of a new aquatic syntaxon, <em>Stuckenietum a</em><em>m</em><em>b</em><em>l</em><em>y</em><em>p</em><em>h</em><em>ylla</em><em>e </em>ass. nova. Patches of the <em>Stuckenietum amblyphyllae </em>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 <em>Stuckenietum amblyphyllae </em>association are characterised by a clear predominance of the typical species, i.e. <em>Stuckenia amblyphylla</em>, 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 <em>Stuckenietum amblyphyllae </em>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 <em>Stuckenia filiformis </em>community it designates in the Pamir Alai Mountains the upper limit of aquatic vegetation.