Phytosociological Nomenclature Research Articles

Comments on nomenclature of the order Rhododendro tomentosi-Laricetalia gmelinii and validation of the alliance Pino sibiricae-Laricion sibiricae

Zonal light-coniferous forests are widespread on long-frozen soils in Southern Siberia. Their individuality was first recognised in 1982 by Guinochet, who proposed a new suballiance for them, Pino-Laricenion sibiricae, within the alliance Vaccinio-Piceion. Later, attempts were made to raise the suballiance to the rank of an alliance. However, they failed to publish the name Pino sibiricae-Laricion sibiricae validly according to the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (ICPN). Therefore, the name is validated here after discussing the reasons for rejecting all previous proposals. The validity of the corrected and mutated syntaxon names Rhododendro tomentosi-Laricetalia gmelinii and Rhododendro tomentosi-Laricion gmelinii, which are related to the alliance Pino sibiricae-Laricion sibiricae, is confirmed. Corrections and mutations of two association names are also performed. Taxonomic reference: World Flora Online Plant List (WFO) (https://wfoplantlist.org/) [accessed 28 July 2024]. Abbreviations: ICPN = International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Theurillat et al. 2021); WFO = World Flora Online Plant List.

Nomenclature notes on vegetation of the Salicetea purpureae Moor 1958 class in Ukraine

A brief history of the syntaxonomic studies of floodplain vegetation of the Salicetea purpureae class in Ukraine is presented and the tasks of further research are established. Our study has shown that the vegetation of the class includes more than 30 associations, which belong to 6 alliances and 2 orders. According to the ecological peculiarities, they are divided into willow shrubs on the gravel banks of streams in the montane and subalpine belts of the temperate and boreal zones of Europe and the Caucasus (Salicion eleagno-daphnoidis), willow and poplar forests of lowland and foothill rivers formed on alluvium in the nemoral zone of Europe and at high altitudes in the Mediterranean region (Salicion albae), willow shrubs on the sandy-loamy soils of the river banks of lowlands and foothills of the nemoral zone of Europe (Salicion triandrae), willow shrubs on riverine dunes in central Ukraine (Artemisio dniproicae-Salicion acutifoliae), shrubs on temporarily flooded clay soils in central Ukraine (Rubo caesi-Amorphion fruticosae). The problems of using the phytosociological nomenclature during the analysis of the Salicetea purpureae vegetation on the territory of Ukraine are highlighted. It was found that half of the syntaxa listed in Ukrainian geobotanical literature are synonyms, published invalidly, or need typification. Every syntaxon is accompanied by explanations of its non-validity with citations of the relevant articles published in the 4th edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. In addition to the incorrectly cited associations, two of the six alliances (Artemisio dniproicae-Salicion acutifoliae, Rubo caesii-Amorphion fruticosae) also require correction because their description was based on the invalid nomenclatural types formed by the selection of species which are invalid according to The Euro+Med PlantBase. In this paper, we aimed to analyze the studies on the vegetation of the Salicetea purpureae class on the territory of Ukraine using the Braun–Blanquet approach, determine the issues that require more detailed research in the future, and make some notes on nomenclature discordances. Such review makes it possible to determine all mismatches in phytosociological nomenclature.

Dry grasslands and thorn-cushion communities of Armenia: a first syntaxonomic classification

Aim: To provide the first syntaxonomic, plot-based classification of the dry grasslands and thorn-cushion communities in Armenia. Study area: Armenia. Methods: We sampled 111 vegetation plots (10 m2) and recorded environmental and structural parameters. We collected additional 487 relevés from surrounding countries for a broad-scale comparison. We used modified TWINSPAN to derive a syntaxonomic classification system, whose units were then compared among each other regarding species composition, structure, site conditions and distribution. Results: The classification of Armenian vegetation plots resulted in a 12-cluster solution. Unsupervised classification of the broad-scale dataset yielded five main groups, which were used for the high-level syntaxonomic assignments of the Armenian data. We assigned about half of the plots of the Armenian dataset to the Festuco-Brometea, while the remaining represented a potential new class, preliminarily called “Ziziphora tenuior-Stipa arabica grasslands”. Most of the syntaxa below class level are new to science, therefore we provide formal descriptions of three orders (Plantagini atratae-Bromopsietalia variegatae, Onobrychido transcaucasicae-Stipetalia pulcherrimae, Cousinio brachypterae-Stipetalia arabicae), four alliances (Acantholimono caryophyllacei-Stipion holosericeae, Artemision fragrantis, Onobrychido michauxii-Stipion capillatae, Onobrychido transcaucasicae-Stipion pulcherrimae) and six associations. We found significant differences in the topographic, climatic and soil characteristics, and structural parameters, species life forms and distribution range types between the grassland types at different syntaxonomic levels. The mean species richness was 47.3 (vascular plants: 46.8, bryophytes: 0.4, lichens: 0.1). Conclusions: We found remarkable differences of the Armenian dry grasslands from the previously known units and described most of the higher syntaxa and all the associations as new to science. Our study provides arguments for a potential new class of Ziziphora tenuior-Stipa arabica grasslands separate both from the Euro-Siberian Festuco-Brometea and the Anatolian Astragalo-Brometea. Finally, we found plot scale richness of vascular plants clearly above the Palaearctic average of dry grasslands and that of non-vascular plants clearly below, which calls for further biodiversity analyses. Taxonomic reference: Euro+Med (2023) for vascular plants, Hodgetts et al. (2020) for bryophytes, Nimis et al. (2018) for lichens except for Xanthoparmelia camtschadalis (Ach.) Hale. Abbreviations: EDGG = Eurasian Dry Grassland Group; DCA = detrended correspondence analysis; ICPN = International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Theurillat et al. 2021); TWINSPAN = two-way indicator species analysis.

Nomenclature of the Balkan allianceRomuleion graecae(Poetea bulbosae)

TheRomuleion, the only alliance of the orderPoetalia bulbosae(classPoetea bulbosae) found on the Balkan Peninsula, represents Mediterranean perennial and ephemeral pastures. It has been found in several Balkan countries, from Greece to the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia and Bulgaria. However, a revision of its nomenclature according to the fourth edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature shows that the name of the alliance was not validly published. In this paper we therefore describe the new allianceRomuleion graecae, together with the new associationPlantagini lagopodis-Poetum bulbosae.

Proposal (36) to conserve the name Philonotidion seriatae Hinterlang 1992 for the species-poor, bryophyte-dominated, non-calcareous arctic-alpine spring vegetation of Europe

According to the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature, a younger name of a syntaxon may be conserved against its older name to improve the stability of the nomenclature and avoid misunderstandings in scientific communication. Here, we propose conserving the name Philonotidion seriataeHinterlang 1992 for arctic-alpine, bryophyte-dominated, non-calcareous spring vegetation against the names Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925, Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1926, and MontionMaas 1959. In current vegetation classification systems, the two name-giving taxa of Cardamino-Montion no longer indicate the character of the vegetation corresponding to the nomenclatural type of this alliance and are instead characteristic of other currently distinguished alliances. Maintaining the oldest name Cardamino-Montion in strict adherence to the Code would be a source of errors. In the current vegetation classification systems, two similar but counter-intuitive names would then have to be used: Cardamino-Montion for arctic-alpine springs (although the name-giving taxa are more indicative of montane springs) and Epilobio nutantis-Montion for montane springs (although the name-giving taxon Epilobium nutans is indicative of arctic-alpine vegetation). Hence, there is a risk that the name Cardamino-Montion may gradually become ambiguous. We also propose conserving the name Philonotidion seriatae against Mniobryo-Epilobion hornemanniiNordhagen 1943 to prevent confusion in case of a merger of these alliances. (36) Philonotidion seriataeHinterlang 1992 Typus: Cratoneuro-PhilonotidetumGeissler 1976 (holotypus) (=) Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925 Typus: Bryetum schleicheriBraun-Blanquet 1925 [≡ Montio fontanae-Bryetum schleicheriBraun-Blanquet 1925 nom. corr. et invers. (alternative name)] (holotypus) (=) Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1926 nom. superfl. [≡ Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925] (=) Mniobryo-Epilobion hornemanniiNordhagen 1943 Typus: Mniobryo-Epilobietum hornemanniiNordhagen 1943 (lectotypus selected by Zechmeister & Mucina 1994) (=) MontionMaas 1959 nom. superfl. [≡ Cardamino-MontionBraun-Blanquet 1925] Taxonomic reference: Euro+Med PlantBase (http://europlusmed.org; accessed 4 January 2024)

Ecological and Syntaxonomic Analysis of the Communities of Glebionis coronaria and G. discolor (Malvion neglectae) in the European Mediterranean Area.

Nitrophilous communities dominated by Glebionis coronaria and Glebionis discolor in the European Mediterranean area were studied. The nomenclature was corrected according to the current taxonomy, following the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (ICPN). The statistical analysis revealed six new associations and one subassociation, with four in Spain, one in Greece, and one in Italy. Additionally, a subassociation of high relevance due to its endemic character was identified. These grasslands exhibit requirements for organic matter and other edaphic nutrients that are closer to those of Malva neglecta communities than to those of Hordeum murinum subsp. leporinum. We confirmed the published syntaxon with the rank of Resedo albae-Glebionenion coronariae suballiance and its subordination to the Malvion neglectae alliance, and we established the type association for this suballiance. Sisimbrietalia officinalis J. Tüxen in Lohmeyer et al. 1962 em. Rivas-Martínez, Báscones, T. E. Díaz, Fernández-González & Loidi 1991. Stellarietea mediae Tüxen, Lohmeyer & Preising ex von Rochow 1951.

К синтаксономии антропогенной растительности Курской области

The article presents information about new syntaxa of anthropogenic vegetation in the Kursk Region. We have been conducting research on this type of vegetation since 2003. As a result, a syntaxonomy of synanthropic vegetation of Kursk was elaborated (Arepieva, 2015) and a number of papers were published, describing the diversity of phytocenoses of anthropogenic ecotopes of the region. In this paper, 24 associations and 1 derivative community from 4 classes of anthropogenic vegetation are characterized. 210 complete relevés made by the author in 2003–2022 on the territory of Kursk and the regional centers of the Kursk Region were used in the work. Some information about the natural conditions of the region is given in Table 1. Classification is carried out according to Braun-Blanquet approach (Westhoff, Maarel, 1978). The data were treated by IBIS 7.2 software package (Zverev, 2007). The identification of new syntaxa was carried out in accordance with the “International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. 4th edition” (Theurillat et al., 2021).The names of the higher syntaxa follow «Vegetation of Europe…» (Mucina et al., 2016). Synoptic tables include only species with constancy above I. Cluster analysis of relevés by the Ward binding method and DCA ordination based on the complete matrix “species composition × relevé” were carried out by PAST 2.17 software package (Hammer et al., 2001). Ecological conditions were assessed with the use of average values by H. Ellenberg et al. (1992) ecological scales and processed by IBIS software (Zverev, 2007). In the class Sisymbrietea, the ass. Hordeetum murini Libbert 1932 was identified (Table 2, Fig. 1). It belongs to the alliance Sisymbrion officinalis and the order Sisymbrietalia sophiae. These communities are found in courtyards, on ruderalized lawns, along sidewalks and highways. Ass. Setarietum verticillatae Méndez 1984 (Table 2, Fig. 2) was assigned to the class Digitario sanguinalis–Eragrostietea minoris, the order Eragrostietalia, the alliance Spergulo arvensis–Erodion cicutariae. These stands grow on ruderalized lawns, along sidewalks, on abandoned flower beds, near buildings. In the class Artemisietea vulgaris and the order Onopordetalia acanthii, 4 associations were identified, they occur near railway embankments and highways, in wastelands. Two associations (Carduo acanthoidis–Onopordetum acanthii Soó ex Jarolímek et al. 1997 and Carduetum acanthoidis Felföldy 1942) were assigned to the alliance Onopordion acanthii (Table 3, Figures 3 and 4). Two associations (Artemisio vulgaris–Echinopsietum sphaerocephali Eliáš 1979 and Artemisio–Oenotheretum rubricaulis Passarge 1977) were assigned to the alliance Dauco-Melilotion (Table 4, Fig. 5). The order Agropyretalia intermedio-repentis and the alliance Convolvulo arvensis–Agropyrion repentis unite communities of the late successional stages. They include 4 associations (Table 5, Fig. 6): Saponario officinalis–Petasitetum spurii Passarge 1964, Anisantho–Artemisietum austriacae Kostylev 1985, Elytrigio repentis–Cirsietum arvensis Prunier et Guenat in Prunier et al. 2018, Dactylido glomeratae–Lupinetum polyphyllis Bulokhov et al. 2020. These communities are common in wastelands, along roads. A derivative community Phalacroloma annuum we also assigned to the class Artemisietea vulgaris (Table 5, Fig. 7). The class Epilobietea angustifolii includes 4 orders and 4 alliances. 4 associations were identified in the order Arctio lappae–Artemisietalia vulgaris and the alliance Arction lappae (Table 6 and 7, Figures 8 and 9): Hyoscyamo nigri–Conietum maculati Slavnić 1951, Helianthetum tuberosi (Moor 1958) Oberdorfer 1967, Geranio sibirici–Arctietum tomentosi Bulokhov et al. 2020 and a new ass. Geranio sibirici–Festucetum giganteae ass. nov. hoc loco. Holotypus: Table 7, relevé 25, Kursk Region, Kursk, courtyard of the house No. 20 on Stepan Razin Street (51.743497° N, 36.190895° E), 22.08.2020, author – L. A. Arepieva. Diagnostic species: Festuca gigantea and Geranium sibiricum. It unites stands with a predominance of Festuca gigantea and Geranium sibiricum. They are common in shaded, infrequently disturbed habitats near the walls of buildings, in parks and squares. There are 4 associations in the order Circaeo lutetianae–Stachyetalia sylvaticae and the alliance Aegopodion podagrariae (Table 10, Fig. 12): Symphyto officinalis–Anthriscetum sylvestris Passarge 1975, Arctio tomentosi–Rumicetum obtusifolii Passarge 1959, Chaerophylletum bulbosi Tüxen 1937, Urtico dioicae–Rubetum caesii Golovanov 2017. They are often found in shaded areas (near the walls of buildings, in gardens and parks). In the order Galio-Alliarietalia and the alliance Geo urbani–Alliarion petiolatae, 3 associations were identified (Table 12, Figure 13): Geo urbani–Chelidonietum majoris Jarolímek et al. 1997, Parthenocissetum insertae Bulokhov et al. 2020, Torilidetum japonicae Lohmeyer ex Görs et Müller 1969. They are common in open and shaded disturbed habitats. Three associations were assigned to the order Convolvuletalia sepium and the alliance Senecionion fluviatilis (Table 13): Calystegio–Angelicetum archangelicae Passarge 1959, Calystegio sepium–Epilobietum hirsuti Hilbig et al. 1972 and Urtico dioicae–Echinocystietum lobatae Bulokhov et Kharin 2008. The latter association includes 2 variants: typica and Arctium tomentosum. Communities of the variant Arctium tomentosum occur in less humid and eutrophic habitats. Whereas other associations are common in wetter habitats.

Proposal (35) to conserve the name Festucion valesiacae

For ninety years, the alliance name Festucion valesiacae has been widely and almost exclusively used to designate the al­liance of steppic, xeric grasslands on deep soils from Central Europe to western Ukraine. However, there is an earlier, hardly used heterotypic synonym, the Festucion sulcatae, that would be the correct name according to the rules [recte: Festucion rupicolae nom. corr.]. In order to preserve a well-established name, we propose to conserve the name Festucion valesiacae against the name Festucion sulcatae. In addition, we typify the name Festucion rupicolae Soó 1930 nom. corr. with the association Festuco rupicolae-Stipetum pennatae Soó 1930 nom. corr., for which we also select a neotype. This proposal is supported by the fact that the alliance Festucion valesiacae is the conserved type of the order Festucetalia valesiacae. (35) Festucion valesiacaeKlika 1931 Typus: Ranunculo illyrici-Festucetum valesiacaeKlika 1931 (lectotypus designated by Toman 1975: 131) (=) Festucion rupicolae Soó 1930 nom. corr. (≡ Festucion sulcatae Soó 1930 nom. inept.) Typus: Festuco rupicolae-Stipetum pennatae Soó 1930 nom. corr. (lectotypus hoc loco) Taxonomic reference: Euro+Med (2023) unless otherwise indicated. Syntaxonomic reference: Mucina et al. (2016). Abbreviations: EVC = EuroVegChecklist (Mucina et al. 2016); ICPN = 4th edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Theurillat et al. 2021).

Nomenclatural comments on the alliance Pino sibiricae-Laricion sibiricae

The name Pino sibiricae-Laricion sibiricae was introduced in 1988 by Dostálek et al. and then again in 2004 by Ermakov. Further, the latter name, despite of homonymy, has been accepted in several Russian literature sources on the basis of a misapplication of ICPN Art. 37. The validity and legitimacy of the name introduced by Dostálek et al. are discussed and clarified, whereas Ermakov’s illegitimate homonym must be rejected according to Art. 31. Taxonomic reference: Catalogue of Life Checklist, Version COL23.5 (https://doi.org/10.48580/dfs6) [accessed 16 November 2023]. Abbreviations: ICPN = International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Theurillat et al. 2021).

Phytosociological nomenclature of the class names Helianthemetea guttati, Poetea bulbosae and Stipo giganteae-Agrostietea castellanae

The EuroVegChecklist (EVC) is currently considered to be the basis for the phytosociological classification of the European vegetation, and it is therefore important that it is continually updated, improved and refined. This article revises the nomenclature of three Mediterranean grassland-related classes and some of their contents down to the rank of association, namely Helianthemetea guttati, Poetea bulbosae and Stipo giganteae-Agrostietea castellanae, on the basis of the fourth edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (ICPN). The results show that the correct author citations for the first two classes are as follows: Tuberarietea guttatae Braun-Blanquet 1973, and Poetea bulbosae Rivas Goday et Rivas-Martínez ex Navarro Andrés et Valle Gutiérrez 1984. Instead, the name Stipo giganteae-Agrostietea castellanae is invalid and it is replaced by the new class name Agrostietea castellanae. In addition, we designate the neotype of the association Corynephoro articulati-Helianthemetum guttati (Corynephoro divaricati-Tuberarietum guttatae nom. corr. nov. et mut. nov.), the lectotype of the Poo bulbosae-Trifolietum subterranei, and mutate the names Helianthemetalia guttati and Helianthemion guttati to Tuberarietalia guttatae and Tuberarion guttatae, respectively, as well as two names of associations with a name-giving taxon belonging to the genus Tuberaria.

Proposal (32) to conserve the name Agrostion castellanae with a conserved type

The alliance name Agrostion castellanae has been widely used for nearly sixty years to indicate a type of acidophilic perennial grasslands occurring in the Iberian Peninsula. At present, the alliance is classified in the order Agrostietalia castellanae, and the class Stipo giganteae-Agrostietea castellanae. However, the nomenclatural type (lectotype) of the Agrostion castellanae is a therophytic grassland, namely the association Holco setiglumis-Anthoxanthetum aristati, that was consistently classified for two decades by Iberian authors within the therophytic class Helianthemetea guttati. In order to preserve the name Agrostion castellanae in its current use, we propose to designate the association Festuco amplae-Agrostietum castellanae as the conserved type of the alliance. (32) Agrostion castellanaeRivas Goday 1958 corr. 1964: 353 nom. cons. propos. Typus: Festuco amplae-Agrostietum castellanae Rivas-Martínez et Belmonte 1986: 418 (typus cons. propos.). (≡) Agrostion castellano-tenuisRivas-Goday 1958: 626 nom. inept. Taxonomic reference: Euro+Med (2023). Syntaxonomic reference: Mucina et al. (2016). Abbreviations: EVC = EuroVegChecklist (Mucina et al. 2016); ICPN = 4th edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Theurillat et al. 2021).

Contribution to the knowledge of marsh vegetation of montane and submontane areas of Northern Apennines (Italy)

Freshwater ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity conservation. They are among the most threatened habitats in the world. However, the wetlands of southern European mountains still lack fine-scale plant community studies. Here we studied submontane and montane palustrine communities of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines. Data from 123 vegetation plots dominated by palustrine species were analysed by means of cluster analysis. We identified 18 vegetation types that we attributed to five classes (Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Montio-Cardaminetea, Isoëto-Nanojuncetea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, and Epilobietea angustifolii), and to two Natura 2000 habitats (3130 - Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea, and 6430 - Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels). According the 4th edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature we corrected the names Phragmition communis Koch 1926 nom. inept. in P. australis Koch 1926 nom. corr., Phragmitetum communisSavič 1926nom. inept. in P. australisSavič 1926nom. corr., Glycerietum plicataeKulczyński 1928nom. inept. in G. notataeKulczyński 1928nom. corr., Beruletum angustifoliaeRoll 1938nom. inept. in Beruletum erectaeRoll 1938nom. corr., and we mutated the name Scirpetum lacustrisChouard 1924nom. inept. in Schoenoplectetum lacustrisChouard 1924nom. mut. nov. Our study highlights the diversity of marsh vegetation of montane and submontane areas of Northern Apennines. Most of the palustrine communities, though important from the point of view of conservation, cannot be attributed at present to any habitat type legally protected at the European level.

Validation of syntaxon names and lectotypifications for some Italian vegetation types

Based on the results of previous phytosociological works, one concerning the Tuscan Quercus petraea forests, another one concerning Apennine communities belonging to Mulgedio-Aconitetea, and the changes provided in the 4th edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature, four association names are here validated and the lectotype of Senecionion samniti alliance here designated.

Syntaxonomic notes on the order Ledo palustris–Laricetalia (Siberian boreal cryo-mesophilous larch forests): validation and description

Validation and description of new syntaxa of the boreal light coniferous forests of North Asia in the Braun-Blanquet system was carried out in accordance with the latest 4th edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. These are the alliance Ledo palustris–Laricion cajanderi Ermakov all. nov. and the order Ledo palustris–Laricetalia cajanderi Ermakov ord. nov. For all these syntaxa, the diagnostic species, peculiarities of ecology and phytocenotic structure, as well as geographical area are indicated. Prodromus of the validated order Ledo palustris–Laricetalia cajanderi is presented.

Ranunculetum mongolicin — новая ассоциация водной растительности из Республики Алтай

In the framework of the project “Classification of Vegetation of the Russian Federation” (Plugatar et al., 2020; Kipriyanova et al., 2021), a revision of the modern coenotic diversity of Russia, including aquatic vegetation, is being carried out. It turned out that the types of some plant communities have not yet been described, including the association with the dominance of the Ranunculus mongolicus (Krylov) Serg. Ranunculus mongolicus was first reported in the Flora of West Siberia (Flora..., 1931) by P. N. Krylov as a subspecies of the water buttercup R. aquatilis ssp. mongolicus Kryl. (Krylov, 1931), L. P. Sergievskaya raised the taxon rank to species (Sergievskaya, 1964). In the modern monographic treatment of aquatic buttercups, this taxon is given at the species rank (Wiegleb et al., 2017). It indicates that Ranunculus mongolicus is habitually similar to R. aquatilis, although smaller in all parts. Lamellar leaves are deeply dissected, peduncles are long, all parts of the plant are densely hairy. In arid regions, it behaves like an annual (Wiegleb et al., 2017). In the course of expedition work in 2020 in the Ulagan district of the Republic of Altai, five geobotanical descriptions of communities dominated by the Mongolian buttercup (see Table) were performed, and it was decided to describe a new association. The classification was carried out on the principles of the ecological-floristic approach of J. Braun-Blanquet in accordance with the Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (Theurillat et al., 2021). Ass. Ranunculetum mongolici ass. nov. unites the communities dominated by the Mongolian buttercup (Fig. 1, 2). The diagnostic species is Ranunculus mongolicus (= Batrachium mongolicum (Krylov) Krecz.). Nomenclature type of association (holotypus hoc loco) — relevé No 5 in the Table. Republic of Altai, Ulagan district, vicinity of the mouth of the Chulyshman River, the oxbow lake of the Chulyshman River, 21.08.2020, 51.33130 N 87.73750 E. Author — L. M. Kipriyanova. We attributed the new association to the alliance Batrachion aquatilis Passarge 1964 of the order Callitricho hamulatae–Ranunculetalia aquatilis Passarge ex Theurillat in Theurillat et al. 2015 of the class Potamogetonetea Klika in Klika et Novák 1941. The range of the community apparently coincides with the range of the species. In Asia, R. mongolicus is found in Siberia, the Russian Far East, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, China, and Nepal (Wiegleb et al., 2017). It is found along the west coast of North America where it is confused with R. aquatilis (as R. aquatilis var. aquatilis and R. aquatilis var. hispidulus); likewise, most South American “R. aquatilis” refers to R. mongolicus. (Wiegleb et al., 2017). In Eastern Siberia, R. mongolicus is rare and does not form communities (Chepinoga, 2015). In addition to the Mongolian buttercup communities from Ulagan district, there are publicly available photographs of cenoses with R. mongolicus taken by A. I. Pyak in the Kosh-Agach district of the Republic of Altai (valley of the Kyzylchin (Buguzun) River, 49.992579° N, 89.088472° E, 15.07.2007, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/99636689) (see Fig. 3). There are also photos of Yu. O. Kopylov-Guskov with thickets of Mongolian buttercup from the Republic of Tuva (Mongun-Taiginskiy district, 50.180458° N, 90.136025° E, 15.07.2016, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65270151) (see Fig. 4), such as A. L. Ebel photo from the Krasnoyarsk Territory (Kuraginskiy district, near the village of Kuragino, muddy bank of a channel of the Tuba River. 18.07.2018, 53.85932° N, 92.60829° E, https://www.plantarium.ru/page/image/id/719518.html) (see Fig. 5) In addition, R. mongolicus forms communities on the Taimyr Peninsula (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Khatanga River valley, Malaya Balakhnya oxbow lake, 22.08.2001, http://byrranga.ru/ranunculaceae/batrachium_aquatile/index.htm) (see Fig. 6). Thus, at the moment it is possible to speak about the communities of the Mongolian buttercup from the Republic of Altai, the Republic of Tuva and the Krasnoyarsk Territory. In the Republic of Altai, association communities are confined to flooded ecotopes, mainly with mineral (clay and sandy) silty substrates and depths from 20 to 60 cm in oligomesotrophic and mesotrophic cold-water reservoirs in the low-mountain and high-mountain belts of Altai, which makes it possible to attribute the association to the alliance Potamogetonion graminei Westhoff et Den Held 1969 combining the vegetation of rooted macrophytes of nutrient-poor (oligo-mesotrophic, sometimes dystrophic) shallow-water fresh water bodies of mountainous regions (Westhoff and Den Held, 1969; Mucina et al., 2016). However, the features of the ecology of communities throughout all the distribution area are not known yet, so for the time being we leave it in the alliance Batrachion aquatilis of the order Callitricho hamulatae–Ranunculetalia aquatilis.

Validation and mutation of the names of some syntaxa from the class Phragmito-Magnocaricetea

In this article, the association Alismato-Scirpetum sylvatici was validated according to the requirements of article 5 of the Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (edition 4) (CPSN 4th edition). Also the mutation of names (article 45 of CPSN-IV) of five syntaxa: Schoenoplectetum lacustris, Bolboschoeno fluviatilis–Zizanietum latifoliae, Petasition radiatae, Petasitetum radiatae and Arctophiletum fulvae was performed.

COMMUNITIES OF POTAMION MILJAN 1933 UNION ON THE TERRITORY OF NATIONAL NATURE PARK «РYRIATYNSKYI»

The communities of higher aquatic plants of National Nature Park (NPP) “Pyriatynskyi” have a high level of cenotic diversity, occupy large areas and ensure the sustainability of the ecosystem of the Uday River valley. Their inventory, classification and study of the structure are important for the development of effective protection measures and that is an urgent task of modern botany. We have investigated the plant communities of Potamion union (class Potametea Klika in Klika et Novak 1941, order Potametalia Koch 1926) on the territory of NPP “Pyriatynskyi” in 2012–2022 by carrying out the geobotanical descriptions within their natural boundaries. Projective coverage was recorded as a percentage with subsequent transformation into points. Their further processing was carried out by the capabilities of the JUICE software package. The nomenclature of syntaxons was consistent with the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. The results of research showed that Potamion union on the territory of NPP “Pyriatynskyi” is represented by 7 associations: Potametum natantis Hild 1959, Potametum graminei Lang 1967, Potametum lucentis Hueck 1931, Potametum perfoliati Miljan 1937, Elodeetum сanadensis Nedelcu 1967, Potamo pectinati–Myriophylletum spicati Rivas Goday 1967 and Potametum crispi von Soό 1927. Phytocoenoses of Potametum crispi, Potametum perfoliati, and Potametum natantis associations are the background communities of higher aquatic vegetation, while Potametum graminei and Potametum lucentis are rare in the studied area and do not occupy significant areas. Elodeetum sanadensis community is a reservoir for the spread of an invasive adventive species of North American origin Elodea canandensis with the ability to naturalize in natural ecosystems. Monitoring of their structure, chorology and dynamics is an important task for maintaining and preserving the species and coenotic diversity of NPP “Pyriatynskyi”.

Knowledge for a Better Conservation: Syntaxonomic Review of Caribbean Pine Forests (Cuba, Hispaniola)

A phytosociological review is carried out of the pine forest formations on the islands of Cuba and Hispaniola (Caribbean), due to the diversity of soils and environments. We collected 10 plant associations belonging to the class Byrsonimo-Pinetea caribaea growing on siliceous, calcareous and sandy substrates and 21 associations on special, serpentine and ophite substrates and on ultramafic rocks belonging to the class Caseario crassinervis-Pinetea cubensis, exclusive to Cuba; while the association of pine forests on serpentines in Hispaniola is included in the class Phyllantho orbicularis-Neobracetea valenzuelanae with a Caribbean distribution. The comparative phytosociological and statistical study reveals phytosociological anomalies in the inclusion of various syntaxa, and in the description of other syntaxa according to the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (ICPN). We therefore propose a change in status for several of the subassociations described: subass. ilicetosum repandae: syn. var. con Ilex repanda; subass. schmidtottietosum shaferi: syn. var. with Schmidtottia shaferi; subass. acrosynanthetosum trachyphylli: syn. var. with Acrosynanthus trachyphyllus; subass. psychotrietosum grandis: var. con Psychotria grandis; subass. notodonetosum roigii: syn. var. with Notodon roigii. We also propose a nomen novum: jaquinietosum oxhyphyllae Reyes & Acosta 2012 ex Cano et al. hoc loco.

РОСЛИННІСТЬ СОЮЗУ NYMPHAEION ALBAE OBERDORFER 1957 НАЦІОНАЛЬНОГО ПРИРОДНОГО ПАРКУ «ПИРЯТИНСЬКИЙ»

National Nature Park “Pyryatynsky” is a valuable reserve of flora and vegetation of the Left-Bank Dnipro. The extensive hydrological network of the Udai River and the wide representation within this nature reserve of floodplain reservoirs are the reason for the high diversity of plant communities of higher aquatic vegetation. In this article, we classified the communities of alliance Nymphaeion albae Oberdorfer 1957 in the National nature park "Pyryatynskyi" and identify the features of their syntaxonomic and ecological differentiation. The literature on this type of vegetation is fragmentary, without any geobotanical information and detailed characteristics of the structure of phytoceonoses, synecology and synchorology. All obtained results are based on original field data. In total, 46 geobotanical relieves were performed during the period 2010–2017. The description of communities was carried out within their natural boundaries. Treatment of fitosociological data was performed with the JUICE software package. The nomenclature of syntaxons was consistent with the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (ICFN).The alliance Nymphaeion albae Oberdorfer 1957 on the territory of NPP "Pyriatynsky" is represented by 4 associations Nymphaeo albae–Nupharetum luteae Nowinski 1927, Nymphaeetum albae Vollmar 1947, Nymphaeetum candidae Miljan 1958 and Potamo natantis–Persicarietum natantis Knapp et Stoffers 1962 nom. mutat. propos.This is first prodrome of alliance Nymphaeion albae Oberdorfer 1957 for the territory of National Nature Park “Pyryatynskyi”. The communities of this syntaxon occupy small areas and have a limited distribution in the region. Most of them are rare and vulnerable to changes in environmental conditions. Monitoring of their structure, chorology, and dynamics is an important task to maintain and preserve the species and coenotic diversity of NPP "Pyryatynsky".

Proposal (30) to conserve the name Polysticho setiferi-Fraxinetum excelsioris (Tüxen et Oberdorfer 1958) Rivas-Martínez ex Díaz et Fernández Prieto 1994 with a conserved type

Abstract: The association Polysticho setiferi-Fraxinetum excelsioris was described as a meso-eutrophic thermophilic forest dominated by common oak (Quercus robur) with a distribution that includes the Oviedo district in Asturias and the Basque-Cantabrian area (N Spain and SW France). However, when a lectotype was chosen to comply with Article 19 of the ICPN, a relevé dominated by beech was selected, which leads to interpretive problems. Given that the most widespread interpretation of this association in the phytosociological literature is the one established by its original authors (i.e., a meso-eutrophic oak-ash forest), we consider that this name should be retained, but its type should be changed to a conserved neotypus according to Article 53 of the 4th edition of the ICPN. (30) Polysticho setiferi-Fraxinetum excelsioris (Tüxen et Oberdorfer 1958) Rivas-Martínez ex Díaz et Fernández Prieto 1994 Typus: see below (typus cons. propos.) Taxonomic reference: Castroviejo et al. (1986–2021). Syntaxonomic reference: Rivas-Martínez (2011). Abbreviations: ICPN = International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature.