Syntaxonomy of segetal vegetation of the Crimea on the using cluster analysis

Abstract

Aims. To make adjustments to the higher classification units of segetal vegetation of the Crimean peninsula based on the application of cluster analysis and modern conceps of syntaxonomy. Materials and methods. The analysis is based on 2876 own descriptions made in 1993-2011, 748 descriptions from the phyto-coenotic base of Flora and Vegetation Department of the Nikita Botanical Gardens, compiled in the 1960-1970s, and the descriptions from other literature sources. Results.The results of segetal vegetation studies of annual (cereal and tilled crops) and perennial (vineyards, orchards, plantations of essential-oil rose and lavender) of arable lands of the Crimean peninsula are presented. On the basis of the analysis the differentiation of communities on agrocoenotific gradient has been performed. Changes have been made to the classification scheme at the level of classes and orders. Crimean weedy communities are united in 51 associations, 15 alliances, 7 orders and 4 classes (Stellarietea mediae, Artemisietea vulgaris, Sisymbrietea, Oryzetea sativae).