Ecological and biomorphological features of the steppe communities of the central part of the Piedmont Crimea

Abstract

The article analyzes the syntaxonomic structure of the steppe communities of the central foothill part of the Crimea. They belong to the class Festuco-Brometea Br.-BI. et R.Tx., two orders, two unions and two sub-unions, five associations. For coenoflora at the level of associations of ecological-floristic classification, a detailed systematic, arealogical, ecological-biomorphological analysis was carried out for the first time. The most significant differences in the structure of the communities of steppe vegetation described on the basis of ecological-floristic classification are revealed. Significant participation in the formation of communities of species of Mediterranean origin and shrubs has been established. Moreover, unlike the rest of the communities, the associations of Asphodelinetum tauricae Didukh 1983 association are characterized by the dominance of these floral elements in their structure. The steppe communities of the studied region are characterized by significant xerophytization of the vegetation cover.