Systematic structure of the coenofloras of Greek juniper light forests of the Mountain Crimea

The objective of the study is to establish the features of the spatial-biotopic distribution of species composition and taxonomic groups of Greek juniper light forests of Crimea in order to clarify the degree and pattern of differentiation of these communities. Depending on the peculiarities of the species composition, location and type of underlying rock, the array of juniper woodlands was preliminarily divided into three groups (Baydarsko-Balaclavskaya, Western-South Coast, Eastern-South Coast) and six subgroups (Baydarskaya, Balaclavskaya, Western-South-Coast carbonate, Western-South-Coast non-carbonate, Eastern-South-Coast carbonate, Eastern-South-Coast non-carbonate). Separately, groups of the open forests were analyzed, identified by edaphic characteristics – those growing on limestone and those growing on non-carbonate rocks. In the course of research, the list of vascular plants of Greek juniper light forests of Crimea was clarified and supplemented. It currently includes 585 species and subspecies from 292 genera of 67 families. The species composition was determined, the systematic structure of coenofloras of the groups and subgroups was analyzed, they were compared in absolute and relative indices, and the specific species to each coenoflora were determined. This made it possible to identify the features of the species composition and structure of studied coenofloras depending on spatial and edaphic factors. Based on the floristic criterion, the boundaries between separate groups and subgroups of woodlands were clarified, and a map of their location was compiled. It has been established that the Western-South Coast group and the Western-South-Coast carbonate subgroup of juniper light forests are distinguished by the greatest floristic richness and specificity of the flora. It is concluded that it is advisable to consider the light forests of the Baydarskaya Valley and those of the environs of Balaclava as separate groups.

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