Eremeeva E.A., Leonova N.B. FLORISTIC DIVERSITY OF ISLAND PINE FORESTS OF ZAVOLZHSKO-KAZAKHSTAN STEPPE PROVINCE // Arid ecosystems. 2020. V. 26. № 4 (85). P. 18-25. | PDF

Island pine forests of the Zavolzhsko-Kazakhstan steep province as the part of the Eurasian steppe region with their high biodiversity have relic genesis. Thus, their research and problems of conservation are urgent under increasing anthropogenic impact and climate changes. The complex analysis of floristic diversity based on the data of authors’ field surveys and scientific publications has been conducted for the pine forests of Karkaralinsky, Buzuluksky Bor and Burabay national parks, Naurzum reserve and Kanonersky forestry. The research also included study of the Ilmen Reserve and Burlinsky ribbon-like relict pine forest, located near the northern boundary of the province. For the first time the data on the floristic diversity of all large pine massifs of the province are summarized in a geographical aspect in a single key. The similarity in the taxonomic, geographical, ecological-morphological and ecological-coenotic structure of the floristic composition of all disconnected from each other island pine forests may be explained by their historical connections and relic nature. The results of the correlation and cluster analysis of floristic lists showed varying degrees of similarity between different pine massifs due to specifics of physical and geographical conditions. Three groups of pine forests have been distinguished: а) pine forests of sandy massifs in Naurzum reserve and Kannonersky forestry having xerophilous features, poor floristic diversity and prevailing steppe plants turfy cereals; b) pine forests of granite massifs of the Kazakh small hills (Burabay, Karkaralinskyсос national parks) with moderate species richness; c) pine forests of Buzuluksky and Burlinsky forests with high floristic richness of forest species having northernmost position in the province.

Keywords: island pine forests, steppe province, taxonomical and typological species diversity, ranges, ecological and coenotic species groups.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2020-10114