UDC 582.572.226(575.2) (04)

Kendirbaeva A.Zh., Shalpykov K.T., Rogova N.A., Dolotbakov A.K., Chyngyz U.-U. STATE OF WILD TULIPS OF THE NORTHERN MACROSLOPE OF THE KYRGYZ ALA-TOO IN RELATION TO THE PROBLEM OF THEIR DISAPPEARANCE // Arid Ecosystems. 2022. Vol. 28. № 4 (93). P. 91-103. | PDF

Kyrgyzstan is very rich in bulbous plants. In general, ephemeroids in Kyrgyzstan are widespread and belong to different taxa (families, tribes, and genera). The article discusses the current state of tulips on the northern macroslope of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too. Strong polymorphism, frequent hybridizations, especially among tulips, as well as change in the color of flowers during drying of the herbarium make scientific identification of individual species quite difficult. The article presents results of initial research on the annual conservation regime of the tulip population in the eastern region of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too. According to the obtained data, tulips are responsive to the conservation regime.

Vegetation monitoring was carried out on test plots, which were established in 2019, as well as on control plots. All plots are of the same dimension (10 x 10 m2). 5 test plots, which were fenced with chain-link mesh to protect against livestock, were allocated for semi-stationary monitoring. To analyze comparative characteristics and identify the stage of demutation of test plots, monitoring of 10 control plots was carried out in identical adjacent territories.

The number of wild tulips in the test plots fenced a year ago is much higher than in the control plots. The conservation regime for one year had a positive effect on the vegetation cover of the mid-mountain belt. In a short period of time, the demutation stage is observed for the entire floristic composition of the communities. The short-term (1-year) conservation regime had a positive effect on the floristic composition of the communities, the projective cover of the herbage, the increase in the abundance of wild tulips, and contributed to the accumulation of steppe mat.

Keywords: ephemeroids, tulip, subendemics, anthropogenic impact, test plot, control plot, fruit-bearing specimens, fencing, demutation, total projective cover.

Funding: All activities in the field were carried out as part of the «Protection of wild tulips and support of pasture communities in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan» project. The work was carried out jointly with partner organizations: the branch of «Fauna and Flora International» in the Kyrgyz Republic, the «Bioresurs» Public Foundation, and the «Association of Forest and Land Users of Kyrgyzstan,» with financial support from the Darwin Initiative program of the UK Government.

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2022-4-91-103

EDN: LKQPLY