Floristic and ecological analysis of the Stipetum–Festucosum formation in the mountainous areas of Lerik region

Abstract

The Stipetum transcaucasica–Festucosum ovina association was identified in the vegetation of the Stipetum–Festucosum formation. A total of 29 species were recorded in the floristic composition of the formation, of which 5 species (17.2%) are shrubs, 2 species (6.9%) are subshrubs, 17 species (58.7%) are perennial herbs, 2 species (6.9%) are biennial herbs, and 3 species (10.3%) are annual herbs. As a result of the analysis by ecological groups, 15 of the species (51.7%) were characterized as xerophytes, 6 (20.7%) as mesoxerophytes, and 8 (27.6%) as mesophytes.

The dominant species in the formation was identified as Festuca ovina (abundance 3–4 points), and the subdominant was Stipa transcaucasica (2–3 points). There is no I-th tier in the structure of the phytocenosis, the main plants are concentrated in II and III tiers. In the II tier, the shrubs are mainly Astracantha aurea, in the subshrubs Stachys inflata, and in the perennial herbs Stipa transcaucasica, Phleum pratense, Achillea millefolium, Alchemilla oxysepala, Nepeta sulphurea and other species. In the III (lower) tier, Festuca ovina, Poa pratensis, Teucrium orientalis, Trisetum rigidum, Euphorbia hyrcana and other species are present.

The total projected cover of the phytocenosis across floors is 60–80%, indicating that the formation is characterized by dense grass cover.