Poplar Forests of the Charysh, Biya and Katun Rivers, Altai Territory, Russia

Abstract

On a base of Braun-Blanquet vegetation classification, natural poplar (Populus laurifolia, Populus nigra) forests of the Charysh, Biya and Katun Rivers are defined. The forests are located in areas where the rivers exit from the Altai Mountains to Prealtai plain. The middle Charysh poplar forests known as association Populetum laurifolio-nigrae Taran (1997)2015 were studied near Trusovo (51°42'30'' N, 82°29'10'' E) and Ozerki (51°48'07'' N, 82°24'18'' E) villages, the lower Biya ones (ass. Viburno opuli-Populetum laurifoliae Taran 1997) were studied near Stan-Bekhtemir village (52°36'40'' N, 85°39'00'' E), the lower Katun ones (subass. Equiseto hyemalis-Populetum nigrae violetosum irinae Taran 1997) were studied near Talitsa village (52°23'36'' N, 85°40'30'' E). The forests species composition, phytocenotic structure, and habitat conditions are detailed defined. The review of the literature about forests dominated by Populus laurifolia is given. Poplar (Populus laurifolia, P. nigra) forests of the Ob River mountain tributaries form alliance Populion laurifolio-nigrae Taran 2015 (Salicetalia purpureae Moor 1958, Salicetea purpureae Moor 1958). The alliance areal envelopes mountain and piedmont reaches of river floodplains located on the north and west macroslopes of the Altai Mountains and also the Tom River upper course

Keywords

• populus laurifolia
• populus nigra
• syntaxonomy
• alluvial forests
• populus laurifolia
• populus nigra
• steppe zone