Ecomers of the Dnister Canyon floodplain

Abstract

A syntaxonomic outline of the floodplain communities of the Dniester Canyon is presented it (comprised by 6 classes, 8 orders, 10 alliances, and 14 associations); their habitat structure is described as well. On the basis of the regular distribution of habitats, topological units of vegetation – ecomers are distinguished; these ecomers are represented by five sigma-syntaxa. The above typology of territorial units within mesocombinations reflects as much as possible the structure, biodiversity and their ecological-cenotic conditions. It is established that the Dniester floodplain is formed by two types of ecomers: herbaceous (a combination of habitats of water-fringing vegetation) and woodland (habitats of floodplain forests and shrubs). It is found that topological differentiation of ecomers is determined by soil humidity, damping variability, soil aeration and acidity, and anthropogenic activities (cutting, artificial change of hydrological regime).

Keywords

• biotope
• ecological-topological differentiation
• ecomers
• floodplain
• mesocombination