SYNTAXONOMY OF TUNDRA, CRYOPHYTIC STEPPE, NIVAL AND ALPINE MEADOWS IN THE HIGHLANDS OF THE SOUTHEAST ALTAI

Abstract

The material in this article supplements the results of the studies carried out by us earlier in the high mountains of the south-eastern Altai. Ten associations and 13 subassociations were described that are assigned to six classes of eco-floristic classification. Six associations and 13 subassociations are described the first time. Tundra vegetation is confined to northern slopes of ridges, while steppes occupy southern slopes of the mountains. Alpine altitudinal zone is dominated by Kobresia and Dryas tundra (associations Rhytidio rugosi-Oxytropidetum alpinae). In the subalpine zone dwarf birch thicket (ass. Hylocomio splendentis-Caricetum sabynensis) and dwarf birch tundra (ass. Aulacomnio turgidi-Lagotidetum integrifoliae) are common. This zone is also characterized by nival meadows (ass. Anthoxantho alpini-Schulzietum crinitae). Cryo-steppe belt is dominated by graminoid steppes (ass. Carici rupestris-Festucetum krylovianae) in its upper part, while in the lower part forb graminoid cryophytic steppes (ass. Poo attenuatae-Festucetum tschujensis) prevail. For the cryo-steppe belt species-rich alpine meadows (ass. Thalictro alpini-Trollietum asiatici, ass. Antennario dioicae-Pulsatilletum patentis) are also typical.