Юг России: экология, развитие (Mar 2016)

BIODIVERSITY OF OROBIOMES IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS ON THE BIOME MAP OF RUSSIA

  • G. N. Ogureeva

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18470/1992-1098-2016-1-21-36
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 21 – 36

Abstract

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The aim is to introduce the concept of biogeographical map "Biomes of Russia" (m 1:.7.500000), scientific and methodological principles of the development of its content, the selection of indicators to characterize the biodiversity of the regional biomes and mark its place and role in the development of biogeography as well as biogeographical mapping and in terms of practical application as in education, in the sustainable development of the regions and for solving the problems in the field of nature and environmental protection.Materials and methods. Map is based on the classification of terrestrial ecosystems (biomes) and eco-geographical approach to their subordination on different levels of organization of the biotic cover.Results. We have displayed on the map the differentiation of the country on the composition of ecosystems and their biodiversity at the regional level. Biomes at the regional level are central to the study and are mapping units. Legend includes 35 lowland biomes and 31 orobiomes (in the mountains). A characteristic has been made up for each biome, which includes indicators of moisture and heat supply, the number of species of vascular plants, mosses and lichens, terrestrial vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians). To illustrate this, there is the characteristic of the 3 orobiomes of the North Caucasus.Conclusion. Using biomes as supporting biodiversity accounting units enables the integrated analysis of botanical and zoogeographic information about biota, as well as the dual study of biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem. The current state of biomes is defined by two interrelated processes of transformation and modification of ecosystems and the reduction or loss of biological diversity. Map of regional biomes can serve as a basis for further research on the biome biodiversity on species and ecosystem levels; as the inventory of the biota and the creation of databases on species and cenotic diversity of biomes; for the development and justification of environmental protection measures.

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