This article provides information about the discovery of new and rare plant species in the Caspian region and Southwest Asia. In total, the article presents new findings for 19 species of vascular plants from 5 countries, registered during field research, as well as during the revision of herbarium materials. For the first time, Lycium ruthenicum is reported for the flora of Armenia. A new record for the flora of Russia is Valeriana plagiostephana collected from the territory of Dagestan, and Gelasia tuberosa is for the first time reported for the flora of Turkmenistan. The remaining 16 findings, while not new to the countries, significantly expand the understanding of the distribution of these species. Thus, for the flora of Armenia, new locations of some rare and alien species are given that complement existing information ( Foeniculum vulgare, Tripidium ravennae, Eleusine indica, Bothriochloa bladhii, Cleistogenes serotina, Adiantum capillus-veneris, Dianthus transcaucasicus). In Iran, three species ( Chaerophyllum aureum, Heliotropium circinatum, and Bryonia monoica) are reported for the first time for Kurdistan (Western Iran) and one species ( Haplophyllum canaliculatum) for Sistan and Baluchistan (Southeastern Iran). For the first time, Crassula vaillantii and Marsilea strigosa are indicated for the Atyrau Region of Kazakhstan. Bupleurum tenuissimum is given for the first time for the flora of Dagestan (Russian Federation). In Turkmenistan, a new location of the rare species Jurinea transhyrcanica was discovered for the first time in the western part of the Central Karakum, and a population of Crataegus germanica, which was considered extinct, was discovered in the South-Western Kopet Dag. For each species information on location, general distribution, occupied habitats and population status is provided.

На основании исследований биоты агарикоидных базидиомицетов Южной Сибири приводятся сведения о морфологии, распространении и экологической приуроченности для 3 новых для микобиоты Сибири видов агарикомицетов: Hemimycena tortuosa (P.D. Orton) Redhead, Entoloma formosum (Fr.) Noordel., E. sublaevisporum Vila, Noordel. et O.V. Morozova, обнаруженных в степных и лесных сообществах Западной и Восточной Сибири. Вид Hemimycena tortuosa также является новым для территории России. Based on studies of the biota of agaricoid basidiomycetes in Southern Siberia, information is provided on the morphology, distribution and ecological association of 3 new agaricomycete species for the mycobiota of Siberia: Hemimycena tortuosa (P.D. Orton) Redhead, Entoloma formosum(Fr.) Noordel., E. sublaevisporum Vila, Noordel. et O.V. Morozova, found in steppe and forest communities of Western and Eastern Siberia. The species Hemimycena tortuosa is also new to Russia.The specimens of this species are kept in the Herbarium of M.G. Popov of the Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS (NSK). Key words: Agaricales, Entolomataceae, Mycenaceae, agaricoid basidiomycetes, mycological findings, Kemerovo Region, Trans-Baikal Territory, Russia.

В статье описаны две новые ассоциации, относящиеся к опустыненным степям юго-востока европейской части России. Валидизированы описанные ранее синтаксоны, представляющие: субальпийские луга восточных предгорий Полярного Урала и северо-западной части плато Путорана, высокогорные кустарниковые сообщества нагорья Сангилен, остепненные луга межгорных котловин Тывы, Хакасии и юга Красноярского края. Приведены данные по распространению, экологии, составу и структуре сообществ. Two new associations representing desert steppes of the south-east of European Russia have been described in the alliance Tanaceto achilleifolii-Stipion lessingianae (Festuco-Brometea). Асс. Carici stenophyllae-Poetum bulbosae Korolyuk ass. nov. (Suppl., Table 1, rel. 1-22) represents desert steppes dominated by semischrubs and bunchgrasses common in the Volga and Don basins on plains and river terraces. Diagnostic species (D. s.): Anisantha tectorum, Carex stenophylla, Erophila verna, Gagea bulbifera, Lappula patula, Leymus ramosus, Limonium sareptanum, Veronica verna.

В статье представлены результаты анализа демографической структуры ценотических популяций Hedysarum sangilense Krasnob. et Timoch. в условиях высокогорного плато Сангилен (Юго-Восточная Тува). Изучены эколого-ценотическая приуроченность, онтогенез, онтогенетическая и виталитетная структура семи ценопопуляций этого субэндемичного вида. Установлено, что на исследованной территории вид приурочен к кобрезиевникам и дриадовым тундрам в пределах альпийского пояса и к кустарниковым зарослям в лесном поясе. При изучении демографической структуры выявлено, что для большинства ценотических популяций характерны левосторонние спектры с преобладанием ювенильных, виргинильных и, чаще всего, молодых генеративных растений. В условиях нарушенных фитоценозов (восстанавливающихся после пожаров) формируются левосторонние спектры с максимумом на молодых генеративных растениях. Среди виталитетных типов ценопопуляций H. sangilense преобладают депрессивный и равновесный. Достаточно высокая реальная семенная продуктивность в течение длительного генеративного периода обеспечивает самоподдержание популяций H. sangilense в условиях высокогорных растительных сообществ нагорья Сангилен. The article presents the results of the analysis of the demographic structure of the coenotic populations of Hedysarum sangilense Krasnob. et Timoch. on the high-altitude Sangilen plateau (South-Eastern Tuva). The ecological-coenotic association, ontogenesis, ontogenetic and vital structure of 7 populations of this subendemic species were studied. It is established that in the studied territory the species is confined to the communities with Kobresia and dryad tundras within the alpine belt and to the shrubby thickets in the forest belt. Study of the demographic structure revealed that the majority of coenotic populations are characterized by left-sided age spectra with a predominance of juvenile, virginal and, most often, young generative plants. In conditions of disturbed phytocenoses (recovering from fires), left-sided spectra are formed with a maximum on generative young plants. Among the vitality of the types of populations of H. sangilense is dominated by depressive and equilibrium types. Sufficiently high real seed productivity and a long generative period ensure the self-maintenance of H. sangilense populations in the conditions of high-altitude plant communities of the Sangilen highlands.

First records for Russia of naviculoid diatom from the Yaroslavl Region, and micromycetes from the Republic of North Ossetia — Alania, green alga for the Leningrad Region and Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, fragilarioid diatom for the Kaliningrad Region, red alga for the Nizhny Novgorod Region, cyanoprokaryota for the Leningrad Region and Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, and crustaceous red alga for the Autonomous Republic of Adjara of Georgia, macromycetes for the Leningrad Region, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area — Yugra, Republic of Tuva, Trans-Baikal Territory, myxomycetes for the Trans-Baikal Territory, lichens and allied fungi for the Murmansk and Tver regions, republics of Karelia and Tuva, Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area, Altai and Khabarovsk territories, cyanolichen for the Urals and the Orenburg Region, mosses for the Lipetsk Region, republics of Ingushetia and Buryatia, Krasnoyarsk and Trans-Baikal territories are presented. The data on their localities, habitats, distribution are provided. The specimens are kept in the herbaria ALTB, GSU, IBIW, IRK, KPABG, LE, MHA, MW, NNSU, NSK, PZV, TBI, UUH, VU, YSU, and the Diatom collection of the Laboratory for Algology of IBIW RAS. Sequences of 16S, and 16S–23S ITS cyanobacterial RNA regions, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 fungal and ITS1-2 moss nrDNA regions of some specimens have been deposited in the GenBank.

The syntaxonomic diversity of forest meadows at the Ob-Inya watershed was studied within the Novosibirsk Region. The territory is a part of the Sokur elevation, which approaches the Salair ridge in the south-east. Common is the erosion of the landscape reflected in dense network of river valleys and draws. The vegetation is transitional between subtaiga and forest steppe (Reverdatto, 1931; Vandakurova, 1957; Kuminova, 1973; etc.). Forest meadows (the order Carici macrourae–Crepidetalia sibiricae Ermakov et al. 1999 of the class Molinio-Arrhenatheretea R. Tx. 1937) occur on the edges and glades of grassy aspen and birch forests and are an element of vegetation of both forest steppe zone and the subtaiga subzone. Their set of species and syntaxonomic diversity reflect the soil and climatic conditions of the location and may serve as a criteria for defining the zonal and subzonal borderlines. The aim of the study was to reveal and to characterize the syntaxonomic diversity of the forest meadows of the Ob-Inya watershed. The studies were conducted at the territories of the Novosibirsk, Moshkovo, and Bolotnoye districts. 114 reléves served as a basis for the study. Forest meadows are represented by 2 associations, 2 subassociations, 2 variants and 2 communities from 2 suballiances of the alliance Crepidion sibiricae Mirkin ex Ermakov et al. 1999 (Table 1). Communities of the ass. Crepidetum sibiricae Dymina ex Ermakov et al. 1999 are most common, and occur everywhere in the studied area (Table 2). The association is represented by two subassociations differing by the degree of the moisture content in the habitats. Communities of the subass. typicum occur in depressed highly moistered landscapes primarily in the axial part of the Sokur elevation and in the north-eastern regions of the Ob-Inya watershed. A new subass. Crepidetum sibiricae fragarietosum viridis subass. nov. uniting more xerophytic communities which are uniformly dispersed over the territory in well-drained flat and convex parts of the watershed and on the gentle slopes of the draws. Character for these is participation of xeromesophytes from the diagnostic combination of dry forest meadows of the suballiance Aconito barbati–Vicenion unijugaeKorolyuk et al. 2016. The nomenclature type of the subassociation (holotypus): Table 2, rel. 17 (field number Z20-021), Novosibirsk region, Bolotnoye district, near the Kozlovka village, 55.86934° N, 84.15000° E, 31.08.2020, the author E. G. Zibzeev. Under the increased grazing pressure on the communities of the subass. C. s. fragarietosum viridis, pasture meadows of the var. Poa angustifolia, mostly dominating by Poa angustifolia,were formed near the settlements of the south-western part of the Sokur elevation. There are some meadow-forest plants of the alliance Crepidion sibiricae of the order Carici macrourae–Crepidetalia sibiricae in such communities. A new forest meadow ass. Galatello biflorae–Artemisietum macranthae ass. nov. (Table 3) unites dry forest meadows occurring on the upper parts of the convex slopes of the draws of sunlit exposures in the axial part of the Sokur elevation The communities developed under conditions ecologically closed to these of the subass. Crepidetum sibiricaefragarietosum viridis meadows have more xerophytic composition: the tall-forb species are absent; the abundance and continuity of the meadow mesophytes is lower, while the proportion of meadow-steppe elements is higher. The nomenclature type (holotypus): Table 3, rel. 1 (field number mr20-033), Novosibirsk region, Moshkovo district, the area near the Verkh-Balta village, 55.32588° N, 83.76177° E, 30.08.2020, the author M. P. Tishchenko. This association may be considered as subtaiga variant of the dry forest meadows at the Ob-Inya watershed (the right-bank region of the Ob River). For the species composition and environmental occurrence, communities are similar to the these of the ass. Aegopodio podagrariae–Brachypodietum pinnati Tishchenko et al. 2015 from the subtaiga of the left-bank region of the Ob River. Xeromesophytes as well the hygrophilous species growing in the subtaiga forests are common in their coenofloras. The communities of the ass. Galatello biflorae–Brachypodietum pinnati Korolyuk 1998 on the left-bank region of the Ob River and of the ass. Filipendulo vulgaris–Brachypodietum pinnati Makunina et al. 2010 (Korolyuk, Kipriyanova, 1998; Makunina, 2016) in the right-bank region, occur in similar forest-steppe habitats. In the elevated sites of the central part of the Ob-Inya watershed and in the right-bank region of the Inya River, dry forest meadows of community Iris ruthenica are described (Table 4, rel. 1–6). Character for these is participation of Iris ruthenica and Filipendula vulgaris, rare in the studied area. The community Carex praecox (Table 4, rel. 7–10) includes the forest meadows of the driest habitats, where some steppe species are found. The communities occur in the eastern part of the Ob-Inya watershed on the steep southern and south-western slopes into the valley of the Iksa River, the tributary of the Ob River, in their upper part. To summarize, the forest meadows of the region have more mesophytic composition compared to the forest-steppe communities: no xerophytes and many meadow-steppe species (Peucedanum morisonii, Ligularia glauca, Adonis vernalis, Campanula altaica, Dianthus superbus et al.) common in forest meadows in the forest-steppe zone. The Ob-Inya watershed forest meadow syntaxonomy is rather peculiar, compare to the forest-steppe zone.

© 2021 г. А. Ю. Королюк1,*, С. А. Сенатор2,**, В. М. Васюков3,***, Е. Г. Зибзеев1,**** 1 Центральный сибирский ботанический сад СО РАН ул. Золотодолинская, 101, Новосибирск, 630090, Россия 2 Главный ботанический сад им. Н.В. Цицина РАН Ботаническая ул., 4, Москва, 127276, Россия 3 Институт экологии Волжского бассейна РАН ул. Комзина, 10, Тольятти, 445003, Россия *e-mail: akorolyuk@rambler.ru **e-mail: stsenator@yandex.ru ***e-mail: vvasjukov@yandex.ru ****e-mail: egzibzeev@gmail.com Поступила в редакцию 20.05.2020 г. После доработки 07.10.2020 г. Принята к публикации 14.10.2020 г.

The paper presents a detailed ecological and caenotic characteristic of dwarf shrub and shrub communities growing in the highmountain belt of the Sangilen Plateau. The communities investigated were referred to the class of Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea Eggler 1952. The dwarf birch thickets with prevalence of Betula rotundifolia and the high incidence of Caragana jubata , Juniperus pseudosabina , J . sibirica , Pentaphylloides fruticosa , Salix glauca , Spiraea alpina were referred to the union of Carici tristis–Betulion rotundifoliae Zibzeev et al. 2018 of the order of Betuletalia rotundifoliae Mirkin at al. ex Chytrý Pešout et Anenkhonov 1993. Communities with dominant calciphilous shrubs and dwarf shrubs, such as Rhododendron adamsii, Caragana jubata, Salix berberifolia, S. reticulata , were referred to the union of Saxifrago oppositifoliae–Rhododendrion adamsii Zibzeev et al. 2018 of the order of Rhododendro-Vaccinietalia Br.-Bl. ex Daniels 1994.

Floristic classification of the cryopetrophytic alpine communities of the Altai-Sayan mountain system have been performed. The Rhodioletea quadrifidae Hilbig 2000 class of the Altai-Sayan mountain system includes two order, one alliance and six associations. We were described new order (Valerianetalia petrophyllae order nova prov.) and three associations (Ranunculo akkemensis-Valerianetum petrophilae ass. nova prov., Mesostemmo martjanovii-Leiosporetum exscapae ass. nova prov., Potentillo biflorae-Sibbaldietum tetrandrae ass. nova prov.) These associations include communities with a predominance of Asian alpine and arctalpine petrophytes.

The class Salicetea herbaceae Br.-Bl. 1948 includes arctic and alpine-subnival snow-bed communities of Eurasia and the Arctic Ocean islands (Mucina et al., 2016). The coenoflora of these communities is formed by psychrophilous and chionophilous mesophytic species. R. V. Kamelin (2005) who named these as alpine grass carpets (Kryonanocoryphion eurasiaticum), noted that this type of vegetation is characteristic of the Altai-Sayan mountain region, where alpine carpets are the highest floristic diversity in Asia. The snow-bed communities occupy macro- and megachionic ecotops (Kholod, 1993) in sites with excessive accumulation of snow in winter, which is preserved in the summer in the form of snow-beds. Usually snow-bed communities cover patches from several tens to several hundred square meters. The habitats of these communities are characterized by: 1) short ve­getation period due to the long period of the thick snow cover (up to 5 m) melting; 2) cold moistening during the most part of growing season because the melting of snow, and the inflow of water from nearby or underground springs; 3) no genesis of bog soils (Sedelnikov, 2017). Earlier syntaxa of the class Salicetea herbaceae were considered as a part of the alliance Salicion tur­czaninowii Ishbirdin in Ishbirdin et al. 1996, the order Salicetalia herbaceae Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et Jenny 1926. 105 relevés were sampled in 1998–2015 (Fig. 1), also we used 28 relevés published earlier (Chytrý, et al., 1995; Danihelka, Chytrý, 1995; Korolyuk, 2001; Telyatnikov et Mamakhatova, 2011; Ermakov, Zibzeev, 2012; Telyatnikov, 2013). An analysis of the coenoflora of the alpine-subnival snow-bed communities revealed the dominance of high-altitude species with a South Siberian and ­Central Asian areal (Aquilegia glandulosa, Carex altaica, Dracocephalum grandiflorum, Festuca kryloviana, Gentiana grandiflora, Hedysarum austrosibiricum, Luzula sibirica, Solidago dahurica, Tripleurospermum ambiguum, Veronica densiflora, Viola altaica). High constancy and often domination by shrubs of the genus Salix (Salix berberifolia, S. rectijulis и S. turczaninowii) are common for these communities. The originality of species composition of the chionophilic meadows of the North Mongolia and East Kazakhstan allowed to suggest the new order Sibbaldio procumbentis–Ranunculetalia altaici ord. nov. hoc loco and two alliances: Ranunculion altaici all. nov. hoc loco and Salicion turczaninowii Ishbirdin in Ishbirdin et al. 1996. The snow-bed communities are included in five associations (three ones are new), two subassociations, and two variants. The order Sibbaldio procumbentis–Ranunculetalia altaici ord. nov. hoc loco (Table 2) includes the snow-bed communities of South Siberia, North Mongolia and East of Kazakhstan. They occupy the lower part of the mountain-tundra belt in habitats with thick snow cover in winter which does not completely melt in summer. The asian-alpine species dominate in the coenoflora of these meadows. Diagnostic species: Anthoxanthum alpinum, Aquilegia glandulosa, Gentiana grandiflora, Lescuraea saxicola, Luzula sibirica, Salix rectijulis, Schulzia crinita, Veronica alpina, V. densiflora, Viola altaica. There are two meadow types: on snow-beds with constant cold wetting, and close of snow-beds or in places with high snow cover depth and variable wetting. We propose to put the first group into the alliance Ranunculion altaici all. nov. hoc loco, the second one in Salicion turczaninowii Ishbirdin in Ishbirdin et al. 1996. The alliance Ranunculion altaici includes nival meadows dominated by Ranunculus altaicus and R. sulphureus (Table 2). It is widespread in the mountains of South Siberia, North Mongolia, and East Kazakhstan. At present, the alliance includes one ass. Polytricho sexangularis–Ranunculetum altaici (Fig. 4). They occupy site of snow-beds with constant high cold moisture during the whole vegetation period. Alliance Salicion turczaninowii Ishbirdin in Ishbirdin et al. 1996, based on the analysis of ass. Salici turczaninowii–Sibbaldietum procumbentis Danihelka et Chytrý 1995 from Barguzin Range (Danihelka, Chytrý, 1995), encompasses chionophilous communities of the South Siberian mountains (Ishbirdin et al., 1996). The diagnostic species are widespread in the Altai-Sayan mountain region and Transbaikalia: Carex aterrima, Ranunculus altaicus, Salix turczaninowii,and Viola altaica. The alliance includes 3 new associations (Bistorto viviparae–Salicetum turczaninowii, Doronico altaici–Sibbaldietum procumbentis, Vaccinio myrtilli–Sibbaldietum procumbentis). Ass. Bistorto viviparae–Salicetum turczanino­wii ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 2; Table 3, N 1–5, holotypus — N 5) — snow-bed communities with Salix turczaninowii and Sibbaldia procumbens dominance. Its area encompasses the humid part of Altai-Sayan mountain region. Diagnostic species: Antennaria dioica, Bistorta vivipara, Carex tristis, Festuca kryloviana, Hedysarum austrosibiricum, Minuartia biflora, Saxifraga sibirica. Communities occur on leveled or convex parts of the slopes, small terraces at the altitudes from 2230 to 2500 m. Rocks and rubbles cover up to 30 % of the surface. Асс. Doronico altaici–Sibbaldietum procumbentis ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 2; Table 3, N 6–16, holotypus — N 12, Fig. 5) includes snow-bed communities with alpine (Anemonastrum narcissiflorum, Aquilegia glandulosa, Callianthemum sajanense, Doronicum altaicum, Dracocephalum grandiflorum, Swertia obtusa, Tripleurospermum ambiguum, Veronica densiflora) and subalpine (Geranium albiflorum, Trollius asiaticus) species. These species are common in the class Mulgedio-Aconitetea Hadač et Klika in Klika et Hadač 1944. Diagnostic species: Bergenia crassifolia, Callianthemum sajanense, Doronicum altaicum, Dracocephalum grandiflorum, Geranium albiflorum, Tripleurospermum ambiguum, Trollius asiaticus, Veronica densiflora. Асс. Vaccinio myrtilli–Sibbaldietum procumbentis ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 2; Table 4, N 1–41, holotypus — N 5; Fig. 6) includes snow-bed communities dominated by Sibbaldia procumbens and Vaccinium myrtillus. We met these communities in the upper part of subalpine and the lower part of alpine belt in the West and East Sayans, Kuznetsk Alatau, West and Central Altai. The diagnostic group of species is represented by Omalotheca norvegica, Polytrichastrum sexangulare, Sibbaldia procumbens, Solidago dahurica, Vaccinium myrtillus. We proposed 2 subassociations within this syntaxon: V. m.–S. p. typicum (Table 2; Table 4, N 1–15, 31–41, holotypus — N 5) and V. m.–S. p. diphasiastretosum alpini (Table 2; Table 4, N 16–30, holotypus — N 24). The ass. Swertio obtusae–Caricetum tristis Telyatnikov et Mamakhatova 2011 was described in the South-East Altai (Telyatnikov, Mamakhatova, 2011). It includes grass-sedge-forb and willow-lichen-forb alpine meadows dominated by Gentiana algida, Bistorta vivipara, B. major, Carex tristis, Swertia obtusa, Lagotis integrifolia. Ass. Swertio obtusae–Caricetum tristis differs in species richness and floristic composition from other alliance associations. The cluster analysis (Fig. 3) verified this fact: there are 2 specific groups, corresponding to 2 classes. The core of coenoflora of the class Salicetea herbaceae are species of nival and hemichionophilous habitats (Aquilegia glandulosa, Carex altaica, Carex aterrima, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Gentiana grandiflora, Kiaeria starkei, Lescuraea saxicola, Omalotheca norvegica, Salix turczaninowii, Sibbaldia procumbens, Ranunculus altaicus, Veronica densiflora, Viola ­altaica). Arctic-alpine tundra species of the Сarici rupestris–Kobresietea bellardii Ohba 1974 class(Comastoma tenellum, Gentiana algida, Kobresia myosuroides, Potentilla nivea, etc.) as well as its common species (Erigeron eriocalyx, Eritrichium villosum, Festuca sphagnicola, Gastrolychnis apetala, Leontopodium ochroleucum, Potentilla gelida, Thalictrum alpinum) forms communities of the ass. Swertio obtusae–Caricetum tristis. That is why it should not be attributed to the class Salicetea herbaceae. The analysis of nival meadow coenofloras (Fig. 3a) showed the codominance of the North Asian (30 %), Holarctic (22 %) and South Siberian (22 %) species groups. Alpine (36 %) and arcto-alpine (20 %) belt-zonal ones (Fig. 3б) dominate in coenoflora of chionophilous meadows. Three floristic complexes proved to form the base of the coenoflora of nival meadows: arctic-alpine types of Holarctic distribution; alpine species both from the North Asian ranges and South Siberia, North Mongolia and East Kazakhstan (Sedelnikov, 2017).

The article presents the results of the analysis of the demographic structure of ten coenotic populations of Oxytropis chakassiensis in near-Yenissei steppes (Khakassia and Krasnoyarsk krai). Most part of studied species coenopopulations are not complete and definitive, normal, mature, have a bimodal developmental spectrum with peaks at g1 (v)- and g3-individuals. Changes in the structure of the ontogenetic spectrum (increasing the share of young plants) depend mainly on the environmental conditions and the degree of human disturbance of habitats: rocky slopes and decrease in pasture digression create more favorable conditions for the survival of juveniles. The ontogeny of O. chakassiensis (the rare species of near-Yenissei steppes) was studied and its life- form was described. Four periods and nine ontogenic stages were distinguished. The results of our study showed that O. chakassiensisis was a petrophyte steppe species with strict ecological and cenotic propensity to petrophytic steppe with the prevalence Koeleria cristata, Festuca valesiaca, Arctogeron gramineum, Hedysarum turczaninovii, Alyssum obovatum and Thymus minussinensis. Due to long generative period O. chakassiensis is successfully renewed and is stable during long periods of extreme conditions of petrophytic steppes with high pasture digression.

«Dyakovskiy forest» (Saratov Region) is a unique natural phenomenon. It is located in the transitional zone between dry and desert steppes. Vegetation of this territory is represented by steppes and meadows, as well as small patches of deciduous forests. (Fig. 2) The sand massif is located far from nearest localities of the sandy steppes to the west of the Volga River (Fig. 1). «Dyakovskiy forest» is the unique southern forest outpost in European Russia, supposedly of relict origin (Shilova, Neronov, 2010). Sandy steppes were studied in May 2018. 16 relevés were performed on 10×10 m plots. We compared the communities from «Dyakovskiy forest» with the associations of the class Festucetea vaginatae Soó ex Vicherek 1972 from the southeast of the European Russia and Ukraine. For classification and comparative analysis we used cluster analysis in the PAST software (Hammer et al., 2001). The IBIS 7.2 was used for data storage and processing (Zverev, 2007). Cluster analysis revealed differentiation patterns of psammophytic vegetation (Fig. 3). The central part of the dendrogram is occupied by sandy steppes dominated by perennial grasses (cluster 1). These communities form the prevailing plant communities in the study area; they represent the final stages of sand stabilization. Five species determine the physiognomy of the sandy steppes of the «Dyakovskiy forest»: Artemisia marschalliana, Chamaecytisus borysthenicus, Festuca beckeri, Jurinea polyclonos, Stipa borysthenica. The first cluster was divided into two groups of relevés, representing different stages of sand stabilization. The first group is characterized by high activity of bunchgrasses: Agropyron fragile, Poa bulbosa,and Stipa borysthenica. It is also indicated by the presence of common steppe plants: Allium tulipifolium, Artemisia austriaca, Carex supina, Centaurea pseudomaculosa, Eremogone biebersteinii, Galium ruthenicum, Veronica verna. The second group is distinguished by the high frequency of obligate psammophytes: Tragopogon tanaiticus, Linaria dulcis, Leymus racemosus, and Secale sylvestre. The prevalence of these species allows interpreting the second group as a stage of relatively less fixed sands. Communities with the dominance of annual plants are grouped in the right part of the dendrogram (cluster 2). Now these communities can occur only in disturbed places, for example on a plowed strips protecting «Dyakovskiy forest» from fires. One relevé represents scrub communities that inhabit relatively well-moistened depressions. Thus, the dendrogram structure reflect the main patterns in species composition, associated with sand fixation chronosequence — from stage of annual psammophytes to stage of bunchgrasses and shrubs. To determine the syntaxonomical status of sandy steppes in the system of floristic classification, the earlier described associations of the class Festucetea vaginatae were analyzed. On the dendrogram all associations are united in three groups (Fig. 4). The most numerous first group represents communities from Azov and Black Sea coasts. The second group includes intercontinental sandy steppes. The third group of four associations is transitional, geographically it represents the Aleshkovskiye sands from Don River valley close to its estuary. Steppes from the «Dyakovskiy forest» are the closest to their analogues from Orenburg Region (Dulepova et al., 2018), while a comparison of their species composition shows significant differences (Table 2). Their similarity is determined by a group of common psammophytic species, most of them involved in the diagnosis of the class Festucetea vaginatae, its central order Festucetalia vaginatae Soό 1957 and the alliance Festucion beckeri Vicherek 1972 (Vicherek, 1972). A series of close associations was described from the territory of the Rostov Region (Demina, 2009; Demina et al., 2012). Two associations from the Peskovatskiy sand massif (Rostov Region) were used in the cluster analysis. The level of similarity of these associations with the Saratov and Orenburg associations is low. Thus, the peculiarity of the species composition of the described sandy steppes allows to attribute them to a new association. Association Thymo pallasiani–Festucetum beckeri ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 1: 2–13), holotypus hoc loco: relevé 10 (field number 18-088): Saratov Region (border with Volgograd Region), Krasnokutskiy district, 7 km SW from Dyakovka village, sands, 50.70002º N, 46.68761º E, 21.05.2018, author — A. Yu. Korolyuk. Diagnostic species: Alyssum desertorum, Carex colchica, Chamaecytisus borysthenicus, Chondrilla juncea, Euphorbia seguieriana, Festuca beckeri, Helichrysum arenarium, Jurinea polyclonos, Kochia laniflora, Koeleria sabuletorum, Poa bulbosa, Potentilla incana, Silene borysthenica, Stipa borysthenica, Thymus pallasianus. This association is considered as central in the alliance Festucion beckeri and is diagnosed by differential species of higher-level syntaxa. Communities of associations dominate on territory of the «Dyakovskiy forest» (Fig. 5, 6). Association includes 2 variants representing different stages of sand fixing. The var. Agropyron fragile inhabits more fixed sands. The var. Leymus racemosus represents earlier stages. In the study area we distinguish two communities that belong to the class Festucetea vaginatae. The community Spiraea crenata–Scirpoides holoschoenus is confined to shallow depressions. It is characte­rized by shrub layer with cover up to 20 % and a height of 60–80 cm. It is differentiated from surrounding­ ­ve­getation by high abundance of Scirpoides holo­schoenus and Festuca rupicola. The community Secale sylvestre–Anisantha tectorum is described on a fire protection strips. These are species poor coenoses dominated by annual plants (Fig. 7).

Приводятся сведения о флористическом разнообразии памятника природы «Дьяковский лес» (Саратовская область) -островного массива сосновых и сосново-широколиственных лесов, расположенного на песчано-глинистых отложениях р.Еруслан в переходной полосе между сухими и

Проведены классификация и синтаксономический анализ кобрезиевников, кустарничковых и кустарниковых тундр юго-западной части нагорья Сангилен. Сообщества с доминированием Kobresia myosuroides вошли в состав ассоциации Kobresio myosuroidis–Pentaphylloidetum fruticosae ass. nova hoc loco (союз Kobresion myosuroidis Mirkin et al. (1983) 1986, порядок Kobresietalia myosuroidis Mirkin et al. (1983) 1986), с доминированием Dryas oxyodonta – в ассоциации Dracocephalo grandiflori–Dryadetum oxyodontae ass. nova hoc loco (союз Dryadion oxyodontae Zhitlukhina et Onishchenko 1987, порядок Kobresietalia myosuroidis Mirkin et al. (1983) 1986). Кустарниковые тундры класса Loiseleurio–Vaccinietea Eggler 1952 представлены двумя порядками. В составе порядка Betuletalia rotundifoliae Mirkin et al. ex Chytrý, Pesout et Anenkhonov 1993 описан новый союз Carici tristis–Betulion rotundifoliae all. nova hoc loco и одна ассоциация Carici tristis–Betuletum rotundifoliae ass. nova hoc loco. Союз Carici tristis–Betulion rotundifoliae all. nova hoc loco объединяет травяно-кустарниковые тундры семиаридных высокогорий Алтае-Саянской горной области и Северной Монголии. В составе порядка Rhododendro–Vaccinietalia Br.-Bl. ex Daniels 1994 выделен союз Saxifrago oppositifoliae–Rhododendrion adamsii all. nova hoc loco, объединяющий кустарниковые тундры с доминированием кальцефильных кустарников и кустарничков (Rhododendron adamsii, Caragana jubata, Salix berberifolia, S. reticulata и др.). В составе этого союза описано две новых ассоциации Saxifrago oppositifoliae–Rhododendretum adamsii ass. nova hoc loco и Saussureo schanginianae–Caraganetum jubatae ass. nova hoc loco. Дана детальная эколого-ценотическая характеристика выделенных синтаксонов, а также проведен экологический, ареалогический и поясно-зональный анализ ценофлор

Classification and syntaxonomic analysis of Cobresia high mountain communities, shrub and bush tundra South-Western part of the Sangilen Plateau were performed. Coimnunities with dominance of Kobresia myosuroicles were included in the association Kobresio myosuroidis Pentaphylloidetum frutieosae ass. nova hoc loco (alliance Kobresion myosuroidis Mirkin et al. (1983) 1986. order Kobresietalia myosuroidis Mirkin et al. (1983) 1986), with dominance of Dryas oxyodonta in the association Draeocephalo grandiflori Dryadetum oxyodontae ass. nova hoc loco (alliance Dryadion oxyodontae Zhitlukhina et Onishchenko 1987, order Kobresietalia myosuroidis Mirkin et al. (1983) 1986). The shrub tundra of the class Loiseleurio Vaceinietea Eggler 1952 was represented by two orders (Betuletalia rotundifoliae Mirkin et al. ex Chytry, Pe out et Anenkhonov 1993 and Rhododendro Vaceinietalia Br. -B1. ex Daniels 1994). Association Cariei tristis Betuletum rotundifoliae ass. nova hoc loco and a new alliance C'arici tristis Betulion rotundifoliae all, nova hoc loco were described in the Betuletalia rotundifoliae Mirkin et al. ex Chytry, Pe out et Anenkhonov 1993 order. Alliance Cariei tristis Betulion rotundifoliae all, nova hoc loco includes grass -shrub tundra of the semiarid and arid part of the Altai-Sayan mountain system and Northern Mongolia. The alliance Saxifrago oppositifoliae Rhododendrion adamsii all, nova hoc loco was included in the Rhododendro Vaceinietalia Br. -B1. ex Daniels 1994 order. These are shrub tundra with domination of calciphilous shrubs and bushes (Rhododendron adamsii, Caragana juhata. Salix berbertfolia. S. reticulata H Hp.). Two new associations (Saxifrago oppositlfoliae Rhododendretum adamsii ass. nova hoc loco and Saussureo sehanginianae Caraganetum jubatae ass. nova hoc loco) of this alliance were described. Chorological, ecological and phytosociological analysis of the in coenotloras is made. It showed the close dependence between geographical, topological and attitudinal groups of plants.

The paper presents research in eco-coenotic features of cryopetrophyte communities of the Osevoi Ridge in the Western Sayan Mts. All communities studied are in the association Saxifrago oppositifoliae–Rhodioletum quadrifidae. This association includes all communities with a predominance of alpine and arctalpine petrophytes, which are largely facultative and obligate calciphile plants. The coenoflora of the association Saxifrago oppositifoliae–Rhodioletum quadrifidae is represented by 54 species of higher vascular plants. The dominant species in its structure are those of Holarctic distribution and species generally confined to the Altai-Sayan mountain region, with Papaver pseudocanescens, Poa smirnowii, Sajanella monstrosa, Saussurea foliosa and Saxifraga melaleuca being endemics. In the structure of the belt-zonal groups, arctalpine and alpine species dominate. Among ecological groups, obligate and facultative petrophytes, generally cryophytes, are dominant. The predominance of some particular belt-zonal and ecological groups of species indicates greater specificity of the environmental conditions in which the communities were formed and are currently being formed.

This article presents the results of an analysis of ontogenetic and vitality structure of seven cenopopulations of Oxytropis sulphurea (Fisch. ex DC.) Ledeb. in the high-altitude conditions of Rydny Altai (Ivanovsky and Prohodnoi ridges) and the Saur Ridge. In the study of the demographic structure it has been determined that most populations from undisturbed habitats are characterized by left-side spectrums with maximums on juvenile or immature individuals. The changes in the structure of the studied ontogenetic spectrums of this species depend largely on the presence of anthropogenic influence. Grazing pressure has led to the formation of spectrums with a maximum on g3 plants. The vitality type of the O. sulphurea populations varies from exuberant to depressed; the depressed and balanced types of vitality prevailed. Intensive seed propagation provides a stable existence of O. sulphurea in the high-mountain alpine zone. The results of our study show that O. sulphurea is an alpine-meadow species which has strict ecological and cenotic propensity for alpine meadows with the prevalence of Festuca kryloviana, Anthoxanthum alpinum, and Schulzia crinite and shrub tundras with Dryas oxyodonta.

The birch krummholz with Betula tortuosa Ledeb dominance occur in the most humid regions of Kuznetsky Alatau, Altai and Eastern Sayan within the Altai-Sayan mountain system (Zolotovskiy, 1938; Kuminova, 1960; Malyshev, 1965; Maskaev, 1976; Sedelnikov, 1979, 1988; Zibzeev, 2006). Mean annual precipitation in the Kuznetsky Alatau is 2000 mm (up to 3000 mm in some years). In the Tigirekskiy ridge study area the precipitation is 1500 mm. The deep snow (up to 1.5 m) protects grounds fr om freezing. The birch krummholz occupy the large areas on the variously exposed slopes at 950–1200 m in the Kuznetsky Alatau and at 1250–1350 m in Altai. These communities, known only in three places of the Altai-Sayan mountain system and listed in the ”Green Book of Siberia“ (1996), occur in the lower and middle parts of the subalpine belt on permanently moist slopes. According to the Braun-Blanquet approach the birch krummholz of the studied area are represented by three associations, two subassociations and one variant (ass. Cirsio heterophylli–Stemmacanthetum carthamoidis Zitluchina ex Ermakov et al. 2000, subass. C. h.–S. c. betuletosum tortuosae nov. hoc loco, ass. Doronico altaicae–Betuletum tortuosae nov. hoc loco, ass. Abieteto sibiricae–Athyrietum distentifoliae Ermakov et al. 2000, subass. A. s.–A. d. sorbetosum sibiricae Ermakov et al. 2000, var. Betula tortuosa). The birch krummholz of the Tigirekskiy ridge are referred to ass. Violo disjunctae–Betuletum tortuosae nov. hoc loco, and three subassociations (V. d.–b. t. typicum nov. hoc loco, V. d.–b. t. saussureetosum frolowii nov. hoc loco, V. d.–b. t. dracocephaletosum grandiflori nov. hoc loco.). All syntaxa are included into Mulgedio-Aconitetea Hadac et Klika in Klika et Hadac 1944 class, Trollio–Crepidetalia sibiricae Guinochet ex Chytry et al. 1993 order, Aconito pascoi–Geranion albiflori Zhitlukhina et Onishchenko ex Ermakov et al. 2000 alliance. The geographical isolation of birch krummholz affects their species composition and coenoflora structure. There are 99 species in the coenoflora of the Kuznetsky Alatau birch krummholz and 108 species in the Tigirekskiy ridge. The latter coenoflora contains specific species that can be divided into two groups. The first group includes the endemics of the Altai as well as Altai-Sayan mountain system as a whole(Hedysarum theinum, Hieracium korshinskyi, Ptarmica ledebourii, Sanguisorba alpina, Viola disjuncta, ­Phleum alpinum, Phlomoides alpina, Dracocephalum grandiflorum). The second group is represented by forest and forest-meadow species absent in the birch krummholz of the Kuznetsky Alatau (Carex pediformis, Cruciata krylovii, Galium boreale, Geum rivale, Iris ruthenica, Melica nutans, Pyrola minor). The studied communities have exact ecological and topological localizations. In the Kuznetsky Alatau the tall-forb birch krummholz of C. h.–S. c. betuletosum tortuosae are mostly common at high leveled parts of the slopes (3–5°) wh ere they alternate with subalpine meadows. The birch krummholz of ass. Doronico altaicae–Betuletum tortuosae occupy moist, usually cold, habitats. In these communities with the remarkably reduced coenotic role of tall-forbs the herb layer is mainly formed by subalpine and alpine meadow species. The communities of ass. Violo disjunctae–Betuletum tortuosae with three subassociations occur in wet conditions on leveled terraces, as well as on relatively flat slopes (0–2°) close to the tree line. A specific feature of the Tigirekskiy ridge birch krummholz coenoflora is a large number of forest species.

The mountain systems are characterized by diverse ecological conditions (climate, geomorphological, soil, etc.). The wide spectrum of environmental conditions entails a rich diversity of plant communities growing on the small territory and determines the different flora and vegetation geneses. The uniqueness of floristic and coenotic diversities of the high-mountain vegetation of the south of Western Altai (Ivanovskiy, Prokhodnoi, and Rossypnoi Ranges) are associated with the effect of two climate-forcing factors such as the westerly humid air mass and dry warm airflow from the inner Kazakhstan regions. The paper summarizes the data on coenotic diversity (Zibzeev, 2010, 2012) and gives a syntaxonomic analysis of the high-mountain vege­tation in the Ivanovskii, Prokhodnoi, and Rossypnoi Ranges (Western Altai, Kazakhstan). The classification of plant communities was carried out using the Braun-Blanquet approach (Westhoff, van der Maarel, 1973). The relevés records were stored in the TURBOVEG database and classified by ­TWINSPAN (Hill 1979).