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Abstract
Geobotanic research and large-scale mapping with the help of Geographical Information System (GIS) permit us to find out the present state of Kyzylkum Desert shrublands, regularities of plant communities distribution, and chemical composition of the main dominant shrubs. Zonal vegetation types were formed on the basis of Old Xerophilous and Old Mediterranean floras in the Paleogene and Neogene periods. Composition of plant associations and their anthropogenic modification largely depends on physical and chemical properties of the soils. Climax associations of Artemisia diffusa, Astragalus villosissimus, Convolvulus hamadae, and Ceratoides latens are connected with almost saline-free soils. Communities of Artemisia turanica, Salsola arbuscula, and S. arbusculiformis are found on soils with the lowest salt content, and Haloxylon aphyllum, Nanophyton erinaceum, and Salsola orientalis communities prefer average and very saline soils. Microelement concentration of the shrubs depends on chemical composition of their habitats.
Parent Publication
Citation
Kapustina, Lyuba A. 2001. Biodiversity, ecology, and microelement composition of Kyzylkum Desert shrubs (Uzbekistan). In: McArthur, E. Durant; Fairbanks, Daniel J., comps. Shrubland ecosystem genetics and biodiversity: proceedings; 2000 June 13-15; Provo, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-21. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 98-103.
