Home – Home – Jornals – Flora and Vegetation of Asian Russia 2025 number 2

The composition, structure, ecological features and distribution of polydominant subalpine meadows of the Kurai Ridge were analyzed. In the system of ecological-floristic classification they are described as new association Anemonastro narcissiflori-Stemmacanthemum cartamoidis and three subassociations: typicum, aconitoetosum septentrionalis and aquilegietosum glandulosae . Syntaxa belong to the alliance Aconito pascoi-Geranion albiflori , the order Trollio-Crepidetalia sibiricae , and the class Mulgedio-Aconitetea . The comparative analysis showed the originality of the new association, which is due to the unique combination of meadow-forest, alpine-meadow and mountain-tundra species (Table 3). Ass. Anemonastro narcissiflori-Stemmacanthemum cartamoidis ass. nov. (Table 2, rel. 1-41) represents polydominant subalpine meadows dominated by tall grasses species and high-mountain species. The association is widespread in the western part of the Kurai Ridge (Fig. 1) at an altitude of 2300-2550 m. Subalpine meadows are found on covered with crushed stone, warm, well-moisturized and wind-protected parts of slopes, as well as along stream valleys, in negative microrelief forms, in places of increased snow accumulation. Diagnostic species (D. s.): Aconitum altaicum , Allium schoenoprasum , Anemonastrum narcissiflorum , Carex stenocarpa , Draba sibirica , Erigeron eriocalyx , Erythronium sibiricum , Gastrolychnis tristis , Poa alpina , Potentilla gelida , Rhodiola rosea , Sajanella monstrosa , Seseli condensatum . Subass. A.n. - S.c. typicum subass. nov. (Table 2, rel. 1-17) represents densely clustered mesophytic subalpine meadows dominated by Anthoxanthum alpinum , Bupleurum aureum , Dracocephalum grandiflorum , Geranium albiflorum , Ranunculus grandifolius . These communities occupy gentle slopes of eastern and southeastern exposures at an altitude of 2400-2550 meters. D. s.: Bistorta vivipara , Luzula sibirica , Macropodium nivale , Pedicularis anthemifolia , Pulsatilla patens , Taraxacum officinale , Tephroseris praticola , Thalictrum alpinum . Subass. A.n.-S.c. aconitoetosum septentrionalis subass. nov. (Table 2, rel. 18-27) represents xerophyte subalpine meadows dominated by Bupleurum aureum and Stemmacantha carthamoides . The floristic composition of the communities is based on species of montane distribution. The ecological optimum of such communities is in the altitude range of 2350-2450 m. The slopes are stony, dry and well-warmed, with southeastern exposure. D. s.: Aconitum septentrionale , Alopecurus pratensis , Crepis lyrata , Gentiana septemfida , Thalictrum minus . Subass. A.n. - S.c. aquilegietosum glandulosae subass. nov. (Table 2, rel. 28-41) unites communities of overwatered habitats. Subassociation is an ecotone between subalpine and alpine meadows. The floristic composition of the communities is based on species of alpine distribution, and a group of petrophytic species is also well represented. D. s.: Aquilegia glandulosa , Eritrichium villosum , Pedicularis verticillata , Primula algida , Saussurea frolowii .