Floristic analysis of the Karadag natural reserve steppes
The results of coenofloristic analysis of the Karadag steppes are presented. We used 108 releves performed during 2015-16 years. The taxonomic, biomorphological and geographical analysis was carried out. Flora of Karadag steppes includes 322 species of vascular plants related to 193 genera of 54 families. The most representative families in coenoflora are: Asteraceae (15.2 %), Poaceae (12.4 %), Fabaceae (10.5 %). Polycarpathic herbs predominate in the spectrum of life forms (42.8 %). Of the specialized forms, creeping and spherical-shaped plants are prevalent. In the coenoflora of the steppes, species with an ancient Mediterranean range are leading (32.3 %). That proves its Mediterranean origin. Prevalent species: Aegilops biuncialis Vis., Agropyron ponticum Nevski, Bromopsis cappadocica (Boiss. et Bal.) Holub, Galium biebersteinii Ehrend., Jurinea sordida Stev., Melica taurica С. Koch, Onosma taurica Раll. ex Willd., Seseli tortuosum L., Stachys velata Klok., Thymus tauricus Klok. et Shost. Analysis of the biomorphological structure showed the adaptation of plants to arid climatic conditions: species with a deep root system prevail (49.4 %). The adaptation of species to hot arid conditions is also evidenced by the structure of coenoflora according to the flowering rhythm. The great number of species blooms in May-June (21.5 %) and April-May (16.9 %). The majority (56.3 %) of species stop blooming with the beginning of extremely hot dry period (July-August). We found out some differences between the coenoflora structure and group of high constancy species. In particular, it was noted that the high constancy species is even more adapted to the arid growing conditions (the proportion of species with a deep root system is 56.4 %). Among the species there are endemic, relic and having protected status (68 or 21.1 %), included into Red book of Russian Federation (12 or 3.7 %), Red Book of the Republic of Crimea (28 or 8.7 %), European Red List of Vascular Plants (38 or 11.8 %).