ECOSYSTEM AND BIOTIC DIVERSITY OF THE CASPIAN REGION
The aim is development of methodological approaches for an estimation of a biodiversity (species and ecosystems) and the cartographic representation of the regularities of its distribution on the basis of ecosystmes (biomes) concept in biogeography, and integrated ecology-geographical approach to the interpretation of the data. Material and methods. A series of natural maps of the Electronic Atlas of the Caspian Sea includes small-scale vegetation map of the Caspian region, which represents the spatial organization of vegetation with the organizing role of environmental and geographical factors. The created cartographic model can be the basis for an estimation of the ecosystem diversity of the region. The materials for the map were publications and cartographic models, original materials on the study of vegetation cover of the Caspian regions and available data on biodiversity estimation. The analysis of materials is carried out in accordance with the classification system of phytocoenomers and phytocoenochore VB. Sochava; we used ecology-morphological classification and ecology-geographical approach in the preparation of the map legend. Results. The botanical and geographical features of the Caspian region are shown. The characteristic of coenotic diversity of plain deserts of the region within the subzone units is given. Typical altitudinal belt spectra and the formation compositions of high-altitude belts for mountain areas are shown. Using biome as a basic unit of biodiversity accounting, it is possible to proceed to quantifying biodiversity at species and coenotic levels. An example of biodiversity estimation for the regional Caspian desert-steppe biome is given. Conclusion. The cartographic model of bioclimatically determined vegetation types (climatypes) of the Caspian region is a good basis for further estimation of biodiversity (at species and ecosystem levels) based on the concept of regional biomes.