Peculiarities herb-bunchgrass steppes of Western Predcaucasia

Relevance. The article presents the materials of the geobotanical examination of the virgin steppes of the Western Predcaucasia. The relevance of the study is due to the modern state of natural grass stand, which is under constant anthropogenic influence.
Methods. The research points are located in the southwestern part of the Stavropol Territory and the northeastern part of Karachay-Cherkessia, within the absolute heights of 500–880 m. The description of vegetation and its analysis was carried out on ten accounting sites (10x10 m) according to methods generally accepted in geobotany.
Results. It was revealed that in the grass stand the grass familyhas on average 17,5% (its weight fraction is 70–80%). In the formation of grass stand plant associations, the leading role belongs to the dominant sod steppe-grasses: Stipa pulcherrima, Festuca valesiaca, Festuca rupicola, Bothriochloa ischaemum, etc. Legumes (Medicago romanica, Trifolium pratense, Onobrychis arenaria) are the main source of protein for animals, they are diverse and have on average 10,8%, but in weight terms they are inferior to sod steppe-grasses. The flora of the studied steppes is represented by a number of economically valuable plants. These are sod steppe-grasses — the creators of the main feed mass of the steppe. They are also sources of a protein component for animals. But the main source of protein in the steppe grass stands are representatives of the legume family (species Trifolium, Medicago, Onobrychis, etc.). Nectariferous plants (Filipendula vulgaris, Galium ruthenicum, Echium russicum) and drug plants (Adonis vernalis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Thymus marschallianus, etc.) are found in the steppe. The spectrum of life cycles of the flora is noteworthy. There is a high percentage of perennials — from 66,7 to 97,8%. This fact indicates that the axes of ecological niches are packed relatively tightly by perennials — persistent competitors of annual plants (more often weeds). Until mid-summer the generative stage of development of wild plant species reaches on average 80%. Their gene pool can be recommended for the restoration of low-productive steppe grass stand, as well as for use in selection work.

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