New higher syntaxa of the steppe vegetation in the North Caucasus

Abstract

Geobotanical studies were carried out in the North Caucasus, in the Stavropol kray (Russia) on Beshtau, Byk, Verblyud, Dzhutsa, Dubrovka, Zolotoy Kurgan, Kokurtly, Lysaya, Mashuk, Yutsa magmatic mountains, Bor-gustan and Dzhinal ringes in 2017, 2019–2021. Syntaxonomic analysis carried out from the standpoint of J. Braun-Blanquet approach (1964) made it possible to establish 2 new associations (Allio albidi–Dictamnetum caucasici ass. nov. hoc loco, Helianthemo buschii–Elytrigietum stipifoliae ass. nov. hoc loco), 2 new alliances (Allio albidi–Dictamnion caucasici all. nov. hoc loco, Helianthemo buschii–Elytrigion stipifoliae all. nov.hoc loco) and 1 new order Galio biebersteinii–Bilacunarietalia microcarpae ordo nov. hoc loco. They are included in the class Festuco–Brometea Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Soó 1947.