Research Paper |
Corresponding author: Amir Talebi ( amirt.biology@gmail.com ) Academic editor: Victor Chepinoga
© 2024 Amir Talebi, Denys Vynokurov, Farideh Attar, Jürgen Dengler, Alireza Naqinezhad.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Talebi A, Vynokurov D, Attar F, Dengler J, Naqinezhad A (2024) Vegetation of the southern slopes of Mt. Damavand, Iran: a comprehensive phytosociological classification. Vegetation Classification and Survey 5: 301-328. https://doi.org/10.3897/VCS.136825
|
Aims: To provide the first syntaxonomic scheme of the main natural and semi-natural steppic vegetation types along a 3000-m elevational gradient. Location: South-facing slopes of Mt. Damavand, Iran. Methods: A dataset of 330 phytosociological plots of 25 m2 sampled in all main vegetation types of the region was subjected to unsupervised classification with TWINSPAN. After some manual adjustments to maximise the floristic distinctness of clusters, the resulting units were translated into syntaxa at the class, order, alliance and association level. Diagnostic species were determined with phi values as measure of fidelity. The differences in abiotic and vegetation parameters among associations/communities were visualised with boxplots and the environmental gradients associated with the community differentiation via detrended correspondence analysis (DCA). Results: We found four main groups that are ecologically well interpretable and considered at the level of phytosociological classes: rocky habitats (Tanacetalia kotschyi, class unknown), scree habitats (Didymophyso aucheri-Dracocephaletea aucheri), snow-beds (Salicetea herbaceae) and grasslands (Astragalo-Brometea). We distinguished six orders, nine alliances and 18 association-level communities, which were floristically well separated. Many of these syntaxa were new to science. Elevation was the main driver of species composition and formation of the major vegetation groups. Conclusions: This study contributes to advancing the syntaxonomic understanding of the vegetation of Iran. It is particularly valuable as it covers the complete elevational gradient of 3000 m and thus also comprehensively includes the vegetation types of the lower elevations that previously had been rarely studied syntaxonomically in Iran. Furthermore, this study is the first to examine mown (semi-natural) tall herb rich grasslands in Iran, which were assigned to the new alliance Cousinion petrocauli. Since our study was based on a regionally constrained dataset, we could not solve all syntaxonomic issues conclusively. This underscores the need for more comprehensive studies of the vegetation in the entire Alborz Mts as well as other Iranian mountain ranges in the future.
Taxonomic reference: Catalogue of Life (
Abbreviations: DCA = detrended correspondence analysis, ICPN = International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature (
Alborz Mts, alpine, Astragalo-Brometea, grassland, Iran, montane steppe, phytosociology, rock vegetation, scree vegetation, snowbed vegetation, syntaxonomy, vegetation classification
Iran is one of the richest countries in terms of floristic diversity in SW Asia. Plant diversity, geographic complexity, climatic diversity and a history of anthropogenic activities have led to diverse vegetation types across the country. Most of the country is covered with various mountain ranges, of which the Alborz range is the second longest. Having a wide elevational range of over 5000 m, high heterogeneity and contrasting climatic conditions, it is considered a centre of endemism in Iran (
Due to the relatively easier accessibility for vegetation scientists, the Alborz Mts in general and the Central Alborz and Mt. Damavand in particular have been subject to various floristic and vegetation studies over the past few decades. The first high-rank syntaxonomic units in the study area were outlined by
Mt. Damavand harbours high vascular plant species richness both at the regional scale (more than 700 species in the south-facing parts alone (unpubl.)) and locally, with the highest known richness (61 species) values at the plot scale (25 m2) known from Iran (
Therefore, in our paper we aim to provide a comprehensive documentation of the vegetation patterns of the southern slopes of Mt. Damavand, covering a 3000-m elevational gradient. Our four main aims were (1) to characterise and differentiate the occurring plant communities; (2) to place them into a formal hierarchical syntaxonomic classification system; (3) to describe the main environmental drivers affecting community assemblages, and (4) to compare the vegetation of the study area with other areas in the Irano-Turanian region.
The study was conducted on the southern slopes of Mt. Damavand (Figure
Mt. Damavand is a large inter-plate composite cone representing an accumulation of more than 400 km3 of trachyandesite lavas and pyroclastic material overlying the active fold and thrust belt of the Alborz Mts. The immediate basement to the Damavand volcano is a sedimentary sequence of carbonate, siliciclastic and volcanic rocks (
The higher elevations of the Alborz Mts are affected by north-westerly flows of polar air masses (
Based on paleopalynological studies, the region has been totally dominated by semi-arid steppes since the Quaternary period, with some less arid phases that resulted in moderate expansion of woodlands (
A total of 330 relevés of 25 m2 (including 7 relevés taken from
Relevés were sampled in homogenous stands. In each plot, all vascular plants were recorded and total cover and cover values of each species estimated as percentage (
Plant nomenclature was standardised to the Catalogue of Life (
We used the TWINSPAN algorithm (
Diagnostic species (here and further used also for diagnostic subspecies) for all syntaxonomic ranks were based on phi values (
Species were primarily considered diagnostic at the hierarchical level where they reached the highest phi value. If this was a lower rank, but they additionally met all criteria at a higher rank and they on average also had positive phi values in the other included lower-rank syntaxa, the species was considered as diagnostic also at the higher rank (named as transgressive diagnostic species and marked in pale grey) (see Table
We carefully searched the phytosociological literature of Iran and neighbouring regions for syntaxa matching our concepts (
All statistical analyses and visualisations were carried out in R, version 4.3.3 (
A total of 416 vascular plant taxa were recorded in the 330 plots. The most constant taxa were Festuca valesiaca (49%), Bromus paulsenii (34%), Thymus kotschyanus (31%), Bromus tectorum (30%), Erysimum caespitosum (29%), Poa araratica (29%), Artemisia chamaemelifolia (28%), Draba pulchella (27%), Achillea aucheri (27%) and Alopecurus textilis (26%). Species richness in 25 m2 varied from 4 to 61 taxa (average 21) depending on the vegetation type. The lowest values were found in alpine scree vegetation and the highest values in subalpine grasslands.
The TWINSPAN classification showed a separation of the studied plots into two major groups of alpine-nival (above ca. 3000 m a.s.l.) and montane-subalpine (up to ca. 3000 m a.s.l.) plots (see Suppl. material
We distinguished 18 associations and association-rank communities, grouped into nine alliances, seven orders and four classes (Table
Syntaxonomic scheme of the plant communities of Mt. Damavand. The full descriptions of the new syntaxa are given in the text and Appendix 1.
1. Rocky communities – Unclear class |
Order 1.1 Tanacetalia kotschyi |
Allliance 1.1.1 Campanulion lauricae |
1.1.1.1 Veronica aucheri-Corydalis rupestris community |
1.1.1.2 Iranecio oligolepis community |
Alliance 1.1.2 Undescribed |
1.1.2.1 Salvia xanthocheila community |
1.1.2.2. Rosa iberica community |
2. Scree communities – Didymophyso aucheri-Dracocephaletea aucheri Noroozi et al. 2013 |
Order 2.1 Didymophysetalia aucheri Noroozi et al. 2013 |
Alliance 2.1.1 Didymophysion aucheri Noroozi et al. 2013 |
2.1.1.1 Dracocephaletum aucheri Noroozi et al. 2013 |
2.1.1.2 Myosotido olympicae-Lamietum tomentosi Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
3. Snow-bed communities – Salicetea herbaceae Br.-Bl. 1948 |
Order 3.1 Undescribed |
Alliance 3.1.1 Taraxaco brevirostris-Polygonion serpyllacei |
3.1.1.1 Ranunculo crymophili-Oxyrietum digynae |
4. Irano-Turanian grassland communities – Astragalo-Brometea |
Order 4.1 Drabetalia pulchellae Noroozi et al. ex Noroozi in Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
Alliance 4.1.1 Acantholimion demavendici |
4.1.1.1 Senecioni iranici-Astragaletum macrosemii Noroozi et al. ex Noroozi in Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
4.1.1.2 Cousinietum harazensis Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
Alliance 4.1.2 Astragalion iodotropidis |
4.1.2.1 Astragalus iodotropis-Bromus paulsenii community |
4.1.2.2 Astragaletum iodotropidis |
4.1.2.3 Astragaletum ochrochlori Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
Order 4.2 Astragalo-Brometalia |
Alliance 4.2.1 Undescribed |
4.2.1.1 Astragalo lilacini-Astragaletum microcephali Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
Alliance 4.2.2 Artemision aucheri Talebi et al. 2024 (see below) |
4.2.2.1 Astragalo compacti-Feruletum persicae Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
4.2.2.2 Artemisietum aucheri Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
4.2.2.3 Caccinio strigosae-Oreosalsoletum montanae Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
Order 4.3 Undescribed |
Alliance 4.3.1 Cousinion petrocauli Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
4.3.1.1 Astragaletum retamocarpi Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
4.3.1.2 Heracleo anisactidis-Prangetum ferulaceae Talebi et al. 2024 (see Appendix 1) |
Abridged synoptic table of the plant communities of the southern slopes of Mt. Damavand. All syntaxa from association to class rank are shown. For the meaning of the syntaxon codes, see Table
Rank | All | Cl. | Cl. | Cl. | Cl. | Ord. | Ord. | Ord. | Ord. | Ord. | Ord. | All. | All. | All. | All. | All. | All. | All. | All. | All. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. | Ass. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
Order | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | |||||
Alliance | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
Association | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Number of plots included | 330 | 25 | 37 | 4 | 264 | 25 | 37 | 4 | 118 | 125 | 21 | 8 | 17 | 37 | 4 | 72 | 46 | 76 | 49 | 21 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 16 | 21 | 4 | 31 | 41 | 10 | 12 | 24 | 76 | 21 | 19 | 9 | 11 | 10 |
Mean species richness | 21.0 | 14.5 | 8.2 | 10.5 | 22.5 | 14.5 | 8.2 | 10.5 | 16.2 | 29.7 | 24.0 | 9.3 | 19.8 | 8.2 | 10.5 | 15.3 | 16.8 | 29.5 | 49.0 | 24.0 | 8.8 | 9.8 | 20.2 | 19.4 | 5.1 | 11.4 | 10.5 | 13.0 | 17.6 | 14.0 | 14.3 | 22.2 | 29.5 | 41.6 | 27.8 | 20.0 | 24.3 | 23.8 |
Cl. 1 (2 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Valeriana sisymbriifolia | 0.9 | 8 | . | . | 0 | 8 | . | . | 1 | . | . | 13 | 6 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | 25 | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
All. 1.1.1 (1 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Galium delicatulum | 5.8 | 16 | 3 | . | 5 | 16 | 3 | . | 11 | 0 | . | 38 | 6 | 3 | . | 13 | 9 | 1 | . | . | 50 | 25 | 10 | . | . | 5 | . | . | 22 | 10 | . | 13 | 1 | . | . | . | . | . |
Assoc. 1.1.1.1 (2 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corydalis rupestris | 0.9 | 12 | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | 38 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 75 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Asperula glomerata subsp. bracteata | 2.7 | 12 | 5 | . | 2 | 12 | 5 | . | 3 | . | . | 38 | . | 5 | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 75 | . | . | . | . | 10 | . | 6 | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Assoc. 1.1.1.2 (2 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Iranecio oligolepis | 1.2 | 16 | . | . | . | 16 | . | . | . | . | . | 50 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 100 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Nepeta racemosa | 16.4 | 28 | 27 | . | 14 | 28 | 27 | . | 20 | 4 | 10 | 50 | 18 | 27 | . | 14 | 30 | 13 | 2 | 10 | . | 100 | 10 | 29 | . | 48 | . | 3 | 22 | 20 | 42 | 29 | 13 | 5 | . | . | 9 | 10 |
All. 1.1.2 (10 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Parietaria judaica | 3.3 | 44 | . | . | . | 44 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 65 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 50 | 86 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Scrophularia variegata | 6.1 | 52 | . | . | 3 | 52 | . | . | 3 | 1 | . | . | 76 | . | . | 3 | 4 | 4 | . | . | . | . | 80 | 71 | . | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | 8 | 4 | . | . | . | . | . |
Tanacetum polycephalum | 30.9 | 68 | . | . | 32 | 68 | . | . | 15 | 32 | 14 | . | 100 | . | . | 18 | 11 | 67 | 27 | 14 | . | . | 100 | 100 | . | . | . | . | 32 | 10 | . | 17 | 67 | 62 | . | . | 9 | 20 |
Cervaria cervariifolia | 2.1 | 28 | . | . | . | 28 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 41 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 30 | 57 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Prunus pseudoprostrata | 11.5 | 48 | . | . | 10 | 48 | . | . | . | 22 | 5 | . | 71 | . | . | . | . | 14 | 29 | 5 | . | . | 60 | 86 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | 62 | . | 11 | 9 | . |
Gypsophila aretioides | 2.7 | 28 | . | . | 1 | 28 | . | . | . | 0 | 5 | . | 41 | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | 5 | . | . | 40 | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | 9 | . |
Dianthus orientalis | 8.5 | 36 | . | . | 7 | 36 | . | . | 1 | 14 | 5 | . | 53 | . | . | 1 | . | 14 | 12 | 5 | . | . | 60 | 43 | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | 14 | 19 | . | 22 | 9 | . |
Pimpinella tragium | 8.2 | 44 | . | . | 6 | 44 | . | . | 12 | 1 | . | 25 | 53 | . | . | 14 | 9 | 3 | . | . | 50 | . | 40 | 71 | . | . | . | . | 24 | . | . | 17 | 3 | . | . | . | . | . |
Eremogone polycnemifolia | 1.2 | 16 | . | . | . | 16 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 24 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 30 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Dracocephalum kotschyi | 0.9 | 8 | . | . | 0 | 8 | . | . | . | 0 | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | 10 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . |
Assoc. 1.1.2.1 (10 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Salvia xanthocheila | 2.7 | 32 | . | . | 0 | 32 | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | 47 | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | 70 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | . |
Dielsiocharis kotschyi | 1.5 | 20 | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 29 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 50 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Pseudosedum multicaulis | 0.9 | 12 | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 18 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 30 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Sisymbrium gaubae | 0.9 | 12 | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 18 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 30 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Fibigia suffruticosa | 0.6 | 8 | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Rosa canina | 0.6 | 8 | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Rumex scutatus | 0.6 | 8 | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Silene commelinifolia | 0.6 | 8 | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Ephedra major | 0.9 | 8 | . | . | 0 | 8 | . | . | . | 0 | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . |
Galium hyrcanicum | 0.9 | 8 | . | . | 0 | 8 | . | . | . | 0 | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . |
Assoc. 1.1.2.2 (8 diagnotic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rosa iberica | 1.5 | 20 | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 29 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 71 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Sempervivum iranicum | 0.9 | 12 | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 18 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Ziziphora clinopodioides subsp. rigida | 3.0 | 20 | . | . | 2 | 20 | . | . | 1 | 1 | . | . | 29 | . | . | . | 2 | 5 | . | . | . | . | 10 | 57 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 5 | . | . | . | . | . |
Tanacetum parthenium | 1.2 | 16 | . | . | . | 16 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 24 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Rhamnus pallasii | 2.4 | 16 | . | . | 2 | 16 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | 24 | . | . | . | . | 3 | 4 | . | . | . | 10 | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 10 | . | . | . | . |
Silene aucheriana | 4.8 | 12 | . | . | 5 | 12 | . | . | 1 | 5 | 5 | . | 18 | . | . | 1 | . | 12 | 4 | 5 | . | . | . | 43 | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | 12 | 10 | . | . | 9 | . |
Allium capitellatum | 1.2 | 8 | . | . | 1 | 8 | . | . | 1 | 0 | . | . | 12 | . | . | 1 | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | 29 | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . |
Poa sterilis | 2.4 | 8 | . | . | 2 | 8 | . | . | 1 | 2 | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | 2 | 7 | . | . | . | . | . | 29 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 7 | . | . | . | . | . |
Cl. 2 (2 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Achillea aucheri | 13.9 | 8 | 89 | . | 4 | 8 | 89 | . | 9 | . | . | 25 | . | 89 | . | 15 | . | . | . | . | 50 | . | . | . | 94 | 86 | . | 35 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Assoc. 2.1.1.1 (1 diagnostic species, central association) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Didymophysa aucheri | 7.0 | . | 59 | . | 0 | . | 59 | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | 59 | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 94 | 33 | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Assoc. 2.1.1.2 (4 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Myosotis olympica | 4.8 | . | 41 | . | 0 | . | 41 | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | 41 | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 71 | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Lamium tomentosum | 5.5 | 8 | 41 | . | 0 | 8 | 41 | . | 1 | . | . | 25 | . | 41 | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | 25 | 25 | . | . | . | 71 | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Elymus longearistatus | 4.8 | 4 | 35 | . | 1 | 4 | 35 | . | 2 | . | . | 13 | . | 35 | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | . | 25 | . | . | . | 62 | . | . | . | . | 17 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Crepis multicaulis | 9.7 | . | 41 | 25 | 6 | . | 41 | 25 | 14 | . | . | . | . | 41 | 25 | 17 | 9 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 71 | 25 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Cl. 3 (6 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ranunculus crymophilus | 1.2 | . | . | 100 | . | . | . | 100 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 100 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 100 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Dichodon cerastoides | 1.5 | . | . | 100 | 0 | . | . | 100 | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | 100 | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 100 | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Erigeron uniflorus | 3.9 | . | 11 | 75 | 2 | . | 11 | 75 | 5 | . | . | . | . | 11 | 75 | 7 | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 6 | 14 | 75 | 16 | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Artemisia melanolepis | 12.7 | . | 14 | 100 | 13 | . | 14 | 100 | 28 | . | . | . | . | 14 | 100 | 43 | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 6 | 19 | 100 | 97 | 2 | 10 | . | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Catabrosella parviflora | 6.4 | . | 5 | 75 | 6 | . | 5 | 75 | 14 | . | . | . | . | 5 | 75 | 21 | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | 75 | 48 | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Cerastium purpurascens | 10.6 | . | 27 | 75 | 8 | . | 27 | 75 | 19 | . | . | . | . | 27 | 75 | 29 | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 19 | 33 | 75 | 65 | 2 | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Cl. 4 (8 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Polygonum alpestre | 13.9 | . | . | . | 17 | . | . | . | 31 | . | 48 | . | . | . | . | 10 | 63 | . | . | 48 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | 10 | 70 | 83 | 50 | . | . | . | . | 55 | 40 |
Thymus kotschyanus | 35.8 | 8 | 3 | . | 44 | 8 | 3 | . | 47 | 45 | 14 | 13 | 6 | 3 | . | 26 | 78 | 74 | 2 | 14 | . | 25 | . | 14 | . | 5 | . | . | 46 | 50 | 67 | 96 | 74 | 5 | . | . | 18 | 10 |
Veronica biloba | 30.0 | 12 | . | . | 36 | 12 | . | . | 48 | 23 | 14 | . | 18 | . | . | 40 | 61 | 38 | 14 | 14 | . | . | 20 | 14 | . | . | . | 23 | 54 | 30 | 50 | 79 | 38 | 24 | 11 | . | 9 | 20 |
Polygonum rottboellioides | 21.8 | . | . | . | 27 | . | . | . | 39 | 16 | 5 | . | . | . | . | 35 | 46 | 26 | 10 | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 6 | 56 | 10 | 25 | 71 | 26 | . | 26 | . | 9 | . |
Papaver bracteatum | 16.4 | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | 17 | 22 | 33 | . | . | . | . | 4 | 37 | 36 | . | 33 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 7 | 10 | 8 | 63 | 36 | . | . | . | 27 | 40 |
Silene bupleuroides | 11.2 | 4 | . | . | 14 | 4 | . | . | 17 | 4 | 52 | . | 6 | . | . | . | 43 | 7 | . | 52 | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | 42 | 54 | 7 | . | . | . | 36 | 70 |
Ord. 4.1 (9 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Onobrychis cornuta | 24.8 | 4 | . | . | 31 | 4 | . | . | 52 | 15 | 5 | . | 6 | . | . | 58 | 41 | 25 | . | 5 | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | 6 | 98 | 50 | . | 58 | 25 | . | . | . | 9 | . |
Veronica kurdica | 10.9 | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | 31 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 31 | 30 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 13 | 44 | 40 | 17 | 33 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Draba pulchella | 24.8 | 8 | 24 | 50 | 26 | 8 | 24 | 50 | 58 | . | . | 25 | . | 24 | 50 | 71 | 39 | . | . | . | . | 50 | . | . | . | 43 | 50 | 58 | 80 | 40 | 33 | 42 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Alopecurus textilis | 24.8 | 16 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 16 | 24 | 25 | 58 | . | . | 50 | . | 24 | 25 | 71 | 37 | . | . | . | 25 | 75 | . | . | . | 43 | 25 | 52 | 85 | 80 | 17 | 29 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Chenopodium foliosum | 12.7 | 4 | 3 | . | 15 | 4 | 3 | . | 32 | 2 | . | 13 | . | 3 | . | 35 | 28 | 3 | . | . | . | 25 | . | . | . | 5 | . | 26 | 41 | 10 | 33 | 33 | 3 | . | . | . | . | . |
Artemisia chamaemelifolia | 28.5 | 28 | 22 | . | 30 | 28 | 22 | . | 53 | 12 | 5 | 38 | 24 | 22 | . | 60 | 43 | 20 | . | 5 | 75 | . | . | 57 | . | 38 | . | 32 | 80 | 70 | 50 | 29 | 20 | . | . | . | . | 10 |
Carex pseudo-foetida | 5.2 | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 17 | 11 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 39 | . | . | 17 | 13 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
All. 4.1.1 (central alliance) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assoc. 4.1.1.1 (4 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Astragalus macrosemius | 12.1 | 4 | 11 | . | 13 | 4 | 11 | . | 30 | . | . | 13 | . | 11 | . | 49 | . | . | . | . | . | 25 | . | . | . | 19 | . | 94 | 15 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Senecio iranicus | 4.2 | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 19 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 42 | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Draba siliquosa | 6.4 | . | 14 | . | 6 | . | 14 | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | 22 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 13 | 14 | . | 52 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Potentilla polyschista | 5.5 | . | 11 | . | 5 | . | 11 | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | 11 | . | 19 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 6 | 14 | . | 45 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Assoc. 4.1.1.2 (5 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acantholimon demawendicum | 7.0 | . | . | . | 9 | . | . | . | 19 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 32 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 6 | 51 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Cousinia harazensis | 11.2 | 4 | . | . | 14 | 4 | . | . | 29 | 2 | . | . | 6 | . | . | 43 | 7 | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | 76 | 30 | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . |
Campanula stevenii | 10.3 | 4 | . | . | 13 | 4 | . | . | 26 | 2 | . | . | 6 | . | . | 40 | 4 | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | 6 | 66 | 20 | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . |
Acantholimon erinaceum | 6.4 | 4 | . | . | 8 | 4 | . | . | 16 | 1 | . | . | 6 | . | . | 25 | 2 | 1 | . | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | 44 | . | . | 4 | 1 | . | . | . | . | . |
Silene palinotricha | 3.3 | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | 9 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 15 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 27 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
All. 4.1.2 (9 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Astragalus iodotropis | 11.2 | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | 31 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | 65 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 17 | 100 | 100 | 33 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Piptatherum laterale | 12.1 | 4 | . | . | 15 | 4 | . | . | 32 | 1 | . | 13 | . | . | . | 8 | 70 | 1 | . | . | . | 25 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 15 | 60 | 92 | 63 | 1 | . | . | . | . | . |
Taraxacum brevirostris | 6.7 | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | 19 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 6 | . | 40 | 83 | 25 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Cirsium lappaceum | 14.2 | 4 | 11 | 25 | 16 | 4 | 11 | 25 | 29 | 6 | . | 13 | . | 11 | 25 | 3 | 70 | 9 | . | . | . | 25 | . | . | . | 19 | 25 | . | 5 | 60 | 83 | 67 | 9 | . | . | . | . | . |
Potentilla argyroloma | 7.9 | 8 | . | . | 9 | 8 | . | . | 19 | 1 | . | 25 | . | . | . | 6 | 41 | 1 | . | . | . | 50 | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 7 | 50 | 83 | 17 | 1 | . | . | . | . | . |
Herniaria glabra | 6.7 | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | 16 | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 35 | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 7 | 30 | 25 | 42 | 4 | . | . | . | . | . |
Polygonum patulum | 5.8 | . | . | . | 7 | . | . | . | 13 | 2 | 5 | . | . | . | . | 3 | 28 | 4 | . | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | . | 25 | 42 | 4 | . | . | . | 9 | . |
Leonorus cardiaca | 2.7 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 15 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 10 | 8 | 21 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Assoc. 4.1.2.1 (central association) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assoc. 4.1.2.2 (2 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tragopogon kotschyi | 6.7 | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | 15 | 2 | 10 | . | . | . | . | 1 | 37 | 3 | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | 20 | 75 | 25 | 3 | . | . | . | . | 20 |
Hordeum violaceum | 1.8 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 11 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | 33 | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Assoc. 4.1.2.3 (3 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Astragalus ochrochlorus | 16.4 | 4 | . | . | 20 | 4 | . | . | 29 | 14 | 5 | . | 6 | . | . | 14 | 52 | 22 | 2 | 5 | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | 24 | . | . | 100 | 22 | 5 | . | . | 9 | . |
Cousinia multiloba | 2.7 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 15 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | 29 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Plantago atrata | 2.4 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | 6 | . | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | 15 | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 25 | . | . | . | . | 9 | . |
Ord. 4.2 (39 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Artemisia aucheri | 22.4 | 24 | . | . | 26 | 24 | . | . | 2 | 14 | . | . | 35 | . | . | . | 4 | 24 | 98 | . | . | . | 50 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 24 | 95 | 100 | 100 | . | . |
Bromus tectorum | 30.6 | 32 | . | . | 35 | 32 | . | . | 5 | 34 | 14 | . | 47 | . | . | 4 | 7 | 57 | 84 | 14 | . | . | 70 | 14 | . | . | . | . | 7 | . | . | 13 | 57 | 90 | 84 | 67 | 18 | 10 |
Kochia prostrata | 11.2 | 4 | . | . | 14 | 4 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 5 | 65 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 76 | 63 | 44 | . | . |
Bromus danthoniae | 14.5 | . | . | . | 18 | . | . | . | . | 14 | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 24 | 57 | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 24 | 81 | 32 | 56 | 18 | . |
Alyssum minus | 21.5 | 8 | . | . | 26 | 8 | . | . | 3 | 30 | 10 | . | 12 | . | . | 4 | . | 50 | 53 | 10 | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | 7 | . | . | . | 50 | 71 | 26 | 67 | . | 20 |
Ferula persica | 7.0 | . | . | . | 9 | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 41 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 43 | 21 | 78 | . | . |
Taeniatherum caput-medusae | 8.8 | 4 | . | . | 11 | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | . | 57 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 71 | 58 | 22 | . | . |
Galium spurium | 14.2 | 4 | . | . | 17 | 4 | . | . | . | 17 | 5 | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 28 | 49 | 5 | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 28 | 52 | 58 | 22 | 9 | . |
Senecio glaucus | 7.6 | . | . | . | 9 | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 47 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 52 | 53 | 22 | . | . |
Ziziphora tenuior | 8.5 | . | . | . | 11 | . | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 45 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 52 | 58 | . | . | . |
[…] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stipa arabica | 22.4 | 44 | . | . | 24 | 44 | . | . | 3 | 18 | . | . | 65 | . | . | . | 7 | 30 | 76 | . | . | . | 70 | 57 | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | . | 8 | 30 | 71 | 100 | 33 | . | . |
Alyssum marginatum | 20.6 | 4 | . | . | 25 | 4 | . | . | 3 | 33 | 10 | . | 6 | . | . | . | 9 | 54 | 41 | 10 | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 17 | 54 | 71 | 21 | 11 | 18 | . |
Teucrium polium | 7.6 | . | . | . | 9 | . | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 71 | 32 | . | . | . |
Lamium amplexicaulis | 7.6 | . | . | . | 9 | . | . | . | . | 7 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | 33 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | 38 | 32 | 22 | . | . |
Viola occulta | 11.5 | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | 2 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 24 | 37 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 24 | 52 | 37 | . | . | . |
Linaria simplex | 7.0 | . | . | . | 9 | . | . | . | 2 | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | . | 1 | 41 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | 1 | 38 | 63 | . | . | . |
Herniaria incana | 16.4 | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | 3 | 28 | 5 | . | . | . | . | 4 | 2 | 46 | 29 | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 7 | . | . | 4 | 46 | 67 | . | . | 9 | . |
Callipeltis cucullaris | 7.3 | 4 | . | . | 9 | 4 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 5 | 39 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 52 | 42 | . | . | . |
Eryngium billardieri | 6.7 | 4 | . | . | 8 | 4 | . | . | . | 6 | 5 | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 9 | 27 | 5 | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 9 | 33 | 5 | 56 | 9 | . |
Alyssum dessertorum | 21.5 | 8 | . | . | 26 | 8 | . | . | 6 | 28 | 24 | . | 12 | . | . | 6 | 7 | 46 | 45 | 24 | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | 13 | 46 | 71 | 37 | . | 18 | 30 |
Sophora alopecuroides | 7.9 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | 1 | 7 | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | 12 | 29 | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 12 | 33 | 21 | 33 | 9 | 10 |
Lappula barbata | 9.7 | 16 | . | . | 11 | 16 | . | . | . | 7 | . | . | 24 | . | . | . | . | 12 | 39 | . | . | . | 40 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | 43 | 47 | 11 | . | . |
Alyssum linifoluum | 6.1 | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 11 | 24 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 11 | 38 | 21 | . | . | . |
Camelina rumelica | 5.2 | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 22 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 33 | 21 | . | . | . |
Asperula arvens | 12.1 | 4 | . | . | 15 | 4 | . | . | 3 | 17 | 5 | . | 6 | . | . | 1 | 7 | 28 | 27 | 5 | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | 13 | 28 | 48 | 11 | 11 | 9 | . |
Galium verticillatum | 5.8 | 4 | . | . | 7 | 4 | . | . | . | 1 | 5 | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 1 | 33 | 5 | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 43 | 37 | . | 9 | . |
Verbascum cheiranthifolium | 19.4 | 16 | . | . | 23 | 16 | . | . | 2 | 32 | 14 | . | 24 | . | . | 1 | 2 | 53 | 31 | 14 | . | . | 20 | 29 | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | 4 | 53 | 52 | 21 | . | 27 | . |
Psatyrostachys fragilis | 12.7 | 12 | . | . | 15 | 12 | . | . | 8 | 14 | . | . | 18 | . | . | 8 | 7 | 22 | 27 | . | . | . | 20 | 14 | . | . | . | . | 15 | . | . | 13 | 22 | 29 | 26 | 22 | . | . |
All. 4.2.1 (11 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Astragalus microcephalus | 22.7 | 8 | . | . | 28 | 8 | . | . | . | 50 | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | 82 | 22 | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 82 | 48 | 5 | . | . | . |
Ceratocephala testiculata | 18.2 | . | . | . | 23 | . | . | . | 7 | 36 | 5 | . | . | . | . | 7 | 7 | 59 | 12 | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | 13 | 59 | 29 | . | . | . | 10 |
Draba nemorosa | 16.1 | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | 5 | 34 | 19 | . | . | . | . | 1 | 11 | 55 | 2 | 19 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | 21 | 55 | 5 | . | . | 18 | 20 |
Agropyron cristatum | 19.7 | 4 | . | . | 24 | 4 | . | . | 7 | 38 | 19 | . | 6 | . | . | 10 | 2 | 62 | 10 | 19 | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | 17 | . | . | 4 | 62 | 24 | . | . | 36 | . |
Bromus tomentellus | 15.5 | . | . | . | 19 | . | . | . | 14 | 27 | . | . | . | . | . | 11 | 20 | 45 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | 8 | 33 | 45 | . | . | . | . | . |
Drabopsis verna | 12.1 | . | . | . | 15 | . | . | . | 2 | 25 | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 41 | 12 | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 41 | 24 | 5 | . | . | 10 |
Astragalus laricus | 3.3 | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | . | 9 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . |
Astragalus lilacinus | 12.1 | . | . | . | 15 | . | . | . | 7 | 22 | 10 | . | . | . | . | 11 | . | 37 | 4 | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | 37 | 10 | . | . | 9 | 10 |
Delphinium aquilegifolium | 3.0 | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 13 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 13 | . | . | . | . | . |
Euphorbia cheiradenia | 7.0 | 4 | . | . | 8 | 4 | . | . | 3 | 14 | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | 9 | 24 | . | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 13 | 24 | . | . | . | . | . |
[…] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All. 4.2.2 (21 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cousinia eryngioides | 4.8 | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 33 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | 42 | 67 | . | . |
Atriplex aucheri | 4.5 | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 31 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | 37 | 67 | . | . |
Stachys inflata | 7.3 | . | . | . | 9 | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 47 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 33 | 53 | 67 | . | . |
Eremopyrum bonaepartis | 3.9 | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 27 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 42 | 44 | . | . |
Caroxylon dendroides | 3.0 | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 32 | 44 | . | . |
Noaea mucronata | 7.9 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 49 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 33 | 79 | 22 | . | . |
Crepis sancta | 7.9 | 4 | . | . | 9 | 4 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 5 | 43 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 29 | 58 | 44 | . | . |
Malcolmia africana | 3.0 | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 26 | 44 | . | . |
Lappula spinocarpa | 2.4 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 16 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 32 | 22 | . | . |
Allium rubellum | 3.3 | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 22 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | 37 | 11 | . | . |
[…] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assoc. 4.2.2.1 (26 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pimpinella aurea | 2.4 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 16 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 38 | . | . | . | . |
Minuartia meyeri | 7.6 | 4 | . | . | 9 | 4 | . | . | 1 | 5 | . | . | 6 | . | . | 1 | . | 8 | 35 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | 8 | 62 | 21 | . | . | . |
Acinus graveolens | 6.4 | 4 | . | . | 8 | 4 | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 11 | 24 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 11 | 52 | 5 | . | . | . |
Astragalus caragana | 2.7 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 18 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 38 | 5 | . | . | . |
Arenaria serpyllifolia | 7.3 | 4 | . | . | 9 | 4 | . | . | . | 7 | 5 | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 12 | 27 | 5 | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | 52 | 11 | . | 9 | . |
Valerianella plagiostephana | 5.2 | 4 | . | . | 6 | 4 | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 9 | 18 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 9 | 43 | . | . | . | . |
Astragalus compactus | 1.8 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 29 | . | . | . | . |
Scariola orientalis | 8.8 | 4 | . | . | 11 | 4 | . | . | . | 7 | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 12 | 39 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | 62 | 21 | 22 | . | . |
Bufonia oliveriana | 2.7 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 16 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 33 | 5 | . | . | . |
Salvia chloroleuca | 4.8 | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 6 | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 9 | 16 | 5 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 9 | 38 | . | . | 9 | . |
[…] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Centaurea virgata | 8.5 | . | . | . | 11 | . | . | . | 1 | 10 | 14 | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | 17 | 22 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | 17 | 48 | 5 | . | 27 | . |
Assoc. 4.2.2.2 (18 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Euphorbia szovitsii | 4.2 | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | 1 | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | 1 | 24 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 1 | 5 | 58 | . | . | . |
Koelpinia linearis | 2.1 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 37 | . | . | . |
Nonnea caspica | 2.7 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 16 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 5 | 37 | . | . | . |
Glaucium elegans | 1.5 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 26 | . | . | . |
Trigonella monspeliaca | 3.0 | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | 37 | 11 | . | . |
Astragalus oxyglotis | 1.2 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 21 | . | . | . |
Euphorbia bungei | 1.2 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 21 | . | . | . |
Papaver dubium | 4.2 | 4 | . | . | 5 | 4 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 4 | 20 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 14 | 37 | . | . | . |
Conringia persica | 3.6 | 4 | . | . | 4 | 4 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 3 | 18 | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 5 | 37 | 11 | . | . |
Hyoscyamus pusillus | 1.8 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 26 | 11 | . | . |
[…] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assoc. 4.2.2.3 (9 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Oreosalsola montana | 2.7 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 18 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 100 | . | . |
Caccinia strigosa | 3.3 | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 22 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | 11 | 78 | . | . |
Atraphaxis spinosa | 3.9 | 4 | . | . | 5 | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | . | 24 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 26 | 78 | . | . |
Capparis spinosa | 1.2 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 44 | . | . |
Malabaila secacule | 4.2 | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 19 | 5 | 56 | . | . |
Tragopogon longirostris | 0.9 | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 33 | . | . |
Acanthophyllum microcephalum | 2.4 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 5 | 11 | 44 | . | . |
Hordeum glaucum | 2.1 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 16 | 33 | . | . |
Krascheninnikovia ceratoides | 2.4 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | 5 | 16 | 33 | . | . |
Ord. 4.3 (16 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vicia canescens | 4.5 | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | . | 71 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 71 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 55 | 90 |
Potentilla canescens | 7.6 | 16 | . | . | 8 | 16 | . | . | 1 | 1 | 90 | . | 24 | . | . | . | 2 | 1 | . | 90 | . | . | 10 | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 1 | . | . | . | 91 | 90 |
Tragopogon buphthalmoides | 5.2 | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 2 | 67 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | . | 67 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | 91 | 40 |
Galium verum | 10.0 | . | . | . | 13 | . | . | . | 3 | 10 | 76 | . | . | . | . | . | 9 | 16 | 2 | 76 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 17 | 16 | 5 | . | . | 55 | 100 |
Cousinia pterocaulos | 4.8 | . | . | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 2 | 62 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | . | 62 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | 36 | 90 |
Eremogone gypsophiloides | 13.3 | . | . | . | 17 | . | . | . | 4 | 17 | 76 | . | . | . | . | . | 11 | 28 | 4 | 76 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 21 | 28 | 10 | . | . | 73 | 80 |
Thinopyrum intermedium | 24.5 | 4 | . | . | 30 | 4 | . | . | 8 | 37 | 90 | . | 6 | . | . | . | 20 | 61 | 12 | 90 | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 38 | 61 | 29 | . | . | 82 | 100 |
Dactylis glomerata | 12.7 | 8 | . | . | 15 | 8 | . | . | 6 | 12 | 76 | . | 12 | . | . | . | 15 | 20 | 4 | 76 | . | . | . | 29 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 29 | 20 | 10 | . | . | 73 | 80 |
Verbascum oreophilum | 2.7 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | . | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 45 | 40 |
Taraxacum syriacum | 31.2 | . | . | . | 39 | . | . | . | 21 | 41 | 90 | . | . | . | . | 7 | 43 | 67 | 16 | 90 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | 20 | 8 | 71 | 67 | 38 | . | . | 91 | 90 |
[…] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Achillea arabica | 16.1 | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | 8 | 21 | 67 | . | . | . | . | . | 22 | 34 | 6 | 67 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | . | 33 | 34 | 14 | . | . | 73 | 60 |
Poa bulbosa | 33.3 | 48 | . | . | 37 | 48 | . | . | 10 | 50 | 86 | . | 71 | . | . | 4 | 20 | 82 | 12 | 86 | . | . | 80 | 57 | . | . | . | . | 7 | 10 | 8 | 29 | 82 | 29 | . | . | 91 | 80 |
Assoc. 4.3.1.1 (11 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Astragalus retamocarpus | 4.2 | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | . | 2 | 52 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | . | 52 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | 100 | . |
Chaerophyllum macrospermum | 3.9 | 4 | . | . | 5 | 4 | . | . | . | . | 57 | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 57 | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 82 | 30 |
Convolvulus arvensis | 3.6 | . | . | . | 5 | . | . | . | . | 5 | 24 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 2 | 24 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 5 | . | . | 45 | . |
Medicago sativa | 9.1 | . | . | . | 11 | . | . | . | 1 | 12 | 48 | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | 20 | 8 | 48 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 20 | 14 | 5 | . | 64 | 30 |
Orobanche alba | 0.9 | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 27 | . |
Salvia nemorosa | 0.9 | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 27 | . |
Cephalaria microcephala | 0.6 | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 18 | . |
Coronilla varia | 0.6 | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 18 | . |
Lalemanthia peltata | 1.5 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | 2 | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | 18 | . |
Chondrilla juncea | 2.7 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | 2 | 19 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 4 | 19 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 10 | . | . | 27 | 10 |
[…] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assoc. 4.3.1.2 (10 diagnostic species) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prangos ferulacea | 2.7 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | 2 | 33 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | . | 33 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | 70 |
Trifolium repens | 1.8 | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | . | . | 29 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 29 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 60 |
Isatis cappadocica | 3.9 | 4 | . | . | 5 | 4 | . | . | . | 3 | 33 | . | 6 | . | . | . | . | 5 | 2 | 33 | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | 5 | . | . | 9 | 60 |
Achillea millefolium | 3.3 | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | 1 | 1 | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | 1 | . | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | 1 | . | . | . | 27 | 60 |
Muscari caucasica | 13.0 | 4 | . | . | 16 | 4 | . | . | 2 | 23 | 52 | . | 6 | . | . | . | 4 | 38 | . | 52 | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 8 | 38 | . | . | . | 27 | 80 |
Salvia atropatana | 2.1 | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | . | 2 | 24 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | . | 24 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | . | . | . | 9 | 40 |
Heracleum anisactis | 0.9 | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 30 |
Astragalus modestus | 13.0 | . | . | . | 16 | . | . | . | 17 | 11 | 43 | . | . | . | . | 11 | 26 | 18 | . | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 17 | 20 | . | 42 | 18 | . | . | . | 18 | 70 |
Campeiostachys elongatiformis | 10.0 | 20 | . | . | 11 | 20 | . | . | 3 | 10 | 52 | . | 29 | . | . | . | 7 | 17 | 2 | 52 | . | . | 20 | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 13 | 17 | 5 | . | . | 36 | 70 |
Ranunculus elbursensis | 0.9 | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | 1 | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | 20 |
Differential species for two classes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Veronica aucheri | 7.3 | 24 | 38 | . | 2 | 24 | 38 | . | 3 | 1 | . | 63 | 6 | 38 | . | 4 | . | 1 | . | . | 100 | 25 | . | 14 | 88 | . | . | 6 | 2 | . | . | . | 1 | . | . | . | . | . |
Differential species for two alliances | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Poa pratensis | 5.5 | 28 | . | . | 4 | 28 | . | . | . | 2 | 38 | . | 41 | . | . | . | . | 4 | . | 38 | . | . | 40 | 43 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 | . | . | . | 9 | 70 |
Minuartia lineata | 12.7 | 28 | . | . | 13 | 28 | . | . | 23 | 6 | . | . | 41 | . | . | 11 | 41 | 11 | . | . | . | . | . | 100 | . | . | . | 3 | 17 | 30 | 25 | 54 | 11 | . | . | . | . | . |
Helichrysum psychrophilum | 5.2 | 8 | 5 | . | 5 | 8 | 5 | . | 11 | . | . | 25 | . | 5 | . | . | 28 | . | . | . | . | 50 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | 10 | 67 | 17 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Companion species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Festuca valesiaca | 46.1 | 4 | 49 | 75 | 49 | 4 | 49 | 75 | 60 | 42 | 5 | . | 6 | 49 | 75 | 81 | 28 | 68 | 12 | 5 | . | . | . | 14 | 19 | 71 | 75 | 58 | 98 | 60 | 8 | 25 | 68 | 29 | . | . | . | 10 |
Bromus paulsenii | 31.2 | 32 | 59 | 75 | 27 | 32 | 59 | 75 | 59 | . | . | 100 | . | 59 | 75 | 71 | 41 | . | . | . | 100 | 100 | . | . | 6 | 100 | 75 | 90 | 56 | 100 | 42 | 17 | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Poa araratica | 28.5 | 32 | 16 | 50 | 30 | 32 | 16 | 50 | 61 | 5 | . | 75 | 12 | 16 | 50 | 74 | 41 | 8 | . | . | 100 | 50 | . | 29 | 13 | 19 | 50 | 81 | 68 | 60 | 50 | 29 | 8 | . | . | . | . | . |
Erysimum caespitosum | 26.4 | 12 | 54 | 50 | 23 | 12 | 54 | 50 | 51 | 2 | . | 38 | . | 54 | 50 | 67 | 26 | 3 | . | . | 25 | 50 | . | . | 56 | 52 | 50 | 84 | 54 | 40 | . | 33 | 3 | . | . | . | . | . |
Dracocephalum aucheri | 17.3 | 12 | 51 | 50 | 13 | 12 | 51 | 50 | 28 | . | . | 38 | . | 51 | 50 | 46 | . | . | . | . | 75 | . | . | . | 81 | 29 | 50 | 87 | 15 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Rochelia persica | 14.2 | 8 | . | . | 17 | 8 | . | . | 6 | 23 | 14 | . | 12 | . | . | 1 | 13 | 38 | 12 | 14 | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | 10 | . | 21 | 38 | 29 | . | . | 9 | 20 |
Cerastium dichotomum | 10.6 | 12 | . | . | 12 | 12 | . | . | 2 | 19 | . | . | 18 | . | . | 1 | 2 | 32 | 12 | . | . | . | 30 | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | 4 | 32 | 29 | . | . | . | . |
Filago arvensis | 10.6 | 4 | . | . | 13 | 4 | . | . | 10 | 12 | . | . | 6 | . | . | 6 | 17 | 20 | 14 | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | . | . | . | 10 | 10 | 8 | 25 | 20 | 24 | 11 | . | . | . |
Geranium persicum | 10.3 | . | . | . | 13 | . | . | . | 3 | 22 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | 7 | 36 | 2 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 13 | 36 | 5 | . | . | 9 | 20 |
Silene marshalii | 8.8 | . | . | . | 11 | . | . | . | . | 17 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | 28 | 10 | 14 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 28 | 24 | . | . | 9 | 20 |
Melica jacquemonti | 8.5 | 8 | . | . | 10 | 8 | . | . | 10 | 8 | . | . | 12 | . | . | 3 | 22 | 13 | 8 | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | 5 | . | 8 | 38 | 13 | 19 | . | . | . | . |
Gagea confusa | 7.9 | . | . | . | 10 | . | . | . | 8 | 12 | . | . | . | . | . | 6 | 11 | 20 | 4 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 3 | 7 | . | . | 21 | 20 | 10 | . | . | . | . |
Descurainia sophia | 7.0 | 16 | . | . | 7 | 16 | . | . | 4 | 7 | 10 | . | 24 | . | . | 7 | . | 12 | 6 | 10 | . | . | 40 | . | . | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | 12 | 5 | 11 | . | 18 | . |
Tulipa montana | 7.0 | 12 | . | . | 8 | 12 | . | . | 1 | 10 | . | . | 18 | . | . | 1 | . | 17 | 12 | . | . | . | 30 | . | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | 17 | 29 | . | . | . | . |
Stachys lavandulifolia | 6.7 | 8 | . | . | 8 | 8 | . | . | . | 12 | . | . | 12 | . | . | . | . | 20 | 10 | . | . | . | 20 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 20 | 24 | . | . | . | . |
Bupleurum exaltatum | 6.4 | 16 | . | . | 6 | 16 | . | . | 1 | 6 | . | . | 24 | . | . | 1 | . | 9 | 18 | . | . | . | 30 | 14 | . | . | . | . | 2 | . | . | . | 9 | 29 | . | 33 | . | . |
Ferula ovina | 5.8 | 12 | . | . | 6 | 12 | . | . | . | 9 | 19 | . | 18 | . | . | . | . | 14 | 2 | 19 | . | . | 30 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 14 | . | 5 | . | 36 | . |
Ziziphora clinopodioides subsp. elbursensis | 5.8 | 8 | 11 | . | 5 | 8 | 11 | . | 11 | . | . | 25 | . | 11 | . | 18 | . | . | . | . | 50 | . | . | . | . | 19 | . | 29 | 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
Polygonum serpyllaceum | 5.5 | 8 | 22 | 50 | 2 | 8 | 22 | 50 | 5 | . | . | 25 | . | 22 | 50 | 6 | 4 | . | . | . | . | 50 | . | . | . | 38 | 50 | 10 | 2 | 10 | 8 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
[…] |
DCA showed a considerable floristic variation between the 18 plant communities, which were mostly well separated on the first ordination plain (Figure
Except for the associations developing on mown sites (4.3.1.1 and 4.3.1.2), which prefer soils with fine structure, all other associations showed high content of rocks in these habitats (Figure
DCA ordination of the relevés and underlying environmental and vegetation features (eigenvalues and gradient lengths of axis 1: 0.86/9.87, axis 2: 0.58/6.26). The colors correspond to the nine alliances. 1.1.1.1. Veronica aucheri-Corydalis rupestris community; 1.1.1.2. Iranecio oligolepis community; 1.1.2.1. Salvia xanthocheila community; 1.1.2.2. Rosa iberica community; 2.1.1.1. Dracocephaletum aucheri; 2.1.1.2. Myosotido olympicae-Lamietum tomentosi; 3.1.1.1. Ranunculo crymophili-Oxyrietum digynae; 4.1.1.1. Senecio iranici-Astragaletum macrosemius; 4.1.1.2. Cousinietum harazensis; 4.1.2.1. Astragalus iodotropis-Bromus paulsenii; 4.1.2.2. Astragaletum iodotropidis; Astragaletum ochrochlori; 4.2.1.1. Astragalo lilacini-Astragaletum microcephali; 4.2.1.2 Astragalo compacti-Feruletum persicae; 4.2.2.2. Artemisietum aucheri; 4.2.2.3. Caccinio strigosae-Oreosalsoletum montanae; 4.3.1.1. Astragaletum retamocarpi; 4.3.1.2. Heracleo anisactidi-Prangetum ferulaceae.
Boxplots showing the range of elevation, stone and rocks, fine soil, inclination, total vegetation cover, richness of syntaxonomic units. Dashed line shows the mean value for each alliance. Different letters within one syntaxonomic level indicate significant differences at p < 0.05 according to Tukey’s test.
1. Class: unknown – Chasmophytic communities
Diagnostic species: Pimpinella tragium, Valeriana sisymbrifolia, Veronica aucheri (D)
1.1. Tanacetalia kotschyi
Diagnostic species: Pimpinella tragium, Valeriana sisymbrifolia
This order comprises vegetation of subalpine and alpine rocky habitats of Iran, east of Anatoli, Transcaucasus and north of Iraq (
1.1.1. Campanulion lauricae
Diagnostic species: Galium delicatulum, Helichrysum psychrophilum (D), Lamium tomentosum (D) (central alliance)
The alliance was introduced for subalpine-alpine rocky habitats of the central Alborz Mts. Campanula laurica is an endemic species of Alborz Mts and mostly recorded in montane and subalpine elevations. It was observed sparsely in rocky outcrops of our study region, up to 3000 m a.s.l., but was not recorded in our relevé.
1.1.1.1. Veronica aucheri-Corydalis rupestris community (Figure
Diagnostic species: Artemisia chamaemelifolia (D), Asperula glomerata subsp. bracteosa, Corydalis rupestris
This association predominated west-ward exposed steep rocks (mean of 75°) in the high alpine zone and elevationally ranged between 3700–4100 m a.s.l. The average species richness of the plots was 4 (Figure
1.1.1.2. Iranecio oligolepis community (Figure
Diagnostic species: Alopecurus textilis (D), Iranecio oligolepis, Nepeta racemosa
This association occupied gentle leeward-exposed rocky slopes in the high alpine zone of the study area, ranging elevationally between 3700 and 3900 m a.s.l. Contrary to the Veronica aucheri-Corydalis rupestris community, soil is deeper and mean species richness is higher (ca. 10 species per relevé) (Figure
1.1.2. Alliance unknown
Diagnostic species: Cervaria cervariifolia, Dianthus orientalis, Dracocephalum kotschyi, Eremogone polycnemifolia, Gypsophila aretioides, Minuartia lineata (D), Parietaria judaica, Pimpinella tragium, Poa pratensis (D), Prunus pseudoprostrata, Scrophularia variegata, Stipa arabica (D), Tanacetum polycephalum
This group comprised rocky habitats of the subalpine elevational zone of the region.
1.1.2.1. Salvia xanthocheila community (Figure
Diagnostic species: Bromus tectorum (D), Dielsiocharis kotschyi, Ephedra major, Fibigia suffruticosa, Galium hyrcanicum, Lappula barbata (D), Pseudosedum multicaule, Rosa canina, Rumex scutatus, Salvia xanthocheila, Silene commelinifolia, Sisymbrium gaubae
This community was observed on exposed rocky outcrops of subalpine zone, ranging elevationally between 2000 and 2300 m a.s.l. The community occupies slopes with an average inclination of 80° and mean species richness is 20 species per relevé (Figure
1.1.2.2. Rosa iberica community (Figure
Diagnostic species: Allium capitellatum, Arabis caucasica, Rosa iberica, Rhamnus pallasii, Poa sterilis, Sempervivum iranicum, Silene aucheriana, Tanacetum parthenium, Ziziphora clinopodioides subsp. rigida
This community mostly occupied shaded and leeward rocky slopes with available soil that predominantly occurred in valleys where conditions are more suitable for growth of shrubs and nano-phanerophytes. It was observed in the elevational range of 2100 to 2500 m a.s.l. Mean species richness is almost 19 species per relevé (Figure
Photos of vegetation units belonging to the Tanacetalia kotschyi (a-d) and Didymophyso aucheri-Dracocephaletea aucheri (e and f): a. Veronica aucheri-Corydalis rupestris community (1.1.1.1); b. Iranecio oligolepis community (1.1.1.2); c. Salvia xanthocheila community (1.1.2.1); d. Rosa iberica community (1.1.2.2); e. Dracocephaletum aucheri (2.1.1.1); f. Myosotido olympicae-Lamietum tomentosi (2.1.1.2) (Photos: Amir Talebi).
2. Didymophyso aucheri-Dracocephaletea aucheri - Scree communities
Diagnostic species: Achillea aucheri, Didymophysa aucheri, Veronica aucheri (D)
This class comprises open plant communities on unstable or stable screes in the alpine and subnival–nival zones of Alborz and North-West mountains of Iran. The communities of this class are distinguished from alpine snowbed and thorn cushion grasslands by low vegetation cover, high proportion of open scree cover and distinctive species composition (
2.1. Didymophysetalia aucheri
Diagnostic species: Achillea aucheri, Didymophysa aucheri
2.1.1. Didymophysion aucheri
Diagnostic species: Achillea aucheri, Didymophysa aucheri
This alliance included open communities at the upper limit of vascular plant species in the subnival–nival zone of Central Alborz. Very low cover–abundance of grasses, absence of thorn- cushions, low species richness, sparse plant cover and a high percentage of open scree are the main features of this alliance (
2.1.1.1. Dracocephaletum aucheri (Figure
Diagnostic species: Didymophysa aucheri (central association)
This association was located on the highest elevation in the study area and has also been recorded as the highest association in the Iranian mountains (
2.1.1.2. Myosotido olympicae-Lamietum tomentosi (Figure
Diagnostic species: Crepis multicaulis, Elymus longearistatus, Lamium tomentosum, Myosotis olympica subsp. demawendica
This association was mainly recorded on scree habitats in lower elevations ranging from 3700 to 4070 m a.s.l. and occupied the moraines with gentle leeward slopes (5–35°) on the bottom of the valleys, where the average extent of stone and rocks is 70% and the mean vegetation cover is 20%. There is a high snow accumulation particularly in winter. Mean species richness is 10 species per relevé (Figure
3. Salicetea herbaceae - Snowbed communities
Diagnostic species: Artemisia melanolepis, Catabrosella parviflora, Cerastium purpurascens, Dichodon cerastoides, Erigeron uniflorus, Ranunculus crymophilus
3.1. Order unknown
Diagnostic species: Artemisia melanolepis, Catabrosella parviflora, Cerastium purpurascens, Dichodon cerastoides, Erigeron uniflorus, Ranunculus crymophilus
3.1.1. Taraxaco brevirostris-Polygonion serpyllacei
Diagnostic species: Catabrosella parviflora, Cerastium purpurascens, Dichodon cerastoides, Erigeron uniflorus, Ranunculus crymophilus
This alliance included snow-bed and meltwater communities, where snow accumulates in depressions and runnels during winter and persists until mid-summer and is mostly dominated by small herbs. The growth period is too short to allow the occurrence of chamaephytes and large hemicryptophytes (
3.1.1.1. Ranunculo crymophili-Oxyrietum digynae (Figure
Diagnostic species: Dichodon cerastoides, Erigeron uniflorus, Ranunculus crymophilus
This association occurred in only one restricted location in high elevations, between 3950 and 4100 m a.s.l., in the south-eastern parts of the study area. It is a snow-bed, formed on a gentle depression with a low degree of inclination (5–15°), where snow accumulates and persists until mid-summer. Mean species richness is almost 10 species per relevé (Figure
Photos of vegetation units belonging to Salicetea herbaceae (a) and Astragalo-Brometea (b-f): a. Ranunculo crymophili-Oxyrietum digynae (3.1.1.1); b. Senecio iranici-Astragaletum macrosemii (4.1.1.1); c. Cousinietum harazensis (4.1.1.2); d. Astragalus iodotropis-Bromus paulsenii community (4.1.2.1); e. Astragaletum iodotropidis (4.1.2.2); f. Astragaletum ochrochlori (4.1.2.3) (Photos: Amir Talebi).
4. Astragalo-Brometea – Irano-Turanian grasslands
Diagnostic species: Astragalus modestus, Papaver bracteatum, Polygonum alpestre, Polygonum rottboellioides, Silene bupleuroides, Taraxacum syriacum, Thymus kotschyanus, Veronica biloba
This class includes high mountain grasslands, xerophytic dwarf-shrub and thorn-cushion communities of Anatolia, the Levant and NW Iran (
4.1. Drabetalia pulchellae
Diagnostic species: Alopecurus textilis, Artemisia chamaemelifoliamifolia, Blitum virgatum, Campanula stevenii, Carex pseudo-foetida, Cousinia harazensis, Draba pulchella, Onobrychis cornuta, Veronica kurdica
This order comprises all thorn-cushion associations in the alpine zone of the study region. The order was firstly proposed as provisional based on insufficient vegetation data from a local study site (
4.1.1. Acantholimion demavendici
Diagnostic species: Acantholimon demawendicum, Astragalus macrosemius (central alliance)
The physiognomy of this alliance is dominated by thorn-cushion species. It occupies dry and wind exposed habitats in the alpine region (
4.1.1.1. Senecio iranici-Astragaletum macrosemii (Figure
Diagnostic species: Artemisia melanolepis (D), Astragalus macrosemius, Catabrosella parviflora (D), Cerastium purpurascens (D), Draba siliquosa, Potentilla polyschista, Senecio iranicus
This association is typical for the nival zone vegetation, ranging elevationally between 4000 to 4200 m a.s.l. Vegetation cover ranges from 40 to 80% and mean stone cover reaches to 55%. Mean species richness is 12 species per relevé (Figure
4.1.1.2. Cousinietum harazensis (Figures
Diagnostic species: Acantholimon demawendicum, Acantholimon erinaceum, Campanula stevenii, Cousinia harazensis, Silene palinotricha
This association featured the main vegetation formation of the alpine belt and was mainly confined to southern and south-eastern slopes of Mt. Damavand. The association covers southward and exposed habitat of the study area, at elevations ranging from 3000 to 4000 m a.s.l. The average vegetation cover is 60% and mean species richness is 25 species in 25 m2 (Figure
4.1.2. Astragalion iodotropidis
Diagnostic species: Astragalus iodotropis, Cirsium lappaceum, Helichrysum psychrophilum (D), Herniaria glabra, Leonuurus cardiaca, Minuartia lineata (D), Piptatherum laterale, Polygonum patulum, Potentilla argyroloma, Taraxacum brevirostre, Tragopogon kotschyi
This alliance comprises alpine grasslands with good soil and water supply. These communities provide excellent habitats for summer grazing and are probably endemic in Central Alborz (
4.1.2.1. Bromus paulsenii-Astragalus iodotropis community (Figures
Diagnostic species: none of its own
This association showed an intermediate status in composition and ecological condition between Cousinietum harazensis and Astragaletum iodotropidis. This community was clearly separated on the DCA ordination (Figure
4.1.2.2. Astragaletum iodotropidis (Figures
Diagnostic species: Hordeum violaceum, Tragopogon kotschyi (central association)
Astragaletum iodotropidis occurred on leeward slopes, depressions and margins of snow-beds where snow cover and soil humidity remain for a longer time. This association was distributed between 3450 and 4000 m a.s.l. on steep to moderate slopes (average 25°). The community is characterized by a low percentage of rock cover (average 3%) and high plant cover percentage (average 85%) of predominantly short and creeping hemicryptophytes. Mean species richness is almost 13 species per relevé (Figure
4.1.2.3. Astragaletum ochrochlori (Figure
Diagnostic species: Astragalus ochrochlorus, Bromus tometellus (D), Cousinia multiloba, Plantago atrata, Taraxacum syriacum (D)
The Astragaletum ochrochlori association is ecologically and physiognomically close to the Astragaletum iodotropidis association, but is located mainly at lower elevation (2500 to 3500 m a.s.l., with optimum range between 2900 and 3400 m a. s. l.). This association occurred on leeward gentle slopes and depressions with relatively low stone cover (average 35%). Mean of total vegetation cover was between 70% and average species richness was 21 per relevés (Figure
4.2. Astragalo-Brometalia
Diagnostic species: Acinos graveolens, Adonis aestivalis, Alyssum dessertorum, Alyssum marginatum, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Artemisia aucheri, Asperula arvensis, Bassia prostrata, Bilacunaria microcarpa, Bromus tectorum, Bromus danthoniae, Alyssum minus, Callipeltis cucullaris, Camelina rumelica, Eryngium billardieri, Consolida teheranica, Callicephalus nitens, Ferula persica, Galium spurium, Galium verticillatum, Haplophyllum acutifolium, Herniaria incana, Lamium amplexicaule, Lappula barbata, Linaria simplex, Meniocus linifolius, Minuartia meyeri, Orobanche mutelii, Psathyrostachys fragilis, Scariola orientalis, Senecio glaucus, Sisymbrium altissimum, Sophora alopecuroides, Stipa arabica, Teucrium polium, Taeniatherum caput-medusae, Trigonella monantha, Verbascum cheiranthifolium, Tragopogon collinum, Viola occulta, Ziziphora tenuior
This order represents xerophytic mountain vegetation dominated with thorn-cushion communities and dwarf shrublands of the subalpine zone (
4.2.1. Alliance unknown
Diagnostic species: Agropyron cristatum, Astragalus laricus, Astragalus lilacinus, Astragalus microcephalus, Bromus tomentellus, Ceratocephala testiculata, Delphinium aquilegifolium, Draba nemorosa, Draba nuda, Euphorbia cheiradenia, Geranium persicum, Iris barnumiae, Rochelia persica
4.2.1.1 Astragalo lilacini-Astragaletum microcephali (Figure
Diagnostic species: Agropyron cristatum, Astragalus laricus, Astragalus lilacinus, Ceratocephala testiculata, Delphinium aquilegifolium, Draba nemorosa, Draba nuda, Euphorbia cheiradenia, Geranium persicum, Iris barnumiae, Poa bulbosa (D), Rochelia persica, Tanacetum polycephalum (D), Taraxacum syriacum (D), Thinopyrum intermedium (D)
This group covers the subalpine zones of the region with a wide range of habitat and vegetation features. It is distributed across an elevational range of 2300 to 3000 m a.s.l., on grounds with an average inclination of 20°. The mean total vegetation cover is 70% and the mean species richness of almost 25 in 25 m2 (Figure
Photos of vegetation units belonging to Astragalo-Brometea: a. Astragalo lilacini-Astragaletum microcephali (4.2.1.1); b. Astragalo compacti-Feruletum persicae (4.2.2.1); c. Artemisietum aucheri (4.2.2.2); d. Caccinio strigosae-Oreosalsoletum montanae (4.2.2.3); e. Astragaletum retamocarpi (4.3.1.1); f. Heracleo anisactidis-Prangetum ferulaceae (4.3.1.2) (Photos: Amir Talebi).
4.2.2. Artemision aucheri
Diagnostic species: Aegilops triuncialis, Allium rubellum, Asparagus persicus, Atriplex aucheri, Caccinia strigosa, Conringia persica, Cousinia eryngioides, Crepis sancta, Eremopyrum bonaepartis, Erodium cicutarium, Hordeum glaucum, Krascheninnikovia ceratoides, Lappula spinocarpa, Malabaila secacul, Malcolmia africana, Medicago monspeliaca, Nitrosalsola dendroides, Noaea mucronata, Onosma microcarpa, Stachys inflate, Turgenia latifolia
This new alliance comprises communities of xeric habitats under drier condition of the lower elevations (montane zone) of the study area. An extensive presence of annual life form and xerophytic taxa are features of this vegetation unit. Most of the main taxa are also widespread across the Irano-Turanian phytogeographical region. This alliance is also called “Stipa-Artemisia steppes” (
4.2.2.1. Astragalo compacti-Feruletum persicae (Figure
Diagnostic species: Acinus graveolens, Allium stamineum, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Arrhenatherum kotschyi, Astragalus caragana, Astragalus compactus, Astragalus demavendicola, Astragalus microcephalus (D), Bufonia oliveriana, Carduus transcaspicus, Centaurea virgata, Cousinia behboudiana, Crupina crupinastrum, Heteropappus altaicus, Henrardia persica, Minuartia meyeri, Papaver argemone, Phlomis olivieri, Phalaris minor, Pimpinella aurea, Prunus pseudoprostrata (D), Salvia chloroleuca, Salvia hypoleuca, Sanguisorba minor, Scariola orientalis, Sedum rubens, Trigonella coerulescens, Valerianella plagiostephana
This community, ranging elevationally from 1900 to 2400 m a.s.l., is located in transition from montane to subalpine zones. The habitat is relatively steep (approximate mean of 25°) and stone cover is high (average 45%). This community is characterised by the richest number of species, with the mean species richness of 42 species per relevé (Figure
4.2.2.2. Artemisietum aucheri (Figure
Diagnostic species: Aegilops tauschii, Anchusa arvensis, Artemisia aucheri, Astragalus oxyglotis, Dysphania botrys, Clypeola jonthlaspi, Conringia persica, Euphorbia bungei, Euphorbia szovitsii, Glaucium elegans, Heliotropium europaeum, Hyoscyamus pusillus, Koelpinia linearis, Marrubium cuneatum, Nonea caspica, Papaver dubium, Salsola tragus, Saponaria orientalis, Stipa arabica, Trigonella monspeliaca
This association comprises steppe vegetation in the lowermost limit of elevational range of the study region, from 1530 to 1800 m a.s.l. It probably also occurs even lower, where we did not sample. The average species richness is almost 25 taxa in 25 m2 (Figure
4.2.2.3. Caccinio strigosae-Oreosalsoletum montana (Figure
Diagnostic species: Acanthophyllum microcephalum, Atraphaxis spinosa, Caccinia strigosa, Capparis spinosa, Hordeum glaucum, Krascheninnikovia ceratoides, Malabaila secacul, Oreosalsola montana, Tragopogon coelesyriacus
This species-poor association was recorded within the elevation range of 1500 to 1700 m a.s.l. It is mainly well developed on steep slopes (average 45°) with high cover of rock and stone (up to 70% and average of 50%) and calcareous substrates. Vegetation cover is low (between 45 and 60% and an average of 50%) and the dominance of dwarf shrubs taxa is remarkable, with the existence of bare ground creating a suitable habitat for some ruderal species. Average species richness is 20 taxa in 25 m2 (Figure
4.3. Order: unknown
Diagnostic species: Achillea arabica, Achillea millefolium, Campeiostachys elongatiformis, Chaerophyllum macrospermum, Chondrilla juncea, Cousinia pterocaulos, Dactylis glomerata, Echinops pungens, Eremogone gypsophiloides, Galium verum, Medicago sativa, Orobanche crenua, Poa bulbosa, Potentilla canescens, Rumex elbursensis, Salvia atropatana, Taraxacum syriacum, Thinopyrum intermedium, Tragopogon buphthalamoides, Veronica orientalis, Verbascum oreophilum, Vicia canescens
4.3.1. Alliance: Cousinion pterocauli
Diagnostic species: Achillea arabica, Achillea millefolium, Campeiostachys elongatiformis, Chaerophyllum macrospermum, Chondrilla juncea, Cousinia pterocaulos, Dactylis glomerata, Echinops pungens, Eremogone gypsophiloides, Galium verum, Medicago sativa, Orobanche crenua, Poa pratensis (D), Potentilla canescens, Rumex elbursensis, Salvia atropatana, Tragopogon buphthalamoides, Veronica orientalis, Verbascum oreophilum, Vicia canescens
Plant communities belonging to this alliance covered the grasslands in the subalpine elevational zone that are under a mowing management regime, situated between 2300 and 3000 m a.s.l. Fine-textured soil, and protection against early grazing and mowing activity, has resulted in a dense and tall plant cover dominated by hemicryptophytes. Due to the high productivity and palatability of the forbs, mowing is a common practice in this vegetation type, and its formation may be the result of long-term management. Cousinia pterocaulos is distributed from central Alborz to the Talish region of Azerbaijan Republic.
4.3.1.1. Astragaletum retamocarpi (Figure
Diagnostic species: Astragalus retamocarpus, Chaerophyllum macrospermum, Convolvulus arvensis, Cephalaria microcephala, Chondrilla juncea, Coronilla varia, Lalemanthia peltata, Medicago sativa, Orobanche alba, Salvia nemorosa, Scabiosa argentea
This association is a natural or semi-natural vegetation unit and its expansion is probably a result of long term management activities including protection against early grazing and mowing in the middle of the growing season. The elevational range for this association was between 2300 and 2700 m a.s.l., inclination was between 0 and 30°, often formed on leeward or flat slopes. Soil was deep and well developed and with a low cover of stone and rock (average 10%) and mostly on moderate slopes (average 10°). Total vegetation cover was mostly 100% and plant canopy reached more than 2 m. Average species richness is 24 taxa in 25 m2 (Figure
4.3.1.2. Heracleo anisactidis-Prangetum ferulacea (Figure
Diagnostic species: Achillea millefolium, Astragalus modestus, Heracleum anisactis, Isatis cappadocica, Muscari caucasica, Prangos ferulacea, Ranunculus elbursensis, Trifolium repens, Salvia atropatana
This community was observed on mown sites at the higher elevations, in the range of 2900–3000 m a.s.l., where the grasslands are protected by stony borders against grazing. Habitat features are the same as the previous association. Average species richness is almost 22 species in 25 m2 (Figure
Our study represents the first detailed syntaxonomic analysis of the vegetation along the 3000-m elevational gradient of Mt. Damavand. Four major vegetation types (rocky, scree, snow-beds and grasslands) reflecting four phytosociological classes were identified in this elevational gradient. However, a few uncertainties remain, particularly in the classification of some montane-subalpine grasslands. Certain vegetation units have been provisionally assigned as communities due to the need for further sampling to confirm their status. Specifically, we call for more extensive sampling in other parts of the Alborz Mountains and adjacent ranges to validate and more precisely define higher syntaxa. Notably, the high endemism in these mountains leads to significant differences from nearby regions such as the Caucasus, Anatolia and Central Asia (
Rocky or chasmophytic habitat features a dominant physiognomy of most mountain and alpine belts of the Irano-Turanian region (
The scree vegetation of the Alborz range is differentiated from two other alpine vegetation types, snowbed and thorn cushion grasslands, by their low vegetation cover and distinctive species composition, with a high rate of local endemism (
The snowbed vegetation, characterised by low species diversity and limited spatial extent, has posed challenges for classification.
The majority parts of the studied mountains are covered by steppes and grasslands ranging from lowland to alpine areas. These major vegetation types represent a diversity of physiognomy and floristic composition, including lowland Stipa-Artemisia semi-deserts, montane-subalpine to alpine thorn-cushion communities, and semi-natural grasslands. Classification of the alpine thorn-cushion communities, which dominate much of the alpine areas of the Alborz, has been challenging.
The classification of the montane-subalpine vegetation remains particularly challenging.
In Middle Asia, feather-grass steppes have been classified under the provisional order Carici stenophylloidis-Stipetalia arabicae within the Astragalo-Brometea (
The Damavand vegetation has some close similarities with the newly described Cousinio brachypterae-Stipetalia arabicae, which unites Armenian dry grasslands and xeric thorn-cushion communities (
A notable contribution of our study is the classification of semi-natural, mown tall-forb grasslands, which had not been previously examined in Iran. These grasslands, shaped by long-term grazing and mowing practices, are dominated by tall hemicryptophytes, leading to the decline of annuals and thorn-cushion species. The mown communities were assigned to the new alliance Cousinion petrocauli, probably belonging to an undescribed order within the Astragalo-Brometea. Despite their wide geographic range, we did not find closely related communities described elsewhere. Floristic similarities with Middle Asian communities (
Elevation emerged as the primary environmental gradient shaping vegetation patterns along the study transect, as expected given its influence on temperature, humidity, and other ecological factors (
Large-scale phytosociological studies in Iran have often relied on sparse sampling across different regions or vegetation units. This highlights the need for detailed studies to address existing gaps and introduce new units to build a comprehensive vegetation databases (see
The original data from Mt. Damavand (species composition and header data of the plots) are provided in the Supplementary materials of this article.
AT, AN and FA conceived the idea, AT conducted field sampling, AT, AN and JD performed the statistical analyses and syntaxonomic classification, while DV led the interpretation of the syntaxa in the international context. The manuscript was mainly written by AT and AN and smaller parts by JD, while all authors critically revised and approved it.
We would like to thank Azad Rastegar, Herbarium of Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, for the preparation of the map.
The new syntaxa are sorted by their number in the text, irrespective of their rank.
2.1.1.2 Myosotido olympicae-Lamietum tomentosi ass. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: relevé 309, 27 July 2018, 35.9247° N, 52.1085° E, elevation: 3900 m a.s.l., aspect: 180°, slope: 35°, plot size: 25 m2, vascular plant species richness: 19, vegetation cover: 30%, author of the relevé: Amir Talebi.
Vascular plant composition: Achillea aucheri 6%, Elymus longearistatus 4%, Artemisia chamaemelifolia 5%, Astragalus macrosemius 0.5%, Bromus paulsenii 10%, Cerastium purpurascens 0.8%, Cirsium lappaceum 3%, Crepis multicaulis 0.6%, Dracocephalum aucheri 0.8%, Erysimum caespitosum 2%, Festuca valesiaca 1%, Helichrysum psychrophilum 1%, Lamium tomentosum 3%, Myosotis olympica 1%, Nepeta racemosa 5%, Polygonum serpyllaceum 0.5%
4.1 Drabetalia pulchellae Noroozi et al. ex Noroozi in Talebi et al. 2024 ord. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: Acantholimion demavendici
Diagnostic species: Alopecurus textilis, Artemisia chamaemelifoliamifolia, Blitum virgatum, Campanula stevenii, Carex pseudo-foetida, Cousinia harazensis, Draba pulchella, Onobrychis cornuta, Veronica kurdica
Note: The order has been provisionally published by
4.1.1.1 Senecio iranici-Astragaletum macrosemii Noroozi et al. ex Noroozi ass. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: relevé 271, 20 July 2016, 35.9309°N 52.1084°E, elevation: 4216 m a.s.l., aspect: 180°, slope: 15°, plot size: 25 m2, vascular plant species richness: 16, vegetation cover: 75%, author of the relevé: Amir Talebi
Vascular plant composition: Achillea aucheri 3%, Artemisia melanolepis 10%, Astragalus macrosemius 55%, Carex pseudo-foetida 4%, Cerastium purpurascens 3%, Chenopodium foliosum 2%, Colpodium parviflorum 3%, Draba siliquosa 1%, Dracocephalum aucheri 3%, Erysimum caespitosum 3%, Poa araratica 1%, Senecio iranicus 3%, Potentilla polyschista 3%, Veronica aucheri 0.5%, Veronica biloba 0.2%, Veronica kurdica 0.5%
Note: Due to the low number of collected plots (3),
4.1.1.2 Cousinietum harazensis ass. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: relevé 224, 30 June 2016, 35.9165°N 52.1053°E, elevation: 3495 m a.s.l., aspect: 240°, slope: 35°, plot size: 25 m2, vascular plant species richness: 14, vegetation cover: 80%, author of the relevé: Amir Talebi
Vascular plant composition: Acantholimon demawendicum 6%, Acantholimon erinaceum 13%, Alopecurus textilis 5%, Astragalus modestus 0.5%, Bromus paulsenii 5%, Campanula stevenii 1%, Cousinia harazensis 8%, Draba pulchella 0.7%, Erysimum caespitosum 0.5%, Festuca valesiaca 20%, Onobrychis cornuta 10%, Poa araratica 3%, Silene palinotricha 0.2%, Veronica kurdica 0.8%
4.1.2.3 Astragaletum ochrochlori ass. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: relevé 73, 27 July 2018, 35.9233°N 52.0326°E, elevation: 3100 m a.s.l., aspect: 220°, slope: 12°, plot size: 25 m2, vascular plant species richness: 27, vegetation cover: 85%, author of the relevé: Amir Talebi
Vascular plant composition: Alopecurus textilis 3%, Eremogone gypsophiloides 3%, Astragalus iodotropis 3%, Astragalus modestus 3%, Astragalus ochrochlorus 12%, Bromus tomentellus 3%, Cirsium lappaceum 12%, Cousinia multiloba 3%, Draba pulchella 3%, Eremopoa persica 0.6%, Erysimum caespitosum 3%, Filago arvensis 0.6%, Herniaria glabra 3%, Noccaea stenocarpa 3%, Onobrychis cornuta 12%, Papaver bracteatum 3%, Plantago atrata 3%, Piptatherum laterale 3%, Poa bulbosa 3%, Polygonum alpestre 0.6%, Polygonum patulum 0.6%, Polygonum rottboellioides 0.6%, Silene bupleuroides 3%, Taraxacum syriacum 3%, Thymus kotschyanus 3%, Veronica biloba 0.6%, Veronica kurdica 3%
4.2.1.1 Astragalo lilacini-Astragaletum microcephali ass. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: relevé 113, 10 June 2017, 35.89°N 52.10917°E, elevation: 2798 m a.s.l., aspect: 170°, slope: 15°, plot size: 25 m2, vascular plant species richness: 27, vegetation cover: 75%, author of the relevé: Amir Talebi
Vascular plant composition: Achillea arabica 5%, Alyssum desertorum 0.5%, Alyssum marginatum 0.1%, Astragalus bounophilus 0.5%, Astragalus lilacinus 0.2%, Astragalus microcephalus 35%, Bromus tomentellus 7%, Carex divisa 2%, Ceratocephala testiculata 0.2%, Dianthus orientalis 0.2%, Draba nemorosa 0.2%, Draba nuda 1%, Thinopyrum intermedium 7%, Elymus repens 8%, Festuca valesiaca 25%, Filago arvensis 0.1%, Galium spurium 0.1%, Geranium persicum 0.2%, Herniaria incana 0.5%, Ixiolirion tataricum 0.1%, Muscari caucasica 0.2%, Poa bulbosa 8%, Rochelia persica 0.2%, Stipa arabica 2%, Taraxacum syriacum 1%, Thymus kotschyanus 5%, Tragopogon reticulatus 0.1%
4.2.2 Artemision aucheri all. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: Artemisietum aucheri Talebi et al. 2024 (this paper)
Diagnostic species: Aegilops triuncialis, Allium rubellum, Asparagus persicus, Atriplex aucheri, Caccinia strigosa, Conringia persica, Cousinia eryngioides, Crepis sancta, Eremopyrum bonaepartis, Erodium cicutarium, Hordeum glaucum, Krascheninnikovia ceratoides, Lappula spinocarpa, Malabaila secacul, Malcolmia africana, Medicago monspeliaca, Nitrosalsola dendroides, Noaea mucronata, Onosma microcarpa, Stachys inflate, Turgenia latifolia
4.2.2.1 Astragalo compacti-Feruletum persicae ass. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: relevé 90, 10 May 2017, 35.87556°N 52.13833°E, elevation: 2210 m a.s.l., aspect: 160°, slope: 25°, plot size: 25 m2, vascular plant species richness: 51, vegetation cover: 85%, author of the relevé: Amir Talebi
Floristic composition: Acanthophyllum microcephalum 1%, Acinus graveolens 0.05%, Alyssum desertorum 0.01%, Alyssum marginatum 0.01%, Alyssum minus 0.2%, Arenaria serpyllifolia 0.1%, Arrhenatherum kotschyi 0.1%, Artemisia aucheri 0.5%, Artemisia scoparia 0.5%, Astragalus caragana 1%, Astragalus compactus 6%, Astragalus microcephalus 5%, Bromus danthoniae 2%, Bromus tectorum 10%, Bupleurum exaltatum 0.1%, Callipeltis cucullaris 0.01%, Carduus transcaspicus 4%, Cerastium dichotomum 0.05%, Cerasus pseudoprostrata 1%, Crupina crupinastrum 0.1%, Dianthus orientalis 5%, Erodium cicutarium 0.5%, Ferula persica 5%, Filago arvensis 0.01%, Galium spurium 0.01%, Galium verticillatum 0.05%, Helichrysum plicatum 0.2%, Heteropappus altaicus 0.1%, Hypericum scabrum 0.2%, Bassia prostrata 6%, Linaria simplex 0.1%, Melica jacquemontii 0.1%, Minuartia meyeri 0.01%, Noaea mucronata 0.01%, Nonea caspica 0.05%, Orobanche mutelii 0.01%, Phlomis olivieri 0.2%, Psathyrostachys fragilis 5%, Salvia chloroleuca 1%, Scariola orientalis 2%, Senecio glaucus 0.1%, Silene conoidea 0.01%, Silene swertiaefolia 0.5%, Sisymbrium altissimum 0.1%, Stipa arabica 1%, Sophora alopecuroides 0.5%, Taeniatherum caput-medusae 17%, Tanacetum polycephalum 0.5%, Trigonella monantha 1%, Valerianella plagiostephana 0.1%, Verbascum cheiranthifolium 0.2%, Viola occulta 0.01%
4.2.2.2 Artemisietum aucheri ass. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: relevé 207, 35.8713°N 52.1695°E, elevation: 1761 m a.s.l., aspect: 120°, slope: 30°, plot size: 25 m2, vascular plant species richness: 36, vegetation cover: 65%, author of the relevé: Amir Talebi
Vascular plant composition: Aegilops tauschii 2%, Alyssum desertorum 0.2%, Meniocus linifolius 0.1%, Alyssum marginatum 0.1%, Alyssum meniocoides 0.1%, Alyssum minus 1%, Artemisia aucheri 12%, Artemisia scoparia 0.5%, Bromus danthoniae 0.1%, Bromus tectorum 0.2%, Centaurea benedicta 0.5%, Caccinia strigosa 1%, Camelina rumelica 0.2%, Consolida teheranica 0.2%, Cousinia eryngioides 0.1%, Crepis sancta 1%, Eremopyrum bonaepartis 0.2%, Euphorbia szovitsii 0.01%, Koelpinia linearis 0.2%, Galium spurium 0.3%, Krascheninnikovia ceratoides 5%, Lappula barbata 0.1%, Lappula spinocarpa 0.2%, Linaria simplex 0.1%, Malabaila secacul 0.5%, Medicago sativa 2%, Noaea mucronata 0.5%, Nonea caspica 0.1%, Senecio glaucus 0.1%, Sisymbrium altissimum 0.2%, Sophora alopecuroides 0.3%, Stipa arabica 5%, Taeniatherum caput-medusae 20%, Turgenia latifolia 0.5%, Viola occulta 0.1%, Ziziphora tenuior 0.1%
4.2.2.3 Caccinio strigosae-Oreosalsoletum montanae ass. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: relevé 286, 35.8739°N 52.1752°E, elevation: 1735 m a.s.l., aspect: 150°, slope: 45°, plot size: 25 m2, vascular plant species richness: 24, vegetation cover: 50%, author of the relevé: Amir Talebi
Vascular plant composition: Alyssum minus 0.2%, Artemisia aucheri 8%, Atraphaxis spinosa 10%, Atriplex aucheri 1%, Bromus brachystachys 2%, Bromus danthoniae 0.2%, Bromus tectorum 4%, Bupleurum exaltatum 3%, Caccinia strigosa 1%, Cousinia eryngioides 2%, Eryngium billardieri 5%, Ferula persica 7%, Galium spurium 0.3%, Bilacunaria microcarpa 1%, Malabaila secacul 2%, Onosma microcarpa 2%, Oreosalsola montana 15%, Psathyrostachys fragilis 3%, Scariola orientalis 0.2%, Sophora alopecuroides 1%, Stachys inflata 3%, Tragopogon coelesyriacus 0.5%
4.3.1 Cousinion petrocauli all. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: Astragaletum retamocarpi Talebi et al. 2024 (this paper)
Diagnostic species: Achillea arabica, Achillea millefolium, Campeiostachys elongatiformis, Chaerophyllum macrospermum, Chondrilla juncea, Cousinia pterocaulos, Dactylis glomerata, Echinops pungens, Eremogone gypsophiloides, Galium verum, Medicago sativa, Orobanche crenua, Poa pratensis (D), Potentilla canescens, Rumex elbursensis, Salvia atropatana, Tragopogon buphthalamoides, Veronica orientalis, Verbascum oreophilum, Vicia canescens
4.3.1.1. Astragaletum retamocarpi ass. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: relevé 265, 35.8727°N 52.1008°E, elevation: 2548 m a.s.l., aspect: 120°, slope: 10°, plot size: 25 m2, vascular plant species richness: 17, vegetation cover: 100%, author of the relevé: Amir Talebi
Floristic composition: Achillea arabica 4%, Astragalus retamocarpus 55%, Chaerophyllum macrospermum 50%, Cousinia pterocaulos 3%, Dactylis glomerata 5%, Echinops pungens 3%, Eremogone gypsophiloides 5%, Ferula ovina 5%, Galium verum 3%, Papaver bracteatum 3%, Poa bulbosa 5%, Polygonum alpestre 2%, Potentilla canescens 5%, Taraxacum syriacum 2%, Thinopyrum intermedium 10%, Tragopogon buphthalamoides 2%, Vicia canescens 7%
4.3.1.2. Heracleo anisactidis-Prangetum ferulaceae ass. nov. hoc loco
Holotypus hoc loco: relevé 179, 35.9017° N 52.1122° E, elevation: 2977 m a.s.l., aspect: 150°, slope: 7°, plot size: 25 m2, vascular plant species richness: 21, vegetation cover: 100%, author of the relevé: Amir Talebi
Vascular plant composition: Achillea millefolium 30%, Astragalus modestus 5%, Chaerophyllum macrospermum 5%, Cousinia pterocaulos 3%, Dactylis glomerata 4%, Elymus repens 20%, Eremogone gypsophiloides 6%, Galium verum 5%, Heracleum anisactis 7%, Isatis cappadocica 7%, Muscari caucasica 2%, Poa pratensis 10%, Prangos ferulacea 3%, Potentilla canescens 20%, Rumex elbursensis 10%, Silene bupleuroides 4%, Solenanthus stamineus 3%, Taraxacum syriacum 4%, Thinopyrum intermedium 20%, Verbascum oreophilum 3%, Vicia canescens 30%
Header and raw percentage data of all 330 vegetation plots (*.xlsx)