Analysis of the medicinal flora of the Kurshab River basin in Eastern Alay to preserve biodiversity

Abstract

The object of the study is the Kurshab River basin of Eastern Alay, which is characterized by unexplored medicinal potential. The article analyzes the species composition of the medicinal flora of the Eastern Alay and their distribution according to life forms, ecological groups, as well as the peculiarities of vertical distribution. It is indicated that the medicinal plants of the Kurshab River basin number about 140 species belonging to 118 genera and 53 families, of which 63 are used in scientific and folk medicine. In terms of taxonomic groups, the leading place belongs to angiosperms - 132 species (96.3%), among medicinal gymnosperms - 5 species (3.6%), horsetails and pteridophytes - one species each (0.71%); In terms of life forms, the first place is occupied by perennial plants - 86 species (61.9%), then shrubs and annuals - 15 species each (10.8%), trees -13 (9.1%), and then biennials - 8 (5.7%) and subshrubs – 2 species (1.5%). Medicinal plants are found in all identified plant zones of the Kurshab river basin. More than half of them are found in the forest-shrub zone (53.5-56.1%), and there are fewer of them in the other zones. The article notes that of the 204 species studied, 104 species are alkaloid-bearing. In terms of the number of alkaloid-bearing plants, the leading place belongs to the families Ranunculaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Boraginaceae, Lamiaceae, Scrophulariaceae. It has been noted that the flora of the Kurshab River basin is one of the promising areas of the Eastern Alay; if used skillfully and rationally, it can serve as an additional source for the pharmaceutical industry.