Distribution and Coenoflora of Daphne Altaica (Thymelaeaceae) – A Rare Endemic Species From Eastern Kazakhstan

Abstract

is a insufficiently explored rare endemic species from East Kazakhstan, which is of great scientific interest. The main goal of this study is to establish the actual habitats based on historical collections stored in the main herbarium repositories, as well as to study the flora of associated species for D. altaica. As a result of the study, data were obtained on the distribution and coenoflora of the rare endemic species Daphne altaica in East Kazakhstan. For additional clarification of the distribution sites of the species, herbarium materials dated 1840-1973 from the main repositories were studied: the Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction (AA), Altai State University (ALTB), Siberian Botanical Garden (NS) and Lomonosov Moscow State University (MW). The analysis carried out confirmed the narrow local distribution of the rare species throughout the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Possible additional habitats of D. altaica included in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan have been identified. The concentration of habitats falls on the floristic regions 22. Altai and 23. Tarbagatai. The distribution of the species is limited by the Kalba, Southern Altai, Sarymsakty, Narym, Azutau, Ulba, Uba, Tarbagatai, Western Tarbagatai and Saur ridges. When studying the coenoflora of D. altaica, the completeness of the species composition of the communities was established. The coenoflora of D. altaica includes 175 species of higher vascular plants belonging to 127 genera and 42 families. In terms of the spectrum of the 10 leading families, the coenoflora of D. altaica is noticeably similar to the flora of the entire East Kazakhstan. The results obtained are necessary for monitoring and searching for historical habitats of D. altaica, compiling the route of field expedition trips, finding areas in natural habitats, and establishing phytocenotic relationships in D. altaica communities.