DIVERSITY OF PLANT FORMATIONS OF THE “WATER–LAND” ECOTONES OF THE SOSTINSKY LANDSCAPE AREA (KUMO-MANYCH DEPRESSION, KALMYKIA)

The “water–land” ecotone system is the coast of a reservoir from the water’s edge to the watershed. It is characterized by its landscape, soil properties, the hydrological regime of the land, the peculiarity of vegetation and the dynamics of biocomplexes. In the Sostinsky landscape area, located in the north-east of the Kumo-Manych depression, there is a large number of saline lakes drying up in the summer (Keltrikan, Kirkita, Khar–Erge, Sostinsky) and depressions. The vegetation of ecotones near these lakes is represented by halophytic dwarfsemishrubs (Halocnemeta strobilacei, Halimioneta verruciferae Caroxyleta dendroidis, Frankenieta hirsutae), annuals (Suaedeta acuminatae, Petrosimonieta oppositifoliae, Petrosimonieta brachiatae) and shrubs (Tamariceta laxae) communities.