Halophytic Vegetation in the West Caspian Lowland

Halophytic vegetation is typical for the west of the Caspian lowland. It is confined to solonetzes and solonchaks, occupying a fairly large area in the region. The phytocenotic diversity of halophytic vegetation depends on environmental factors such as the total amount of salts in the soils, as well as on soil moisture. According to literature sources and our research, halophyte communities in the region belong to 21 formations, of which 9 are widely distributed (Artemisieta pauciflorae, Artemisieta santonicae, Camphorosmeta monspeliacae, Leymeta ramosi, Halocnemeta strobilacei, Salsoleta dendroidis, Salicornieta perennantis, Suaedeta salsae, and Petrosimonieta oppositifoliae). Communities of 12 formations are rare (Anabaseta salsae, Halimioneta verruciferae, Kochieta prostratae, Limonieta suffruticosi, Salsoleta laricinae, Frankenieta hirsutae, Petrosimonieta triandrae, Petrosimonieta brachiatae, Climacoptereta crassae, Spirobassieta hirsutae, Salsoleta sodae, and Puccinellieta distantis). Some of these formations are located on the western or northwestern border of their areas. Solonetzes dominate in the steppe zone. Euhalophytes dwarf semishrubs Artemisia pauciflora , Artemisia santonica , and Camphorosma monspeliaca and rhizome cereals Leymus ramosus communities are associated with them. Solonchaks are not as common; they are marked with the following communities: Salicornia perennans , Spirobassia hirsuta , Suaeda salsa , and Petrosimonia oppositifolia . In the desert zone, solonetzes occupy small areas only in the north. Solonchaks dominate, in which communities of hyperhalophyte dwarf semishrubs ( Halocnemum strobilaceum and Salsola dendroides ) and annual halophytes ( Salicornia perennans , Suaeda salsa , and Petrosimonia oppositifolia ) occur. Halophyte communities are characteristic of fallows and pastures on light chestnut saline soils, along irrigation channels, in pipelines, and around artesian wells.