Fen and spring vegetation in western Pamir-Alai Mountains in Tajikistan (Middle Asia)

Research identifies three distinct fen associations and three spring associations in the western Pamir-Alai Mountains, Tajikistan, contributing to the classification of alpine and high-montane wetland ecosystems. These communities—Caricetum pseudofoetidae, Allietum fedtschenkoani, Eleocharido quinqueflorae-Primuletum iljinskii (fens), and Epilobio tianschanici-Bryetum schleicheri, Clementsietum semenovii, Codonopsideto clematidi-Cortusetum turkestanicae (springs)—were analyzed using phytosociological methods over six field campaigns (2008–2013, 2015). The study proposes new alliances for Middle Asian fens and springs, linking them to environmental factors like electrolyte levels, altitude, and soil pH. This work advances the understanding of high-altitude wetland biodiversity in Tajikistan's UNESCO-listed Tajik National Park.

Nowak, A., Nobis, M., Nowak, S., & Plášek, V. (2016). Fen and spring vegetation in western Pamir-Alai Mountains in Tajikistan (Middle Asia). Phytocoenologia, 46(2), 201–220. https://doi.org/10.1127/phyto/2016/0106