Florophytocenotic Diversity of the Western Caucasus

The Western Caucasus emerges as a significant center of floristic and cenotic diversity within the Caucasian ecoregion, characterized by its high species endemism and ancient ecosystems with Colchidic and Mediterranean roots. This region hosts approximately 3,500 vascular plant species across 178 families and 936 genera, reflecting a Mediterranean-type flora spectrum and notable altitudinal zonation. The study, based on extensive expeditionary and stationary research using classical geobotanical methods, highlights the significance of ceno-complexes, including rare petrophytic flora and unique vegetation types such as flood-littoral landscapes, psammophilic littoral communities, steppe ecosystems, mountain forests, subalpine meadows, and alpine carpets. These findings underscore the region's role as a refugium for ancient biodiversity, offering critical insights into its ecological and evolutionary significance.

Litvinskaya, S. A. (2020). Florophytocenotic Diversity of the Western Caucasus. South of Russia: Ecology, Development, 15(1), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.18470/1992-1098-2020-1-37-48