Spatial distribution of small-leaved forests in Kuznetskaya depression

<p>The article is devoted to the spatial distribution of small-leaved forests in Kuznetskaya depression where they are forest component of zonal forest-steppe vegetation. Two levels of spatial organization were determined. According to mesorelief communities of different associations are organized into topo-ecological series. These series differ by length and set of communities. On higher level spatial distribution is controlled by climate and reflects zonal structure. Central part of the depression is occupied by <strong><em>Artemisio–Betuletum </em></strong>communities in combination with communities of <strong><em>Calamagrostio–Betuletum </em></strong>which occur in more humid habitats. Near the eastern edge of the depres­sion forest vegetation is represented by combination of <strong><em>Trollio–Populetum </em></strong>and <strong><em>Campanulo–Betuletum </em></strong>communities where the first one is more typical for the plain conditions and second one – for the mountainous environment. In south­ern part of the depression communities of <strong><em>Campanulo–Betuletum </em></strong>are widespread in combination with <strong><em>Saussureo–Populetum </em></strong>communities which localized on higher well-moisturized slopes. In north-western part syntaxonomical diversity drops down to one association <strong><em>– Primulo–Betuletum, </em></strong>and communities of <strong><em>Carici–Betuletum </em></strong>association occur across the whole depression in lowest relief positions. Climatically it is possible to distinguish two belts – forest-steppe and subtaiga. Forest-steppe is represented by two types – typical plain forest-steppe in north-western part and submountainous forest-steppe in the central part of depression. Subtaiga belt in the depression is developed on eastern edge, but in western part it exists only on mountain slopes.