Scientists of Mari State University have discovered a new plant species for the Republic of Mari El
On October 20 there was a meeting of the Scientific and Technical Council of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Republic of Mari El to consider the work "Integrated study of the ecological state of a specially protected natural area", performed by scientists of Mari State University at the expense of the republican budget. The work was carried out by scientists of the Department of Biology with the assistance of the staff of the scientific department of the State Nature Reserve "Bolshaya Kokshaga".
The main purpose of the work was to conduct a comprehensive study of the ecological state of the natural monument of national importance "Karman Kuryk". The total area of the natural monument is 36 hectares, of which forest areas occupy 15 hectares, meadows and wastelands are occupied by 21 hectares. On the small territory of the natural monument the rich species diversity of flora and fauna of the republic typical for meadow and forest communities is concentrated.
On stony slopes a species new to the republic, belonging to the mountain (alpine) complex - willow bent-pointed willow, was found. This plant is not found in the middle belt of the European part of Russia and the nearest places of finds are the Middle and Northern Urals, Northwest Russia.
During the work on the territory of SPNA "Karman Kuryk" 8 moss species new to the republic and one species of Encalypta vulgaris Hedw., included in the Red Book of the Republic of Mari El, were discovered.
The study of lichen flora of the nature monument made it possible to conclude that there is a richness of species diversity of lichens. Of the 144 lichen species found, or 35% of the lichen flora of the Mari El Republic, two lichens are listed in the Red Book of the Mari El Republic: Usnea blossom (Usnea florida) and Physcia caesia (Physcia caesia). In addition, the first species is included in the Red Book of Russia.
In total 277 species of vascular plants have been found growing, 11 of them are included in the Red Data Book of the Mari El Republic (Hymenoptera semilunus, Hymenoptera multiflorum, Robert's broom, Shizakhna callosum, Valdstein's onion, lady's slipper, dark-red dremlik, long-horned smithy, marsh flax, laxative flax, hairy wort).
Rare species of scientific interest include Siberian spruce (relict and local populations along the Vyatsky Uval, west of the continuous range), double-leaved pariset (a relic of broad-leaved forests), nonea russica and valeriana russica (elements of steppe flora), hawksbill bent-toothed and common (endemics of coniferous-broad-leaved (subtaiga) forests and cicerita uralensis (endemic of West Pre-Urals).
As for Insects, 19 species listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic were found within the landscape monument: order Hymenoptera - 1 species; order Mutiformes - 1 species; order Hymenoptera - 2 species; order Histocontrols - 3 species; order Scratchflies - 11 species; order Diptera - 1 species. One species from the Red Book of Russia.
A study of the age status of rare plant species' cenopopulations on the territory of the nature monument: dark-red dremlik, lady's slipper orchid and cocksfoot showed that their populations belong to young and mature states. The presence of all ontogenetic states indicates that cenopopulations are self-supported due to fruiting of generative individuals and successful growth of some of the seeds formed.
The work also analyzed the succession process of forest vegetation after the anomalous heat of 2010 and revealed that the percentage of survival of dark conifers on the territory of the nature monument is 34.3%. In recalculation per 1 hectare of forest area Karman Kuryk, the number of living trees of dark conifers was 116 pcs./ha, and the dead 198 pcs./ha.
The information obtained about new habitats of rare plant species will be included in the new edition of the Red Book of the Republic of Mari El "Volume Plants. Fungi", which is being prepared for publication by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Ecology of the Republic of Mari El.
