Current State of the Flora of Vozrozhdeniya Island (Uzbekistan)

Abstract

The floristic composition of vascular plants of Vozrozhdeniya Island (the Aral Sea enclave) within the borders of its Kara-Kalpak part (Uzbekistan) has been preliminarily determined. In total, 123 species belonging to 90 genera and 31 families have been observed. Of the families with the maximum abundance of species, the most representative are Chenopodiaceae Vent., Asteraceae Dumort., Fabaceae Lindl., and Poaceae Barnhart. The similarity of this island with the Ustyurt Plateau are demonstrated by the examples of Anabaseta salsae and Artemisieta terrae-albae communities; the distinguishing features of this area are illustrated by the examples of nondominating Salsola arbusculiformis and the lack of plant complexes composed of Anabaseta salsae, Artemisieta terrae-albae, and Salsoleta arbusculae communities. Conversely, large island areas occupied by the Salsoleta orientalae and Haloxyleta aphylli communities are similar to some ecotopes of the Kyzyl-Kum Desert. The prevalence of the Artemisieta terrae-albae formation in some parts of the island is caused by the low anthropogenic influence due to long-term isolation of the island from the mainland.