Ecosystem Transformation (), 108-129

Changes in the frequency and degree of dominance of native and alien species in the synanthropic vegetation of the vicinity of Maykop (Republic of Adygea) over a three-year period (2021–2024)

Akatov V.V., Akatova T.V. 

This paper discusses the potential of a new approach to monitoring dominant species in plant communities. Instead of focusing on single dominant species, the study analyzes complexes of these dominants, i.e., multiple species that share dominance across relatively large areas of vegetation cover (in a series of compactly located sample plots of 0.15–0.2 hectares). The participation of species in communities is assessed by the frequency of their dominance in accounting plots (1 m2), as well as by the frequency of their reaching a certain projective cover. The study is based on material collected in 2021 and 2024 at five sites of synanthropic vegetation in the vicinity of the city of Maykop (Northwestern Caucasus). Within their boundaries, 34 sample plots were established, including 4167 accounting plots in 2021 and 4262 in 2024. The results showed that changes in the frequency of dominance of individual species from 2021 to 2024 across different vegetation areas were predominantly synchronous and therefore not random. The direction of these changes was largely determined by the requirements of species for their growing conditions. A decrease in the overall dominance of synanthropic species was observed across all areas. In some cases, an increase in this characteristic was observed for forest or steppe species. The data obtained may indicate both a decline in specific human activities and the onset of recovery processes, as well as the possible impact of climate change. This research method is applicable and effective for monitoring vegetation cover and indicating biotopic conditions across large areas.

V. V. Akatov
Maykop State Technological University
Pervomayskaya St. 191, Maykop, Republic of Adygea, 385000 Russia

Caucasian State Nature Reserve
Sovetskaya St. 187, Maykop, Republic of Adygea, 385000 Russia


T. V. Akatova
Caucasian State Nature Reserve
Sovetskaya St. 187, Maykop, Republic of Adygea, 385000 Russia

hookeria@mail.ru

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