Taxonomic structure as an indicator of anthropogenic transformation of flora: The Case Of the southern part of the Melekess-Stavropol region (Samara Trans-Volga region)

The results of anthropogenic impact can be traced on different components of the ecosystem. The vegetation cover is the basic component. Higher vascular plants make up an essential part of it. The flora of Samara Oblast can be characterized as the flora of legumes, since the Fabaceae family ranks third in the spectrum of families. However, not all territories in its composition have similar characteristics. Earlier, we analyzed the features of the flora of the Low Trans-Volga province using the example of the Melekess-Stavropol region. Its territory has a low-lying flat relief and significant economic development. As a result of human economic activity, most of the territory has been plowed and deforested. The flora of the southern part of the area is distinguished by the abundance of representatives of the Brassicaceae and Rosaceae families. The family Fabaceae is represented here by a relatively small number of species. Within the framework of this study, we consider local floras of various sizes corresponding to the middle part of the Melekess-Stavropol physical-geographical region (Suskan group) and the southern part (Togliatti group). Each of these groups, considered when taking into account the forest massifs in its composition, which, among other things, have a small area, exhibits the Rosaceae type of flora. At the same time, the indigenous fraction of the Suskan floristic group, excluding forest flora, shows the Cyperaceae type. The Rosaceae -type of flora can be considered as corresponding to the natural conditions of the studied area. The abundance of the Brassicaceae family can be explained by a significant anthropogenic transformation of the territory, which manifests itself, in particular, as an adventitization of the flora.