Monitoring the species composition of the undergrowth in some regions of Armenia and central Russia

¹ Vanadzor State University, 36, Tigran Mets Ave., 2021 Vanadzor, Republic of Armenia
² Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, 49, Timiryazevskaya st., 127434 Moscow, Russia
³ Kologrivsky Forest Nature Reserve, 48, Nekrasova st., 157440 Kologriv, Russia

^* Corresponding author: alebedev@rgau-msha.ru

Abstract

Changes in the species composition of tree species of the undergrowth, the tasks of preserving biodiversity in clearing areas and under the influence of climate change, are of theoretical and practical scientific interest. The main goal of this study was to monitor the species diversity of dominant undergrowth species in the forests of some regions of Armenia and central Russia under conditions of climate change and human activity. In Armenia, research was carried out in Lori and Tavush regions. In Russia, research was carried out in the Kostroma and Moscow regions, located in the center of the Russian Plain. The studies were carried out using route, semi-stationary, stationary methods using generally accepted methods. Field work was carried out during growing seasons from 2019 to 2023. Field surveys were carried out in the most typical forest types for the regions. In the Lori region, 14 families were identified, which include the dominant species of undergrowth, in the Tavush region - 11 families and in the regions of central Russia - 11 families. For all objects of study, the largest number of species contains the Rosaceae family. The main factors influencing understory biodiversity are human activities (logging, recreational impacts, etc.) and climate change. Thus, changes in the climate system of the regions of Armenia and central Russia in the future create new risks for the sustainability of undergrowth biological diversity in forests.