ISSN 2959-1864 (Online); ISSN 2958-0536 (Print); DOI: 10.30546/abc
Acta Botanica Caucasica
TAXUS BACCATA L. IN THE MIDDLE MOUNTAINS OF THE TEREK CAUCASUS (CHECHNYA)
Abstrack

Abstract.The article describes the current state of the Taxus baccata L. population in the midmountain
landscapes (Wooded Range) of the Chechen Republic (Terek Caucasus) in the area between
the Gekhi and Roshnya rivers. Regional populations of this species according to the standard of the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) belong to the category of rarity “Endangered”.
We previously published a note about an unknown population of this species in the study area,
but the authors provide a detailed description of these forest communities for the first time. The
composition and structure of plant communities with the participation of T. baccata were studied,
and data on the ecological and phytocenotic characteristics of its populations were obtained. The
tract contains 20 species of trees and shrubs and more than 30 species of herbaceous plants. The
first locus is small in number and is located under the dense canopy of Fagus orientalis Lipsky,
Carpinus betulus L. and Tilia caucasica Rupr. The age structure of T. baccata cenopopulations is
characterized as normal, complete, average dynamic with a predominance of immature individuals
that gravitate to the periphery of the locus. The second locus of T. baccata is a more numerous and
larger population in the forest edge. Here, the “edge” forms of T. baccata look prosperous, their vital
condition is high. Despite the apparent well-being, in general, the state of the studied communities
due to increased anthropogenic pressure (including the active development of the tourism cluster)
is assessed as threatened. In order to preserve the population, it is necessary: constant monitoring
of the state of the studied population, protection of the habitat, prohibition of forestry activities on
the site and adjacent plots, and the territory itself is subject to conservation and the organization
of a natural reserve on its basis.

Reference

© Acta Botanica Caucasica, 2026