ABSTRACT Steppe ecosystems of the South Caucasus are among the most ecologically sensitive and economically significant vegetation types in the region, yet their phytocoenotic diversity remains insufficiently documented. This study investigates the structure, floristic composition, and current ecological status of Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng communities in the arid steppe zone of south-eastern Azerbaijan, encompassing the Gobustan, Salyan, Shirvan, and Saatli districts. Geobotanical surveys were conducted using the Braun-Blanquet relevé method, with species abundance estimated according to the standard cover-abundance scale. A total of 11 families, 25 genera, and 28 vascular plant species were recorded within the study communities. The families Poaceae (7 species, 25%), Fabaceae (4 species, 14%), and Asteraceae (4 species, 14%) are dominant in terms of species richness and ecological significance, while the remaining eight families are each represented by a single species. Seven principal plant associations were identified, ranging from bunchgrass–forb to wormwood–graminoid types, depending on soil salinity and edaphic conditions. The edificator B. ischaemum demonstrates high ecological plasticity, colonising diverse substrates including nonsaline and slightly saline soils, rocky outcrops, and degraded shrublands. Productivity assessments of wormwood–yellow bluestem pastures revealed a seasonal gross dry matter yield of 16.4 c/ha, with an edible fraction of 8.0 c/ha, corresponding to a carrying capacity of approximately 2 sheep per hectare. The observed decline in species diversity in recent years, combined with increasing anthropogenic pressure and aridification, underscores the need for targeted conservation and sustainable rangeland management strategies across the south-eastern steppe belt of Azerbaijan.

ABSTRACT
Steppe ecosystems of the South Caucasus are among the most ecologically sensitive and economically
significant vegetation types in the region, yet their phytocoenotic diversity remains insufficiently
documented. This study investigates the structure, floristic composition, and current ecological
status of Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng communities in the arid steppe zone of south-eastern
Azerbaijan, encompassing the Gobustan, Salyan, Shirvan, and Saatli districts. Geobotanical surveys
were conducted using the Braun-Blanquet relevé method, with species abundance estimated
according to the standard cover-abundance scale. A total of 11 families, 25 genera, and 28 vascular
plant species were recorded within the study communities. The families Poaceae (7 species, 25%),
Fabaceae (4 species, 14%), and Asteraceae (4 species, 14%) are dominant in terms of species
richness and ecological significance, while the remaining eight families are each represented by
a single species. Seven principal plant associations were identified, ranging from bunchgrass–forb
to wormwood–graminoid types, depending on soil salinity and edaphic conditions. The edificator
B. ischaemum demonstrates high ecological plasticity, colonising diverse substrates including nonsaline
and slightly saline soils, rocky outcrops, and degraded shrublands. Productivity assessments
of wormwood–yellow bluestem pastures revealed a seasonal gross dry matter yield of 16.4 c/ha,
with an edible fraction of 8.0 c/ha, corresponding to a carrying capacity of approximately 2 sheep
per hectare. The observed decline in species diversity in recent years, combined with increasing
anthropogenic pressure and aridification, underscores the need for targeted conservation and
sustainable rangeland management strategies across the south-eastern steppe belt of Azerbaijan.