Abstract. The forests of the Caucasus are one of the most important regions of the taxonomic diversity of ferns. Here are 70 species and 29 genera, or 64% of genera and 44% of species of ferns of Eastern Europe as given by Cherepanov, with exception of hybrid and adventive ferns [Cherepanov, 1995]. Critical revision of the forest ferns of the Caucasus made possible to identify two new genera in the flora of the region (Cyrtomium, Onoclea). In general, as a result of taxonomic revision of the number of fern families of the Caucasus increased from 4 to 20, and the number of genera - from 23 to 31. New for the flora of Eastern European were 20 species and hybrids of the species range, 5 subspecies: Pteris vittata, Adiantum cuneatum, Cyrtomium falcatum, Dryopteris remota, D.caucasica, D.atrata, D.ambroseae and others. For the first time in the Caucasus were found Botrychium virginianum, Onocle sensibilis, Cystopteris dickieana and Dryopteris expansa. The most favorable for the development and dispersal of ferns in the Caucasus were forest areas with moderately warm and humid climate. At the same time, along with the humidity, the most important factors that influence the spread of ferns were the degree of rocky and stony habitats and the nature of slope exposures.

FOREST FERNS OF THE CAUCASUS, ITS, SYSTEMATIC AND ECO-GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

JOURNAL ARTICLE published 2022 in Acta Botanica Caucasica

https://doi.org/10.30546/abc.2022.1.1.42