Composition of phytocoenoses with Yew berry in the upper reaches of river «White river» (RNO – Alania)

Original data on the structure of mountain phytocenoses containing yew berry are presented. Yew grow on slopes of different exposures, with different slope steepnesses under the canopy of tree stands, which are dominated by eastern beech. The object of the study is phytocenoses in the forest fund of the Sunzhensky district forestry of the Prigorodny forestry of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania. The experimental sites are located in the upper reaches of a river called Belaya Rechka. Altitude above sea level – from 950 to 1028 m. The composition and structure of phytocenoses was taken into account on test plots with a continuous count of trees. The number, composition and height structure of the vegetation of the lower tiers were taken into account on circular counting areas of 10 m². It has been shown that the number of Taxus baccata L. trees in the experimental plots varies widely – from 24 to 261 spc./ha. It is noted that on the northern microslopes, the number of yews is several times greater than on the southern slopes. The average height of yew at the study sites is 4.5–6.6 m, the average trunk diameter is from 6.4 to 13.6 cm. The young generation of yew is represented by plants of different heights in quantities from 98 to 306 spc./ha. In addition to yew, the undergrowth also includes beech, elm, linden, Norway maple and black alder. Four species were identified in the undergrowth: azalea, spindle tree, black elderberry and Caucasian blueberry. The total number of undergrowth species is 96–388 ind./ha. The species composition of the grass stand has been established, represented by 10–13 species. The results obtained can serve as a definite contribution to the study of the nature of the distribution and growth conditions of yew berry – a relict species of the Caucasus.

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