Plants in Urban Areas and Landscape Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering DOI 10.15414/2014.9788055212623.105–107 CLASSIFICATION OF URBAN HABITATS OF TOWNS OF THE UDMURT REPUBLIC (RUSSIA) Ekaterina N. ZYANKINA, Olga G. BARANOVA* Udmurt State University, Russia The purpose of this study is to discover the species composition of urban floras through studying and comparing certain partial floras. The object of our research is flora of small towns in Udmurtia. We have developed methodological approaches for analysis of different urban habitats. These approaches are significant for identifying of plants species composition in cities. This study is based on the method of partial floras. The term “partial flora” is understood in the interpretation of Boris A. Yurtsev. This method is widely used in Russia (Yurtsev, 1982). We’ve created the classification of habitats groups based on examination of cartographic material, aerial and satellite photography, primary analysis of the flora habitats. We have distinguished two types, 16 classes and 43 habitats kinds. The Type of natural and semi-natural habitats with little disturbance of vegetation is divided into 7 classes of habitats: meadow, forest, forest-steppe, swamp, water, coastal, naturally bare habitats. The type of anthropogenically – transformed habitats includes 9 classes: communicationly-tape, erosion, slotted, agricultural, water, artificial tree plantation, landfills, landscape gardenings, cemeteries Preliminary lists of kinds of partial flora habitats are made. Both native and alien species of plants are allocated there. Alien flora fraction was divided into groups according to the degree of danger for biodiversity. Typical species were pointed out for all habitats. Keywords: urbanflora, Russian flora, flora of habitats Introduction purpose of this study is to identify the species composition Urban areas have a large number of places suitable of urban floras through studying and comparing for plants growth and having different environmental particular partial floras. conditions. Therefore, they are the hotbed of concentration of alien plants. The activity of these species in certain Material and Metods urban partial floras can be seen when studying floristic Research was conducted in 2012–2013 on the territory structure of different habitats. Partial floras (Yurtsev, 1982) of three towns (Votkinsk, Kambarka, Mojga) Udmurtia are the sets of species occurring in ecologically similar (Russia). Urban population is relatively small. Votkinsk subdivisions of the landscape, i.e., habitat types (Khitun, population is 98 thousand people., Mozhga – 49 thous., 2013). Development of habitat structure classification Kambarka – 10 thousand people. The material was is one of the stages of partial floras studying. There are collected by the method of partial floras and a routing several different classifications of urban habitats, based on method. Urban areas were studied within their different criteria: individual characteristics of settlement, administrative boundaries. allocation of plants depending on the type of urban Basing on a comprehensive analysis (study of area, period and features of building system, intensity of cartographic material, satellite images, primary analysis anthropogenic impact, phytocenotic features of areas, etc. of flora habitats) we developed a classification of plant (Gamulya and Zvyagintseva, 2010; Berezutski and Panin, habitats groups. In the results you can see the list of all the 2007; Maher and Hamilton, 2012; Pysek, 1995; Mosyakin, habitats recorded within the town, including the overall 1996). Taking into account peculiarities of flora formation extent of each. Running wild cultivated plant species are in small towns, similar and different types of habitats, not taken into account while compiling floristic lists. we have tried to classify urban habitats depending on phytocenotic characteristics of flora and on the degree Results and discussion of anthropogenic influence on it. In 2012 we started The estimation of each species by its origin is required studying flora of three towns (Votkinsk, Kambarka and to analyze the results of the study of urban floras. In Mojga) in Russia (Udmurtia). By the phyto-geographical this basis we have divided entire set of plant species of regionalization of the European part of Russia the studied urban areas into aboriginal and alien parts. Furthermore, area is the part of West Siberian-Ural taiga province of the group of alien species was divided by the degree Eurasian taiga region (Isachenko and Lavrenko, 1980). The of impact on natural biodiversity. Two groups were *Correspodence: Olga G. Baranova, Udmurtia State University, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, Department of botany and plant ecology, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] Ekaterina N. Zyankina, Olga G. Baranova: Classification of urban habitats of towns of the Udmurt Republic (Russia), pp. 105–107 – 105 – Plants in Urban Areas and Landscape Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering DOI 10.15414/2014.9788055212623.105–107 distinguished: passive alien species that do not pose and establishment of most dangerous invasive a serious threat and active alien species which include plant species from the group of transformers: Acer species transformers and invasive plant species. We have negundo L., Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden., Impatiens allocated two types of habitats (The Type of natural and glandulifera Royle and others. These species often semi-natural habitats with little disturbance of vegetation form homogenous communities along the rivers. and The type of anthropogenically-transformed habitats) 6. Naturally bare habitats class. It includes 1 kind of and divided them into 16 classes and 43 kinds. Thus, habitats – naturally bare. This kind of habitats is we have allocated 43 combined partial floras. For each presented by territories exposed by constant erosion partial flora we have pointed alien species list. (steep slopes, ravines etc.). Partial flora is poor. Equisetum arvense L., Herniaria glabra L., Scleranthus Type of natural and semi-natural habitats annuus L. are among aboriginal species found here. with little disturbance of vegetation Alien fraction is presented by Conyza canadensis This type includes remains of natural phytocenosis, and (L.) Cronqist, Oenothera rubricaulis Kleb., Puccinellia areas with a low level of human impact. Species that distans (Jacq.) Parl. grow here, form stable plant communities, represented 7. Aquatic habitats Class. 2 kinds were distinguished (flow, mainly by native species. This type of habitats includes and poorly flowing water). Partial flora is represented 7 classes of habitats: mainly by native species. A group of invasive species is 1. Meadow habitats class. 4 kinds of habitats were presented by Elodea canadensis Michx. distinguished (riparian, upland, steppe, pasture). The type of anthropogenically-transformed habitats Partial flora of meadow habitats is mostly represented with intensively transformed vegetation by native species. The group of passive alien species in floodplains is weak and represented by such species Species growing here, do not form stable communities. as Carduus nutans L., Chamomilla suaveolens (Pursh) Human activity is a determining factor in development Rydb., Collomia linearis Nutt., et al. The group of active of the flora of these habitats. 9 classes of habitats are alien species is represented by species-transformers: counted in this type. Acer negundo L., Aster salignus Willd., Heracleum 1. Communication-tape habitats Class. This class includes sosnowskyi Manden, Hordeum jubatum L. etc. ecotopes located along different ways of traffic. We 2. Forest habitats class. It consists of three kinds of have distinguished 4 kinds of habitats (rail, road, habitats (coniferous and deciduous forests, parks with heating mains, trails). Partial flora is represented by natural vegetation). The basic role in the composition a huge variety of alien species. The group of passive alien of the flora of this class is played by a forest of aboriginal species is characterized by the presence of Echinochloa plant species. This class of habitats is characterized by crus-galli (L.) Beauv., Lactuca tatarica (L.) C.A. Mey., Echium invasive species such as: Acer negundo L., Amelanchier vulgare L. The group of active alien species is presented spicata (Lam.) C. Koch, Malus baccata (L.) Borkh. by Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. et Gray., Hordeum 3. Forest-steppe habitats Class. It includes two kinds of jubatum L., Puccinelia distans (L.) Parl. Heating mains are habitats (forest and marginal forest). territories with special temperature regime. Partial flora of these areas is characterized by presence 2. Erosional habitats class. It includes 4 kinds of habitats of such species as Eremogone saxatilis L., Еryngium (yard, constructional, industrial vacant lots and planum L., Pulsatilla uralensis (Zämelis) Tzvelev. Alien stadiums). These areas are characterized by constant flora fraction can be presented here by Collomia anthropogenic impacts, leading to disruption of linearis Nutt., Conyza сanadensis (L.) Cronqist. the soil cover. Partial flora of these habitats is poor. 4. Marsh habitats Class.2 kinds were distinguished (fens Aboriginal fraction is represented mostly by ruderal and sphagnum bogs). Partial flora of these areas is species. There can be met such passive alien species represented by a large number of aboriginal