Modern plant fodder resources of the steppes and meadows of the ancient Chir landscape of the “Tsimlyansky” nature reserve

Abstract

In 2022, studies of the species diversity of plant communities, their aboveground mass and the resource-feeding potential of various types of steppes and meadows in the “Tsimlyansky” nature reserve were conducted. The method of vegetation cover mowing (n = 29) in seven types of steppes and meadows determined the aboveground mass of 101 species of herbaceous plants within the ancient Chir landscape of the Don-Tsimlyansk sand massif. The species richness of plant communities varies between (5.7±1.7) – (14.0±1.2) species/0.25 m2 and averages 10.1±1.0 species/0.25 m2. The average share of cereal species in the communities is 23%, and grasses are almost 3 times more – 64%. The total aboveground biomass in 7 types of steppes and meadows varies between (197.4±25.6) – (379.1±92.5) g/m2. The accumulated mort (necro) mass is (152.2±12.5) – (411.9±43.9) g/m2.