Current vegetation data from the Prioksko-Terrasnyi Biosphere Reserve

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Botany
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Presents a vegetation sampling dataset from Prioksko-Terrasnyi Biosphere Reserve, Russia.
• Focuses on the mixed coniferous forest zone along the Oka River terraces.
• Part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Purpose of the Study:

• Document current vegetation and species composition.
• Investigate areas with invasive species and bark beetle-induced deadfall.
• Provide data on protected and alien plant species distribution.

Main Methods:

• Collected 269 vegetation relevés (9174 occurrences) in 2019-2020.
• Utilized the standard relevé method with Braun-Blanquet cover-abundance scale.
• Recorded GPS coordinates for all sampling sites.

Main Results:

• Documented renewed vegetation in the reserve.
• Identified two vascular plant species from the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation.
• Recorded 25 species from the Red Data Book of Moscow Region and 19 alien vascular plant species.

Conclusions:

• The dataset enhances understanding of the Reserve's species composition and vegetation structure.
• Highlights the presence of protected and invasive species within the reserve.
• Provides valuable data for conservation and management efforts.