FLORA OF MUD VOLCANO IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE GREATER CAUCASUS (AZERBAIJAN)

Shabnam Isayeva; Shakir Gasimov

FLORA OF MUD VOLCANO IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE GREATER CAUCASUS (AZERBAIJAN)

2024

Shabnam Isayeva | Shakir Gasimov

Abstract. Mud volcanoes are widespread across many countries worldwide, yet the vegetation associated with these formations in Azerbaijan remains insufficiently studied. The dynamic processes occurring on mud volcanoes significantly influence their vegetation, highlighting the need for detailed floristic and geobotanical research. The study of mud volcanism in relation to vegetation is currently highly specialized and fragmented.For the first time in Azerbaijan, the species composition of the Gyzmeidan mud volcano, situatedin the eastern part of the Greater Caucasus botanical and geographical area, has been thoroughly analyzed. Research conducted between 2018 and 2023 identified 90 species from 81 genera and 33 families. The most represented families were Asteraceae (Giseke) with 14 species (16%) and Poaceae (Barnhart) with 8 species (9%). Three rare species were documented: Ophrys oestrifera M. Bieb., Pyrus salicifolia Pall., and Rosa pulverulenta M. Bieb.The study revealed that the vegetation cover becomes more abundant and diverse with increasing distance from the eruptive center of the volcano. Life form analysis indicated that 44 species are perennial herbaceous plants, while 31 are annuals. Ombrophytes, characterized by shallow root systems that utilize precipitation, dominate with 64 species, while phreatophytes and trichohydrophytes account for 10 and 16 species, respectively. These findings provide essential insights into the ecological dynamics of mud volcano flora.

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