Alpine Ecosystems in the Northwest Caucasus

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xx

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2. Geography, geology, climate and the communities studied

   • V. G. Onipchenko

   Pages 1-7

3. Soils and nutrient turnover

   • T. I. Malysheva, M. I. Makarov, V. G. Onipchenko, A. V. Volkov, I. V. Bulatnikova

   Pages 9-23

4. Plant geographical description of the area

   • V. N. Pavlov

   Pages 25-54

5. Alpine plant communities: syntaxonomy, floristic composition and richness

   • V. G. Onipchenko

   Pages 55-75

6. Structure and dynamics of closed alpine communities

   • O. V. Cherednichenko, V. G. Onipchenkoo, A. A. Zakharov, V. G. Onipchenko, M. I. Makarov, K. A. Golikov et al.

   Pages 77-179

7. Population biology of alpine plants

   • I. E. Sizov, N. V. Mikhailova, A. V. Mikhailov, V. G. Onipchenko, A. S. Komarov, G. V. Semenova

   Pages 181-222

8. Experimental study of plant relationships

   • E. V. Volkova, V. G. Onipchenko, M. S. Blinnikov, A. A. Aksenova, O. V. Cherednichenko

   Pages 223-262

9. Soil algae and cyanobacteria in the alpine plant communities

   • L. Rasran

   Pages 263-270

10. Fungi, mycorrhiza, and microbiological processes in the alpine ecosystems

    • M. V. Sogonov, L. L. Velikanov, K. L. Tarasov, V. G. Onipchenko, T. N. Leinsoo, A. L. Stepanov

    Pages 271-302

11. Main animal groups and their influence on plant communities

    • M. N. Ivanenko, V. G. Onipchenko, S. V. Fomin, M. A. Gerasimova, A. N. Dobrolyubov, A. P. Mikhailenko

    Pages 303-353

12. Human activity and nature conservation problems

    • I. K. Semenov, D. A. Petelin

    Pages 355-362

13. Back Matter

    Pages 376-380

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Plant geographical description of the area, syntaxonomy, spatial patterns, floristic richness, structure of plant communities in relation to soil properties and herbivore influence were described for a mountain region that is difficult to access. Seasonal, inter-annual, and long-term dynamics of vegetation are discussed on the base of long-term observations as well as pollen and phytolith analyses. Population biology of alpine plants is studied by combination of field observations and mathematical modelling. Plant population strategies and soil seed banks are described for alpine plants from several communities. Results of long-term ecological experiments (plant reciprocal transplantations, dominant removals, light limitation) showed the significance of competition and facilitation for community organization. Structure of soil algal and fungal communities is represented as well as mycorrhiza of alpine plants. Main animal groups (wild) history and modern nature conservation problems are discussed.

• algae
• animals
• biological
• biology
• ecosystem
• fungi
• geology
• mycorrhiza
• nature conservation
• plant
• plants
• population biology
• soil
• taxonomy
• vegetation

From the reviews:

"This volume contains the main results of 20 years of fieldwork in the northwest Caucasus. … it can serve as a solid basis for further research and monitoring in alpine environments … . The book combines a comprehensive overview with the results of in-depth research. … the volume may be recommended for all interested in the Caucasus and in high mountain ecology in general, as it presents a rich diversity of scientific approaches to the study of relevant topics." (Jörg Stadelbauer, Mountain Research and Development, Vol. 25 (3), 2005)

• Department of Geobotany, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

  Vladimir G. Onipchenko

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