Vegetation of the Deserts of Turkmenistan

Abstract

The desert vegetation in Turkmenistan consists predominantly of semishrub sagebrush-halophyte and psammophyte communities, with dominant formations of Haloxyleta, Salsoleta, Calligoneta, and Artemiseta. We have separated plant communtites into 26 formations and 28 groups of associations with a relatively simple phytocoenological structure and homogeneous species composition. The community structure is usually determined by a few dominant species of semishrubs which also provide most of the phytomass. Other sinusia, such as herbaceous cover, are built mainly by annual ephemerous species which do not play a significant role in the community structure.

In deserts, which occupy more than 80% of the territory of Turmenistan, vegetation is a valuable feed resource for the livestock industry. Desert areas are used throughout the year for sheep and camel grazing. Desert vegetation provides an important ecological role by stabilizing the sand. Several natural reserves and other protected areas have been established to preserve desert vegetation and landscapes in Turkmenistan.