ECOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PHARMACOPOEIAL MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE NORTHEASTERN TRANSBAIKALIA OROBIOME
M.V. Bocharnikov, N.B. Leonova, I.M. Miklyaeva
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
Keywords: vascular plants, ecological-coenotic groups of species, altitudinal zonation, ecosystem, mapping, pharmacological properties
Abstract
The article considers ecological and geographical features of officinal plants distribution within the highlands of Northeastern Transbaikalia. The concept of ecosystem diversity was used as a methodological basis of the study. According to it, the orobiome presents a key regional unit for inventory and assessment of mountain biodiversity. Comparative geographic and cartographic methods of analysis of original field data, papers and maps were applied. We have identified 40 species of pharmacopoeial plants for the Northeastern Transbaikalia orobiome. The taxonomic, biomorphological, ecological, geographic, and altitudinal characteristics have been considered, and the analysis of composition of active substances and the use in the treatment of diseases according to the international classification of diseases ICD-10 has been carried out. It has been revealed that the highest number of species are applied when treating diseases of the digestive system, diseases of the circulatory system, and diseases of the respiratory system. Five geographical groups of pharmacopoeial species have been identified, among which species with the Holarctic distributional type prevail. Boreal species predominate among nine ecological-coenotic groups. The coenotic value of pharmacopeial species in vegetation communities of the orobiome is considered. Some species of officinal plants are coenose-formers, predominant in the background communities for the belts; they include Scots pine, Siberian fir, lingonberry, marsh rosemary, downy birch, and bearberry. The regional and altitudinal features of pharmacopeial species distribution have been revealed. The highest number of species grow on the North Baikal highlands, while the smallest number - on the Patom highlands. There occur more than 20 species in the mountain-taiga belt, and about 5-10 species in the high-mountain belt. A map of communities with the participation of typical species of pharmacopeial plants of resource importance has been compiled. It has been revealed that the greatest diversity of these resources is concentrated on the North Baikal highlands due to climatic conditions and geographical location at the junction of biogeographical boundaries. The compiled map can be used to assess the ecosystem potential of the vegetation cover of a poorly explored region. The expediency of further study of the pharmacological properties of local flora species used in traditional medicine, as well as strengthening of measures for the protection of medical plant species, were noted.
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