Mountain tundra of the south-eastern part of Czersky Mountain Range (classes Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea and Carici rupestris–Kobresietea)

Сlassification of mountain tundra of the south-eastern part of Czersky Range (Magadan region) has been carried out according to Braun-Blanquet approach. All communities represent 5 associations, 2 subassociations and 2 variants. New associations Cetrario nivalis–Rhododendretum redowskiani, Cetrario nivalis–Salicetum darpirensis, Cladonio stellaris–Vaccinietum uliginosi and Rhododendro parvifolii–Hedysaretum hedysaroidis, are included into the alliance Loiseleurio-Diapension (Br.-Bl., Siss. et Vlieg. 1939) Daniëls 1982, order Rhododendro-Vaccinietalia Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et Jenny 1931 and class Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea Eggler ex Schubert 1960. Association Oxytropido ochotensis–Kobresietum myosuroidis ass.nov. is placed into the alliance Oxytropidion nigrescentis Ohba 1974, order Kobresio-Dryadetalia (Br.-Bl. 1948) Ohba 1974 and class Carici rupestris–Kobresietea Ohba 1974. Syntaxonomical position of Kobresia subalpine meadows is discussed. The des­cribed association presents the mountain tundra communities formed by dwarf-shrubs Rhododendron parvifolium, R. redowskianum (prostrate), Salixdarpirensis, Vaccinium uliginosum and mesophytic herb Hedysarum hedysaroides.Numerous lichens form the ground ­cover of these communities. The area of associations covers the alpine belt of Czersky and Kolymsky ranges at 1200–1400 m above s. l. Rare and endemic species, such as Poa kolymensis, P. tzvelevii, Oxytropis evenorum, O. ochotensis, Salix darpirensis, Sieversia pusilla, can be found there. The alpine belt area needs conservation and further floristic and ecological study.