Abstract

Tugai forests are intrazonal riparian ecosystems formed along river valleys in arid and semi-arid regions and characterized by high biodiversity and complex vegetation structure. The aim of this study was to assess the phytocenological structure, species composition, and ecological characteristics of tugai forests distributed within the Kura River basin and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. The study was conducted using classical geobotanical and phytocenological methods based on the Braun—Blanquet approach. The results revealed clear ecological differentiation among tugai forest formations depending on hydrological regime, groundwater conditions, and soil salinity. High species diversity and a multi-layered vegetation structure were identified within the Populeta—Salicetum—Ulmosum, Ulmeta, Populeta, Saliceta—Alnueta—Populeta, and Tamariceta formation groups, which develop mainly on alluvial soils under conditions of elevated moisture. In the Nakhchivan region, tugai forests adapted to more arid environments are distributed mainly along the Araz River and are dominated by Tamarix ramosissima, Populus euphratica, Populus nigra, and Salix species. Anthropogenic impacts, including grazing, deforestation, and hydrological alterations, were identified as major factors contributing to ecosystem degradation and reduction in vegetation cover. The obtained results confirm the high ecological and conservation significance of tugai forests and emphasize the necessity of their protection, restoration, and sustainable management.

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