Steppe communities in the vicinity of Togliatti (Samara Region)

The paper describes the study of steppe vegetation in the Samara Region. It contains results of the steppe communities field study conducted in 20142015 in the vicinity of Togliatti (Samara Region). Geobotanical relevs were made on standard sites for steppe vegetation. Projective covering of plant species in field conditions was estimated as a percentage and then converted to scores using B.M. Mirkins scale. The relevs are placed in the geobotanical database Vegetation of the Volga and Ural Basins and processed using the computer program JUICE. Bioindication studies were conducted using the IBIS program. As a result of the syntaxonomic analysis carried out using the floral approach to the classification of vegetation by J. Braun-Blanquet, 2 new associations and 6 new subassociations were identified. Their names are given in accordance with the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. Their position in the system of higher syntaxons of Europe is established, nomenclature types, diagnostic types are given, composition and structure, ecology and distribution of communities are characterized as well as the results of processing according to the scales by L.G. Ramensky. The communities of all established syntaxons are recommended for inclusion in the 2nd edition of the Green Book of the Samara Region.