Krestov P.V., Nakamura Y.
Berichte der Reinhold-Tüxen-Gesellschaft 2007; 19: 131-145
This study focusses at the problem of indication of climatic gradients by vegetation complexes at local and regional scales and aims to quantify the local and regional scale relations of vegetation units, their complexes and climatic parameters within subarctic, boreal and temperate vegetation zones in Northeast Asia. The problem is approached by analysis of extensive phytosociological (over 5000 releves) and climatic (1802 climatic stations) databases. Identification of bioclimates was made in accordance with S. RIVAS-MARTINEZ et al. (1999) approach using different climatic parameters that include Kira’s warmth and coldness indices, continentality index, ombro-evapotranspirational index and winter precipitation. Because of numerous compensational effects of edaphic or local climatic factors on community development the finding of relationships between community types and a regional climate is possible by comparison of communities on the sites, which are equal in environmental characteristics. A link between regional climate and vegetation units was found with an aid of a concept of zonal site formulated by POJAR et al (1991). Combined analysis of geographic distribution of associations and their bioclimatic ranges provide a powerful tool to indication of phytogeographical zonation in the mountainous regions, where zonal association indicates a particular bioclimatic belt that is characterized by certain amount of heat, moisture and by their distribution throughout seasons of year.
