<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The study presents results of pilot investigations (2005-2007) of micro-vegetation biodiversity in marginally explored mountain and forest-steppe areas of southern Altai, East Kazakhstan. On the basis of morphological phenotypes and ecological demands a total of 351 taxa of cyanobacteria and algae were identified in the principal biotopes (rivers and streams, backwaters, irrigation channels, lakes, high-tundra periglacial and barren land settings, snow fields, and pedogenic /soil cover/environments) of the territorial topographic gradient of ca. 400-3900 m a.s.l. Microbiological records display a remarkable taxonomic variability, including several previously undescribed endemic species of algae adapted to locally specific geoenvironmental conditions. The present results show a major potential for future systematic phycological studies integrated in the complex nature monitoring and management strategy in protected areas of the Altai. The results also demonstrate a limited impact of modern human activity on the quality of local water sources with only minor present ecological risks in balance with the traditional lifestyles of pastoralist communities.</p></abstract>

The study presents results of pilot investigations (2005-2007) of micro-vegetation biodiversity in marginally explored mountain and forest-steppe areas of southern Altai, East Kazakhstan. On the basis of morphological phenotypes and ecological demands a total of 351 taxa of cyanobacteria and algae were identified in the principal biotopes (rivers and streams, backwaters, irrigation channels, lakes, high-tundra periglacial and barren land settings, snow fields, and pedogenic /soil cover/environments) of the territorial topographic gradient of ca. 400-3900 m a.s.l. Microbiological records display a remarkable taxonomic variability, including several previously undescribed endemic species of algae adapted to locally specific geoenvironmental conditions. The present results show a major potential for future systematic phycological studies integrated in the complex nature monitoring and management strategy in protected areas of the Altai. The results also demonstrate a limited impact of modern human activity on the quality of local water sources with only minor present ecological risks in balance with the traditional lifestyles of pastoralist communities.

Taxonomic investigations of cyanobacterial and algal flora from the Southern Altai, East Kazakhstan

Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dukelská 135, 379 82 Třeboň, Czech Republic

Laboratory for Palaeoecology, Institute of System Studies, T. Bata University, Zlín, 686 01 Uh. Hradiště, Czech Republic

Biodiversity Research and Conservation

The study presents results of pilot investigations (2005-2007) of micro-vegetation biodiversity in marginally explored mountain and forest-steppe areas of...

Taxonomic investigations of cyanobacterial and algal flora from the Southern Altai, East Kazakhstan

Publicado en línea: 25 oct 2010

Páginas: 13 - 22

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10119-009-0021-3

Palabras clave
cyanobacteria, algae, taxonomy, microflora, biodiversity, southern Altai, East Kazakhstan

This content is open access.

Taxonomic investigations of cyanobacterial and algal flora from the Southern Altai, East Kazakhstan

Publicado en línea: 25 oct 2010

Páginas: 13 - 22

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10119-009-0021-3

Palabras clavecyanobacteria, algae, taxonomy, microflora, biodiversity, southern Altai, East Kazakhstan

This content is open access.

Palabras clave
cyanobacteria, algae, taxonomy, microflora, biodiversity, southern Altai, East Kazakhstan