The study aimed to investigate the phytocenological characteristics of alpine meadows in the Lesser Caucasus of Azerbaijan. The association Poeta pratensis–Thymetum collinus–Alchemillosum erythropoda was identified in the alpine meadow zone of Mount Kechal (Gadabay District) at an altitude of 2967 m on mountain meadow soils. The phytocenosis comprised 26 vascular plant species, including 7.7% shrubs, 3.8% semi-shrubs, 73.1% perennial herbs, and 15.4% biennial herbs. Ecological analysis revealed the predominance of xerophytes (46.2%), followed by mesophytes (42.3%) and mesoxerophytes (11.5%). Alchemilla erythropoda was the dominant species, while Thymus collinus and Poa pratensis were subdominants. The vegetation exhibited a three-layered structure with an average height of 10–35 cm and a total cover of 70–90%. Several poisonous and unpalatable species reducing pasture quality were also recorded. The results contribute to the assessment of biodiversity, ecological structure, and pasture value of alpine meadow ecosystems in Azerbaijan.
ГУРБАНОВ et al. (Fri,) studied this question.