Species Richness of Plant Communities in Continental Asia along the Aridity Gradient

The relationship between the species richness of plant communities and aridity is analyzed using a formalized analysis of 12 300 georeferenced geobotanical descriptions. A correlation has been identified between these indicators. At Thornthwaite index = 45–50, the species richness of phytocenoses reaches the highest level; it is manifested in the southern part of the forest zone and in the lower part of the mountain forest belt, where rich communities with complex vertical structures are formed.