Distribution and ecological-cenotic confinement of wild food species of the genus Sorbus L. (Rosaceae) on Sakhalin island

Abstract

The investigations were carried out to clarify the distribution and habitats of two species of wild food plants of the genus Sorbus L. (Sorbus sambucifolia (Cham. et Schlecht.) M. Roem., Sorbus sibirica Hedl.) on Sakhalin Island. Sorbus sambucifolia is a summer green shrub 1.0-2.5 m high. Sorbus sibirica is a summer green tree up to 10 m high. Shrub mountain ash is found throughout Sakhalin Island, this plant is the dominant and subdominant in the shrub layer of forest phytocenoses (spruce-fir, fir-spruce, larch, stone-birch, white birch, Siberian pine), as well as in subalpine thickets, in secondary phytocenoses in felling and burnt areas; it has a relatively wide phytocenotic spectrum. Sorbus sibirica is limited in distribution by forest phytocenoses (spruce-fir, larch and stone-birch communities) in the north of Sakhalin Island. Mapping of the mountain ash growing area on Sakhalin Island was carried out using the ArcGIS Desktop 10 software package in the ArcMap base application. The data obtained in the course of the study on the habitats of food mountain ash are an effective tool for planning and implementing measures for the rational use of island wild growing food species. The results of the study can serve as material for updating resource data.