Every spring, scientists observe the emergence of early flowers—from snowdrops to tulips—and carry out an approximate count of rare and endemic species of flowering plants that can be found only in this region of the country. Gulnabat Jumamyradova, a research associate at the National Institute of Deserts, Flora and Fauna of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan, shares:
- The expedition to the upper reaches of the Konekesir Gorge, in the Serizav Mountains (old Nokhur), was not only a planned survey of the habitats of early flowers at the final stage of spring and an assessment of the condition of the plants, but also an exciting excursion into a unique natural mini-botanical garden, since the ecosystems of the Syunt and Hasar mountains are a unique corner of nature and one of the world’s centers of origin for fruit plants in the dry subtropics zone.
As in previous years, the flowering of Raddes fritillary was stable, with scientists recording more than twenty large habitats within and in the buffer zone of the Syunt-Hasardag State Nature Reserve. The plant is a record-holder for endurance, not afraid of variable spring weather, and possesses high drought and cold resistance. One individual can bear up to ten bell-shaped pale yellow large flowers, and the entire flowering process lasts just over two weeks.
Two narrowly endemic species, whose ranges are limited to specific mountain ecosystems of the southwestern Kopetdag, are perennial geophytes (they preserve growth buds in unfavorable weather conditions), reproduce both by seeds and vegetatively, and demonstrate the ability to survive under extreme temperatures.
Their ecological niches differ: Raddes fritillary has a wide range of altitudes and habitat types, while Litvinov’s hyacinth is a strict endemic with an extremely limited range. Neither species was included in the 4th edition of the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan, which does not remove the issue of their conservation.
In Konekesir, one can observe the phenomenon of symbiotic relationships between Turkmen juniper and small-fruited cherry, a noteworthy example of a joint adaptive survival strategy in an arid, sharply continental climate.
The juniper, as a xerophytic plant, seeks protection from intense solar radiation and drying winds for its lower tier, which the low-growing cherry provides by creating a microclimate with increased humidity and favorable conditions for photosynthesis and transpiration. On the other hand, the small-fruited cherry uses the juniper’s ability to emit phytoncides, reduce air temperature within the crown, provide shelter and protection from the sun for herbaceous plants, and find shade and windbreak.
The vegetation of the two plants together occurs without harm to either side and contributes to the stability of the ecosystem. A deeper understanding of this floristic puzzle can be used to optimize forest restoration strategies and biodiversity conservation.
