Intrazonal Woodlands of the Khoper River Basin as Refugiums of Rare Plant and Animal Species

The paper considers the role of intrazonal forest communities of the Khoper River Basin as habitats for plant and animal species listed in the Red Books of Russia and the Volgograd Region. The Don Basin as a whole is characterized by extensive sandy massifs confined to the lower floodplain terraces. Such arenas have been objects of forest reclamation since the end of the 19th century. A protected area of the regional rank territory of special value for the preservation of objects of the animal and plant world listed in the Red Book of the Volgograd region, the “Kosarka tract,” was chosen as a model object. The territory of the protected area includes the floodplain and the overflowing terrace of the Kosarka River, 93.4% occupied by forest communities, mainly by common pine crops. The forests are in good condition, with no signs of desiccation or damage from forest fires. Only the flood meadows of the Kosarka floodplain are not covered with forests. 11 species of rare animals and 14 species of plants can be found on the territory of the protected area. During the survey, meetings were recorded, and the number and population density of the following species of animals listed in the Red Books at different levels were determined: Calosoma sycophanta, Lucanus cervus, Hieraaetus pennatus, and Dendrocopos medius. Among the rare plant species, Pulsatilla pratensis, Iris humilis, and Fritillaria ruthenica are noted.