FLORA OF THE GREAT BALKHAN

The Great Balkhan is a mountain range where ancient relict species have found refuge, which have a narrow distribution area. Here you can find moisture-loving plants, huge trees-old-timers. Only endemic plants, that is, growing entirely on the Great Balkhans, there are up to twenty species. These are dorema, astragalus, hare-tooth, and a dozen and a half unique representatives of the flora kingdom. On a relatively small mountain formation, you can find ferns, conifers and wormwood. Representatives of medicinal, food and ornamental plant groups meet here. As a result of numerous expeditions, the places of their growth, distribution, and resource potential have been studied.

The mountains are located in the north-western part of Turkmenistan representing a steep wall on one side and a rocky scree on the other. The mountain strata are so ancient that fossils from the Middle Jurassic period are found there.

Especially rare and valuable species of flora are included in the Red Book of Turkmenistan. Scientists control the areas of their distribution, the state of populations in the wildlife.

On the ridge slopes at an altitude of 800 meters there is a mountain juniper, and it forms a light forest above. An adult tree helps other plants to survive in harsh conditions, giving shade, sheltering their smaller counterparts from the wind, mudflows, hot rays of the sun.

Many plants of Balkhans contain biologically active substances that may be of interest to perfumers and pharmacists. And today, the protection and enhancement of this unique gene pool, the deep scientific study of rare plants, the analysis of the impact of human economic activity on the environment are the primary task of scientists.