American Journal of Applied Science and Technology
60
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ajast
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue 03 2025
PAGE NO.
60-66
10.37547/ajast/Volume05Issue03-12
Analysis of the distribution of species belonging to the
genus Aegilops l. In botanical-geographical regions and
ecological zones of Uzbekistan
Dilnoza Azimova
Jizzakh State Pedagogical University, Uzbekistan
Esanqulova Dilbar
Jizzakh State Pedagogical University, Uzbekistan
Sharipova Mohistara
Jizzakh State Pedagogical University, Uzbekistan
Sindorov Abdumo‘min
Jizzakh State Pedagogical University, Uzbekistan
Abdulla Raxmataliyev
Institute of Botany, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular Phylogeny and Biogeography, Senior Researcher, PhD,
Uzbekistan
Ziyoviddin Yusupov
Institute of Botany, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences, Laboratory of Molecular Phylogeny and Biogeography, Senior Researcher, PhD,
Uzbekistan
Received:
21 January 2025;
Accepted:
25 February 2025;
Published:
23 March 2025
Abstract:
This article presents analyzes of the results of research on the distribution of Aegilops crassa Boiss. ex
Hohen., Aegilops cylindrica Host, Aegilops juvenalis (Thell.) Eig, Aegilops kotschyi Boiss., Aegilops tauschii Coss.,
Aegilops triuncialis L. species, which are representatives of the Aegilops L. genus distributed in Uzbekistan, by
botanical-geographic regions and ecoregions.
Keywords:
Ecoregion, Aegilops L. endemic, altitude range, botanical-geographic region.
Introduction:
The wheatgrass or grass family (Poaceae) plays a
leading role in the flora of Uzbekistan. Species
belonging to many genera of this family are of great
importance in agriculture and livestock farming.
Aegilops L.
–
commonly known as Qasmaldoq or
Yettiboʻgʻim –
is one of the genera in the Poaceae
family. This genus includes 23 species of annual
herbaceous plants [1]. Aegilops L. species are mainly
distributed in Europe, Asia, and Africa. In Uzbekistan, a
total of 6 species have been identified: Aegilops crassa
Boiss. ex Hohen., Aegilops cylindrica Host, Aegilops
juvenalis (Thell.) Eig, Aegilops kotschyi Boiss., Aegilops
tauschii Coss., and Aegilops triuncialis L. [1]. Among
these, two herbarium specimens of Aegilops kotschyi
Boiss., collected in 1991 from the territory of
Uzbekistan, are preserved in the National Herbarium of
Uzbekistan (TASH) [4]. However, no herbarium samples
of this species have been collected from the territory of
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American Journal of Applied Science and Technology (ISSN: 2771-2745)
the Republic in recent years.
Aegilops crassa Boiss. ex Hohen.
–
broad Qasmaldoq,
Aegilops cylindrica Host
–
cylindrical Qasmaldoq,
Aegilops triuncialis L.
–
awned Qasmaldoq, and
Aegilops juvenalis (Thell.) Eig
–
juvenile Qasmaldoq
have been recorded growing in agricultural fields,
plains, foothills, pastures, and mountainous areas of
the Republic at elevations ranging from 500 to 1550
meters above sea level [3].
Today, due to the rapid development of science and
technology and the negative impact of anthropogenic
factors on nature, serious ecological changes are
occurring on our planet. In our Republic as well, the
varying degrees of salinity in irrigated lands make it
important to study the ecology of nutritious forage
plants [2].
Ecological zones are among the key factors influencing
the distribution of species. Therefore, the aim of our
research is to analyze the growth and distribution of
populations of species belonging to the genus Aegilops
L., which includes forage plants, across the ecological
zones
and
botanical-geographical
regions
of
Uzbekistan.
METHODS
Georeferenced data were collected from 811
herbarium specimens of Aegilops L. preserved at the
National Herbarium of Uzbekistan (TASH). In addition,
data were obtained from online databases including
MW (Moscow University Herbarium), Plantarium,
Plants of the World Online, iNaturalist, and the Global
Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
To determine the distribution of species across Central
Asia, ArcGIS 10.8 software was used to extract
terrestrial ecological and botanical-geographical zones
of Uzbekistan from the global terrestrial ecoregions
map. Statistical analysis of these data was carried out
using Microsoft Excel. This made it possible to analyze
the distribution of species in the unique geographical
conditions of Central Asia.
Furthermore, to gain a broader understanding of the
distribution range of the species, the concept of
"ecoregions" of Central Asia was employed. These
ecoregions,
which
consider
specific
botanical
characteristics and geographical factors, provide a
classification system that enables a more detailed
analysis of the distribution patterns of the species
across Central Asian countries, particularly in
Uzbekistan.
This methodology allowed for the integration of both
primary field research data and publicly available
biodiversity information, ensuring a reliable analysis of
the distribution of Aegilops L. species within the
studied region.
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Figure 1.
Ecoregions of Uzbekistan; a star symbol indicates the presence of at least one species within
the respective ecoregion. This map provides information about the occurrence of Aegilops L. species in
these ecoregions.
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RESULTS
Ecoregion-Based Analysis
During the study, based on georeferenced data from
157 specimens belonging to 5 species of the Aegilops L.
genus distributed in the territory of Uzbekistan, a
distribution map of Aegilops L. species was developed
using the ecoregions of Uzbekistan, selected from 37
Central Asian ecoregions (Figure 1).
Our research shows that all 5 Aegilops L. species were
found in the Gissaro-Alai open woodlands (GAOW)
ecoregion. In the Badghyz and Karabil semi-desert
(BKSD), 4 species were recorded; in the Alai-Western
Tian Shan steppe (AWTSS), 3 species; in the Pamir
alpine desert and tundra (PADT), 2 species; and in the
Central Asian southern desert (CASD), 1 species was
identified.
However, no sufficient data were available from other
ecoregions such as the Tian Shan montane steppe and
meadows (TSMSM), the Central Asian northern desert
(CAND), and the Central Asian riparian woodlands
(CARW).
By studying the species distribution on the ecoregion-
based map, it was determined that Aegilops L. species
grow at various altitudinal ranges within four different
ecoregions of Uzbekistan. Among them, Aegilops
triuncialis L.
–
the awned Qasmaldoq
–
was found to be
the most widespread species (Figure 2).
Figure 2.
Distribution of Aegilops L. species across each ecoregion.
14
6
0
0
1
7
0
0
9
1
0
0
0
18
1
0
0
8
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
15
8
0
0
0
34
1
0
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
AWTSS
BKSD
CAND
CARW
CASD
GAOW
PADT
TSMSM
Aegilops triuncialis
Aegilops tauschii
Aegilops juvenalis
Aegilops cylindrica
Aegilops crassa
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American Journal of Applied Science and Technology (ISSN: 2771-2745)
Analysis by Botanical-Geographical Regions
The territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan was divided
into botanical-geographical regions by Tadjibaev K.Sh.
and others (2016) [7]. Uzbekistan's botanical-
geographical regions are categorized into two
provinces: the Mountainous Central Asia Province and
the Turan Province. Each province is further subdivided
into 8 districts (Figure 3).
Figure 3.
Botanical-geographical regions of Uzbekistan.
I. Mountainous Central Asia Province:
•
I-1. Western Tien Shan District (Regions: I-1-a
Ugam-Piskem, I-1-b Western Chatkal (Chimyon), I-1-c
Arashan, I-1-d Kurama (Ohangaron), I-1-e Chorkesar, I-
1-f Foothills of Tashkent)
•
I-2. Fergana District (Region: I-2-a Southern
Chatkal)
•
I-3. Fergana-Alai District (Regions: I-3-a
Western Alai, I-3-b Eastern Alai)
•
I-4. Nurata District (Regions: I-4-a Nurata, I-4-b
Oqtogʻ,
I-4-c Residual Nurata Mountains)
•
I-5. Kohiston District (Regions: I-5-a Northern
Turkistan, I-5-b Molguzar, I-5-c Urgut, I-5-d Ziyovuddin-
Zirabuloq)
•
I-6. Western Hissar District (Regions: I-6-a
Kashkadarya, I-6-b Tarqapchigay, I-6-c Boysun, I-6-d
Kohiston, I-6-e Surkhan-Sherobod)
•
I-7. Hissar-Darvaz District (Region: I-7-a
Sangardak-Topalang)
•
I-8. Panj District (Region: I-8-a Babatag)
II. Turan Province:
•
II-1. Central Fergana District (Regions: II-1-a
Kayrakkum-Yazyavan, II-1-b Eastern Fergana)
•
II-2. Middle Syrdarya District (Regions: II-2-a
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American Journal of Applied Science and Technology (ISSN: 2771-2745)
Chinaz, II-2-b Mirzachul)
•
II-3. Kyzylkum District (Regions: II-3-a
Kyzylkum, II-3-b Residual Kyzylkum Mountains)
•
II-4. Bukhara District (Regions: II-4-a Middle
Zarafshan, II-4-b Lower Zarafshan, II-4-c Karshi-Karnab
Desert)
•
II-5.
Karakum
District
(Region:
II-5-a
Northeastern Karakum)
•
II-6. Southern Aral Sea District (Regions: II-6-a
Khorezm, II-6-b Amu Darya Delta)
•
II-7. Aral Sea District (Region: II-7-a Aral)
•
II-8. Ustyurt District (Regions: II-8-a Northern
Ustyurt, II-8-b Southern Ustyurt)
Herbarium records of Aegilops species collected from
various regions indicate that Aegilops triuncialis,
Aegilops crassa, and Aegilops cylindrica are widely
distributed across both provinces. The least herbarium
data were found for Aegilops juvenalis and Aegilops
tauschii (Figure 4). In terms of elevation, the species
were found to occur at altitudes ranging from 400 to
1500 meters above sea level, with an average
distribution between 700 and 1400 meters. These
species grow in various ecological environments of
Uzbekistan,
including
desert,
semi-desert,
mountainous, and foothill zones.
CONCLUSION
The Poaceae family holds significant importance in the
flora of Uzbekistan due to its inclusion of species that
serve as nutritious food, forage, and medicinal plants.
Aegilops L. is one such genus, comprising species that
are considered valuable forage plants. The distribution
of this genus across the ecoregions and botanical-
geographical regions of Central Asia demonstrates the
species’ adaptation to specific environmental
conditions.
Today, ongoing climate change is affecting both the
distribution and diversity of these species. This study
American Journal of Applied Science and Technology
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American Journal of Applied Science and Technology (ISSN: 2771-2745)
provides valuable insights into the distribution patterns
of Aegilops species across the ecoregions of
Uzbekistan. Among the studied species, Aegilops
triuncialis was identified as the most widely distributed
in the country.
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