CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF UNDERGROUND PHYTOMASS OF SALT-TOLERANT COMMUNITIES OF THE BARABA FOREST STEPPE

Results are given from determination of the plant mass of eight phytoc enoses of a typical halohydrogenic series of the Baraba forest steppe. It was established that the main store of phytomass is formed in the underground sphere, providing for stability in conditions of climatic instability, salinization, and hay-cutting. Characteristics of the fra ctional composition and vertical structure of underground phytomass we re determined, and also the aboveground and underground mass of commun ities in different types of solonetz soils.