Advances in Biology & Earth Sciences

The phytocoenoses of the Lachin and Zangilan districts in Azerbaijan play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, supporting natural regeneration and sustaining ecological stability. This study examined the tree, shrub and herbaceous components of mixed broad-leaved forests situated on the first terrace above the floodplain in the Lachin district. Field surveys were conducted using three experimental plots, each with a minimum area of 500 m², in which tree density, age structure, natural regeneration and undergrowth composition were systematically assessed. The dominant tree species included Georgian oak (Quercus iberica), hazel (Corylus avellana), maple (Acer campestre) and poplar (Populus alba), with hazel and maple seedlings predominating within the undergrowth. Herbaceous species comprised forest, forest-steppe, floodplain meadow and forest-boreal types. Observations indicated limited natural regeneration, as most seedlings did not reach reproductive maturity. The absence of aquatic and marsh species was attributed to the study sites’ elevation above the floodplain meadow zones. The forests were predominantly mixed broad-leaved, with no pure stands observed and the majority of trees belonged to the older age class (over 50 years). Timber volume was moderate, averaging 79 m³/ha. In Zangilan, afforestation initiatives covering 30 hectares involved the planting of over 30,000 trees and shrubs, including pine, cypress, Ailanthus, hawthorn and plane tree, demonstrating adaptation to local ecological conditions. These findings underscore the critical importance of conserving and restoring forest ecosystems to enhance biodiversity, maintain ecological functions and promote sustainable forest management in the Lesser Caucasus region of Azerbaijan.