Plant characteristics determination in sand pits near Moscow

Sand pits are man-made landforms, where vegetation self-restoration becomes very difficult. An in-depth study of sand pits' flora and vegetation must be done in order to restore the complete canopy on sand substrate, which prevents the movement of slopes. In Zvenigorod and Dzerzhinsk sand pits, aged about 70 years, we have studied the slopes with northern and southern exposure for 3 years. The article shows that all the 131 species which we have found in the surveyed area were species of vascular plants. Projective cover degree made up 20-30% which, in general, is a typical characteristic of sandy terrain. Hemicryptophytes dominate the spectrum of life forms by K. Raunkiaer in our research. According to the classification of life forms by I. G. Serebryakov, sand slopes are dominated by herbaceous perennial polycarpics, among which long and short rhizome plants and tap rooted plants are in majority. A significant proportion of tap rooted plants is due to their high degree of adaptation to strong light conditions and resistance to drought. Long- and short rhizome plants tend to loose substrates and soft soils.