Influence of some landscape factors on the belowground plant biomass distribution in mountain ecosystems of Armenia

Presented are the results from investigating the belowground biomass of grass associations as an important factor of functional stability of mountain ecosystems. Field investigations were conducted in plant communities of the dry-steppe, meadow-steppe and alpine belts of Armenia at altitudes of 1200–3250 m above the sea level. It is shown that the conditions of vertical belts, topography and the slope aspect of the mountain landscapes under investigation have influence on belowground biomass accumulation and distribution in the profile of the root layer of soils.