Phytocenotic and resource characteristics of Rheum tataricum L.f. in the Northern Aral region

The article presents the results of a study on the phytocenotic characteristics and resource assessment of Rheum tataricum L.f. in the Northern Aral region. Rh. tataricum has significant resource potential and is the most widespread species of the genus Rheum L. on the territory of Kazakhstan. Under the arid climate conditions of the Northern Aral region, Rh. tataricum demonstrates high adaptability and resistance to extreme environmental conditions. The purpose of the study is to inventory the commercial thickets and evaluate the raw material base of tatar rhubarb in the territory of the Northern Aral region for further use as a natural resource. Field studies were conducted, along with assessments of the yield of tatar rhubarb, the operational stock of the root, the volume of possible annual stocks of air-dry raw material. A comparative analysis of contemporary and retrospective data was also conducted. Five massifs were identified, ranging from 0.08 to 8751 hectares. It was found that on the area of 535.75 hectares occupied by Rh. tataricum, the total operational stock of the air-dry underground biomass is 455.6 tons, with a possible annual processed volume of 75.94 tons of air-dry roots. Industrial harvesting of the underground part of Rh. tataricum is possible in compliance with the recommended volume of annual harvesting of raw materials in the territory of the Northern Aral region.