Depressions (pody) of the Steppe zone

Description (English)

Pody are a heterogeneous group of closed depressions of the Steppic region, predominantly on the left bank of the Lower Dnipro and along the Lower Volga and Lower Don, some of them are relics of the ancient hollows of the former Dnipro valley, others are formed as a result of subsidence processes or deflationary phenomena. Characterised by Gleysols ("gleysolod") with iron-manganese nodules, formed as a result of prolonged flooding. Characterised by a wide spectrum of vegetation including free-floating, coastal, ephemeral, meadow, meadow-steppe communities from the Isoёto-Nanojuncetea, Nanocyperetalia, Myosuro-Beckmannion eruciformis, Eleocharition soloniensis, MolinioArrhenatheretea, Molinietalia, Lythro virgati-Elytrigion pseudocaesiae, Festuco-Brometea, Festucetalia valesiacae and Festucion valesiacae

Source:
EUNIS habitat classification
Interpretation Manual of the habitats targeted by Resolution No. 4