Current State of the Natural Monument «Ardymsky Shikhan» (Penza District, Penza Region)

The relevance of the study lies in monitoring the vegetation of the highly valuable botanical natural monument «Ardymsky Shikhan» in Penza Region. The dynamics of vegetation were studied using the geobotanical profiling method (2001–2022). Trial plots were described using traditional methods. A total of 55 phytocoenotic descriptions were made, and an ecological-phytocoenotic classification of vegetation based on dominant species was developed. Geomorphological analysis was conducted using remote sensing data (RSD) and field landscape studies. The results indicate that under the protected regime over 20 years, there has been a significant increase in semi-shrubs (Krascheninnikovia ceratoides (L.) Gueldenst. and Ephedra distachya L.). True steppes on the summit and slopes of southern and southwestern exposure have been replaced by semi-shrubs, while slopes of eastern and western exposure have transitioned to steppe meadows. It is important to note that sod-grass true steppes have been replaced by diverse herbaceous variants on eastern and western slopes, and by shrub variants on the summit and southern/southwestern slopes. Meadow steppes have remained largely unchanged, but meadow vegetation has emerged, primarily steppe meadows on eastern and western slopes, and true meadows in depressions and foothills.