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T.Y. Dyachkova.
The age structure of protected plant cenopopulations: a criterion for assessment of their state
// Biodiversity of Fennoscandia (diversity, human impact, nature conservation). Petrozavodsk: Karelian Research Centre of RAS, 1997.
Assessment of the state of population systems is an acute problem nowadays. The concepts of assessment criteria are development fairly well. Basic problems that arise in this connection are concerned with the specificity of age structure.
In the light of the problem discussed, some species of the family Orchidaceae ( Cypripedium calceolus, Epipactis palustris, Platanthera bifolia, some species of the genus Dactylorhiza etc.) that are the subject of our study are undoubtedly of scientific interest. They represent the type of species that have a narrow biological potency range and play a minor role in phytocenosis which depends largely on cenotic competition.
Studies are conducted in different types of cenoses in protected and unprotected areas. Within the study area the species of the genus Dactylorhiza that represent root-tuber geophytes have a left-side age spectrum dominated by young plants in the absence of extreme conditions. The species of the genera Cypripedium and Epipactis, known as root geophytes, have a right-side age spectrum dominated by virgin individuals. Disturbance of age structure may signal the poor state of cenopopulations. For example, out of six cenopopulations of Cypripedium calceolus studied in Kivach Nature Reserve one is in regressive state, has an incomplete age spectrum (juvenile and immature plants are absent) and is self-supported most probably by senile particulation. In Epipactis palustris, which grows in the Lake Onega region (Zaonezhye), juvenile and immature plants of seed origin were observed to dominate in one cenopopulation studied. This indicates that the species competes for survival in this habitat.
Thus, the study of the age structure of protected plant cenopopulations is very important for assessment of their state and prediction of their subsequent growth.
In the light of the problem discussed, some species of the family Orchidaceae ( Cypripedium calceolus, Epipactis palustris, Platanthera bifolia, some species of the genus Dactylorhiza etc.) that are the subject of our study are undoubtedly of scientific interest. They represent the type of species that have a narrow biological potency range and play a minor role in phytocenosis which depends largely on cenotic competition.
Studies are conducted in different types of cenoses in protected and unprotected areas. Within the study area the species of the genus Dactylorhiza that represent root-tuber geophytes have a left-side age spectrum dominated by young plants in the absence of extreme conditions. The species of the genera Cypripedium and Epipactis, known as root geophytes, have a right-side age spectrum dominated by virgin individuals. Disturbance of age structure may signal the poor state of cenopopulations. For example, out of six cenopopulations of Cypripedium calceolus studied in Kivach Nature Reserve one is in regressive state, has an incomplete age spectrum (juvenile and immature plants are absent) and is self-supported most probably by senile particulation. In Epipactis palustris, which grows in the Lake Onega region (Zaonezhye), juvenile and immature plants of seed origin were observed to dominate in one cenopopulation studied. This indicates that the species competes for survival in this habitat.
Thus, the study of the age structure of protected plant cenopopulations is very important for assessment of their state and prediction of their subsequent growth.
Last modified: November 20, 2006