Abstract

Introduction Changes at population level are the particular manifestation of biodiversity loss at regional and global levels. Therefore, there is an urgent need for integrated phytopopulation researches, and study of rare and endangered species as the most vulnerable part of plant communities should be one of their priorities. This study should result in elaboration of effective measures to preserve and to protect these species on the basis of computer modeling methods and prediction of coenopopulation development dynamics. Purpose The aim of this study was to establish ontogenetic structure of C. marschalliana coenopopulations in typical forest communities of Ukrainian Left-Bank Forest-Steppe and to define their characteristics for Sumy geobotanical region. Methods We studied five coenopopulations C. marschalliana, located in Sumy geobotanical region. These populations were formed in the following forest communities: №1 – у Fraxineto (excelsioris)–Acereto (platanoiditis)–Quercetum (roboris) franguloso (alni)−aegopodiosum (podagrariae), №2 – Fraxineto (excelsioris)–Aceretum (platanoiditis) coryloso (avellanae)−urticosum (dioici), №3 – Acereto (platanoiditis)–Tilieto (cordatae)–Quercetum (roboris) aegopodiosum (podagrariae), №4 – Acereto (platanoiditis)–Tilieto (cordatae)–Quercetum (roboris) aegopodioso (podagrariae)−stellariosum (holosteae), №5 – Acereto (platanoiditis)–Tilieto (cordatae)–Quercetum (roboris) coryloso (avellanae)−aegopodiosum (podagrariae). The proportion of different ontogenetic states was determined in studied coenopopulations C. marschalliana. Results We have established ontogenetic populations structure of Corydalis marschalliana in Sumy geobotanical region (percentage, %): coenopopulation №1: p – 39,44; j – 14,79; im – 13,73; v – 7,04; g1 – 22,18; g2 – 2,46; g3 – 0,35; ss – 0; s – 0; coenopopulation №2: p – 22,00; j – 10,50; im – 14,00; v – 16,00; g1 – 36,50; g2 – 1,00; g3 – 0; ss – 0; s – 0; coenopopulation №3: p – 34,37; j – 13,00; im – 11,15; v – 4,02; g1 – 33,44; g2 – 2,79; g3 – 1,24; ss – 0; s – 0; coenopopulation №4: p – 20,85; j – 26,25; im – 17,18; v – 8,69; g1 – 25,68; g2 – 0,97; g3 – 0,39; ss – 0; s – 0; coenopopulation №5: p – 16,50; j – 23,62; im – 18,12; v – 10,03; g1 – 30,10; g2 – 1,29; g3 – 0,32; ss – 0; s – 0. Also we have established ontogenetic indices of Corydalis marschalliana coenopopulations in Sumy geobotanical region: index of resumption, index of aging, generative index, age of population index and correlation coefficient ∆/ω. They had the following values: 1. Index of resumption (%): coenopopulation №1 − 75,00; coenopopulation №2 − 62,50; coenopopulation №3 − 62,54; coenopopulation №4 − 72,97; coenopopulation №5 − 68,28. 2. Index of aging (%): coenopopulation №1 − 0,35; coenopopulation №2 − 0,00; coenopopulation №3 − 1,24; coenopopulation №4 − 0,39; coenopopulation №5 − 0,32. 3. Generative index (%): coenopopulation №1 − 25,00; coenopopulation №2 − 37,50; coenopopulation №3 − 37,46; coenopopulation №4 − 27,03; coenopopulation №5 − 31,72. 4. Age of population index: coenopopulation №1 − 0,00; coenopopulation №2 − 0,00; coenopopulation №3 − 0,02; coenopopulation №4 − 0,01; coenopopulation №5 − 0,00. 5. Correlation coefficient ∆/ω: coenopopulation №1 − 0,09/0,28; coenopopulation №2 − 0,13/0,40; coenopopulation №3 − 0,13/0,36; coenopopulation №4 − 0,10/0,31; coenopopulation №5 − 0,12/0,35. The belonging of each of the studied coenopopulations to a certain category according to classifications (T.Rabotnov - invasive; L. Zhukova - normal; and L. Zhivotovskiy - young) was defined. Originality For the first time we conducted integrated phytopopulation researches of C. marschalliana coenopopulations in Sumy geobotanical region. Conclusion All C. marschalliana coenopopulations in Sumy geobotanic region are incomplete and bimodal. These populations are characterized by active recovery processes and intense penetration into forest communities. Thereafter, the significant increase of C. marschalliana representation can happen in the researched phytocoenoses in composition of spring ephemeroid synusia during the next 3-5 years. The morphometric and vitality analyses for evaluation of dimensional parameters and vitality level of individuals and coenopopulations of this species should be used for further researches. Thus, due to integrated analysis of several structure types (ontogenetic, dimensional, vitality), it will be possible to elaborate detailed forecasts of further existence of C. marschalliana coenopopulations and scientific approaches to ensure their protection.

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