ANALYSIS OF CENOPOPULATIONS BASED ON GEOBOTANY OF RARE SPIRAEANTHUS SCHRENKIANUS FISCH. & C.A. MEY. PLANTS IN ZHARTYTOBE RURAL DISTRICT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26577/EJE202584312Abstract
The article presents the results of geobotanical research on the ecotope of the rare endemic plant Spiraeanthus schrenkianus Fisch. & C.A. Mey., growing in the foothills of the Syrdarya Karatau range (Turkestan Region, Sozak District, Zhartytobe Rural District). Generally accepted geobotanical methods were used to investigate the species' age structure, reproductive potential, quantitative characteristics, and to describe the cenoflora. As the result of the study two coenopopulations of S. schrenkianus were identified and described, including the species composition of the coenoflora, total projective cover by plants, and vertical structure of the vegetation. The GPS coordinates of the first population were N 43°34'09.10" and E 69°05'57.9", with an elevation of 758 meters above sea level. The second population was located at N 43°34'03.78" and E 69°05'21.09", at an elevation of 793 meters above sea level. The soil in these populations are classified as mountainous gray-brown with a light loamy texture. To assess the plant's age structure and its level of adaptation to environmental conditions, transects measuring 10×10 meters were laid. Sample plots of 1 m² were used to count individuals and evaluate population density. On transects measuring 10×10 m for each coenopopulation, the age spectrum was determined by considering individuals of S. schrenkianus of different age groups. It was found that the coenopopulations of this species are complete and normal: they contain all age groups of plants, from seedlings to mature generative individuals. The species studied blooms and forms seeds annually. There are no grounds for asserting a direct threat to the existence of coenopopulations in the study area. However, given the rarity of S. schrenkianus, it is noted that its area of distribution is limited.
Key words: flora, endem, dominant, condominium, population, cenopopulation, projective cover
