Ecological and phytocoenotic properties, age structure and rhizome phytomass of Rhodiola rosea L. coenopopulations in the prepolar Urals.

摘要

Coenopopulations (CP) of the medicinal plant, R. rosea, were studied in different phytocoenoses within 3 altitude belts on the Eastern slope of the Prepolar Urals near Mount Neroika. An age index, based on an analysis of the population structure, was elaborated and used as an integral indicator of life strategy, along with the phytomass of rhizomes, correlations of biomass and dead mass in rhizomes, and their annual growth in different situations. Individuals with moderate vigour and low rhizome phytomass but high biomass predominated in young populations; individuals with high vigour and rhizome phytomass became predominant with increase of the age index of a population. Vigour of old plants was higher than that of young and middle-aged generative plants. In the severe ecological conditions of the mountain tundra, CP grow old and individuals have lower vigour, rhizome phytomass and growth rate. The phytomass of rhizomes depends on ecological conditions, the age structure of the CP, annual growthrates and the number of individuals.