Types of mineral exchange in plants in South Chukotka.

摘要

The forms of K, Ca and Mg in the plants (mainly grasses and forbs) growing on the ultrabasic and acid rocks of the South Chukotka, Russia were investigated. The types of the mineral exchange (oxalate, calciotrophic, potassium) were determined for more than 60 species from 16 families on the base of the K:Ca ratio in the water fraction. From the results, it is suggested that there are distinct mineral exchange types in the plants of various taxonomic groups. Most species conserved their mineral exchange type in the habitats contrasting in geochemical and ecological respects. Species with oxalate mineral exchange type preferentially colonized serpentine soils. These were adapted to the very low cell level of soluble Ca (oxalate type) and were able to bind the excess Mg as oxalate.