Status of rare plant cenopopulations of the tract “Bolshiye Mochazhiny” in Balashov district, Saratov region

Abstract

Cenopopulations of three rare and protected plants of the Saratov region (Gladiolus tenuis, Iris halophila, and Dactylorrhiza incarnata) were found in the tract “Bolshiye Mochazhiny”. These species are protected in neighboring regions as well – the Tambov, Voronezh, Penza regions and others. The species are of high ornamental value, which is another factor besides the narrow ecological amplitude of the plants. G. tenuis, I. halophila, and D. incarnata are demanding to moisture and soil fertility, have high numbers, and create aspects. In the cenopopulations of the studied plants a process of self-renewal proceeds, which is not hampered by anthropogenic factors, as the tract is far from settlements and is swampy in some places. The morphometric indices of the rare species correspond to their biology. The ontogenetic status of the species cenopopulations is characterized by a single-vertex spectrum with a high proportion of individuals of generative fractions: 49.4% for G. tenuis, 40.0% for D. incarnate, and 62.2% for I. halophila, respectively. According to T. A. Rabotnov’s classification, the cenopopopulations of the studied species are normal incomplete-membered. According to L. A. Zhivotovsky’s delta–omega classification, the cenopopulations of G. tenuis and D. incarnata are old; while that of I. halophile is aging. The studied cenopopulations of rare plants are stable in time and space. It is necessary to declare the tract “Bolshiye Mochazhiny” a natural monument of regional importance.