Current state, population structure and population dynamics of rare plants under economic and recreational use of natural-territorial complexes in the Middle Volga basin (Russia)

Abstract

Abstract The article summarizes the results of studies on the population structure and population dynamics of rare plants of the steppe and forest-steppe zones of the European part of Russia. Conservation of representatives is mainly ensured by the creation of protected areas and the inclusion in the Red Books. Four groups of species by peculiarities of ontogenetic structure and type of cenopopopulations according to the “delta-omega” criterion were determined. Most species are characterized by a mature type of cenopopopulations with a predominance of generative individuals. Long-term studies allowed us to establish that most of the rare species of the region have maintained their numbers. However, 30 representatives, the number of which has noticeably decreased, need to strengthen the conservation measures. The studies are of interest in the development of conservation measures, identifying the current ecological state of natural-territorial complexes under economic and recreational pressure, determining the categories of rarity of species, justifying the inclusion or exclusion of them from the Red Books.