State of <i>Limonium</i> <i>gmelinii</i> (Plumbaginaceae) Coenopopulations in the Republic of Khakassia

Abstract

Abstract—The study is focused on the characteristic halophyte of Khakassia – Limonium gmelinii (Willd.) Kuntze (Plumbaginaceae). There is no information on the structure and assessment of the state of the coenopopulations of L. gmelinii in Khakassia. The materials were collected in 2022 from steppe and meadow plant communities with varying degrees of salinity. It was found that L. gmelinii coenopopulations are stable. The studied coenopopulations are normal, complete and incomplete. The left-sided type of the ontogenetic spectrum is formed in the alkaline steppe with low total projective cover and sufficient moisture; centered – on slightly saline or almost non-saline substrate of grass-covered steppe and meadow communities under different moisture regimes. The change in the ontogenetic structure and an increase in the undergrowth are associated with seed renewal and ecological and phytocenotic conditions of habitats. The density of individuals depends on the ecological and phytocenotic environment. The maximum total score of organismal and populational characters in Limonium gmelinii individuals was observed on slightly saline and practically non-saline soils in the cold sagebrush-grass and sagebrush real steppes of Khakassia. On the steppe meadows with low salinity, extensive grass cover and lack of moisture, the species does not reach the optimum. On highly saline soils, under low competition from related species and sufficient moisture, the total score of organismal and population characters reaches an average value.