Relic populations of <i>Ranunculus kamtschaticus</i> DC. (Ranunculaceae) in the Urals

Abstract

In the context of global climate change, it is of great interest to assess the adaptive capabilities of the glacial relics of the Urals and the prospects for their conservation. Ranunculus kamtschaticus DC. has a high degree of ecological specialization for high mountain conditions and extremely low plasticity. It is preserved in the midlands of the Urals on individual peaks. The life form of R. kamtschaticus in the Ural fragment of its range is a brush-rooted non-turf polycarpic grass with erect assimilating shoots of a non-succulent type. The variability of the development of its shoots and shoot systems under the influence of climatic and weather conditions is shown, the preferential development of shoots with an incomplete development cycle is noted. Irregular fruiting, a long period of germination, and rapid loss of seed germination reduce the competitiveness of R. kamtschaticus in the Urals and its ability to colonize new territories. Threat assessment according to IUCN criteria showed that populations of the species in the Komi Republic and Sverdlovsk region are in critical condition.