Dynamics of <i>Orchis mascula</i> (L.) L. number in the reserves of the Republic of Bashkortostan

Abstract

The paper presents the results of monitoring studies of Orchis mascula (L.) L. in the South Ural State Nature Reserve and in the State Reserve Shulgan-Tash. In the South Ural State Nature Reserve O. mascula coenopopulations are found in forest clearings located on the peaks and in the upper parts of the slopes. In the state reserve Shulgan-Tash the only population of O. mascula grows in a forbs meadow under conditions of moderate moisture. In these two reserves the number of individuals in coenopopulations is not high. The ontogenetic spectra of coenopopulations are full-membered, they are left-sided in the conditions of the South Ural State Nature Reserve and they are right-sided in the State Reserve Shulgan-Tash. Unidirectional changes in the number of individuals in different coenopopulations were revealed: from 2016 to 2019 there was a decrease in the number and by 2020 there was an increase. The decrease in the number of individuals is largely associated with their departure to secondary dormancy with the onset of adverse weather conditions rather than dying off. In general, the state of O. mascula coenopopulations under conservation conditions is satisfactory. Currently to maintain the number in the places where the species grows haymaking is carried out every 4 years.