Polyvariance of ontogeny of Castilleja lapponica Gand. under industrial pollution of the Subarctic

Abstract

Studies of the cenopopulations of Castilleja lapponica Gand. - the endemic Arctic, North European species were carried out in the Lovozersky Mountains (Murmansk region). Monitoring of the cenopopulations of C. lapponica continued for 2 years under chemical and radiation pollution of the environment (30-60 uR/hr) by the Lovozersky Mining and Processing Plant where the tantalum-niobium ores and rare earth raw materials are mined and processed. Wastes of ore dressing are homogeneous sands, which are stored in the Tailing Dump. The study was held at stationary test sites in the tundra meadows and in the vicinity of the Karnasurt Tailing Dump. The polyvariance of ontogeny in cenopopulations of C. lapponica under the industrial pollution and in the natural environment of the tundra has been revealed. It is shown that under the technogenic stress, Castilleja, which reproduces in tundra meadows mainly vegetatively, switches to seed reproduction. Ontogeny spectra are unstable: in the first year of monitoring, seedlings are dominating, in the second - generative plants. Radiation stimulates the germination of seeds, the intensity of sexual reproduction increases, but most of seedlings are eliminated up to the next year. The high level of dooming of generative shoots and individuals, teratogenesis of inflorescences has been identified. The vitality of individuals decreases, the density of cenopopulations changes. Seed reproduction under conditions of the environment pollution by rare elements and radionuclides can be considered as an adaptation that contributes to the survival of C. lapponica.