Structural features of the Orchidaceae populations

Abstract

Currently, there is an insufficient number of studies on the low-level taxonomic diversity of orchids. This situation leads to the threat of implementation of measures to protect various species at multiple levels and may lead to their extinction. This is exactly the reason for the relevance of the present study. The goal of the study is to reveal the structural features of three populations of the orchid family based on indicators of density, ecological allocation, vitality, seed productivity, and the like. The leading approach to the study was the examination and comparison of various parameters of samples. The subjects of the study were individuals of three isolated populations of the Cephalanthera damasonium species. The study revealed a high level of vitality of one of the populations, due to the largest number. In addition, it was found that the age structure of the population forms the dynamics of development, and the highest seed productivity depends on the number and density of individuals. A common feature for all three studied populations is growth on the cinereous podzolized soils. At the same time, the content of calcium and other trace elements, CaCO3 and organic matter in the upper soil layers is substantially different. The content of such metals as nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) in the soils of the three localities of the studied populations is approximately the same, and the content of magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) fluctuates