The object of this study is a characteristic subshrub of Khakasia, Ziziphora clinopodioides (Lamiaceae). The study of functional traits and the structure of the Z. clinopodioides populations at the eastern limit of its distribution (Republic of Khakasia) has been carried out for the first time. The materials were collected in 2022–2023 in true and meadow steppes of the forest-steppe belt. Environmental factors influencing functional traits and the ratio of individuals of different ontogenetic states have been identified. It has been established that disturbed steppes on sandy soils with the presence of stones and low moisture represent the ecological optimum for this species. Under these conditions, the indices of most of the studied functional traits (the number of vegetative shoots per 1 composite skeletal axis, the number of generative shoots with paracladia, the number of paracladia, the number of flowers in paracladia, the number of flowers in the main inflorescence) reach the highest values. In undisturbed steppes on sandy loam soils with moderate moisture, Z. clinopodioides is in unfavorable conditions, and develops individuals with minimal values of functional traits. All the studied populations are normal, complete or incomplete. Left-sided and bimodal ontogenetic spectra are formed in disturbed steppes on sandy soils with the presence of stones and low moisture; in the undisturbed steppe on sandy loam soil with moderate moisture, the spectrum type is bimodal. The density of individuals depends on the degree of soding in the community and anthropogenic load. With an increase in the total projective cover and in the absence of anthropogenic impact, the density of individuals decreases. The causes of restructuring of functional characters and changes in the ontogenetic spectrum of populations of Z. clinopodioides under the influence of various environmental factors at the range border are discussed.
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