Assessment of the State of the Allium praemixtum Vved. Cenopopulation (Amaryllidaceae) on the Ridges of Uzbekistan

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study of the state of the cenopopulation of a rare species, Allium praemixtum Vved. in the Nurata and Turkestan ranges. The ontogenetic structure of the cenopopulation was studied by the generally accepted methods (Uranov, 1975; Tsenopopulyatsiya rastenii…, 1976). Cenopopulations were characterized according to the classifications of A.A. Uranov and O.V. Smirnova (1969) and “delta–omega” (Zhivotovsky, 2001). The ecological density was determined by the method of W. Odum (1986). Geobotanical descriptions were made according to the standard methodology on sites of 100 m² (Field geobotany, 1964). The characteristic ontogenetic spectrum is left-sided, with an absolute maximum in one of the pregenerative groups (Cheremushkina, 2004). Cenopopulations (CP) 1, 5, 6 correspond to the characteristic left-sided ontogenetic spectrum with a maximum peak in the virginal state of the species. The centered ontogenetic spectrum does not coincide with the characteristics, culminating in middle age. The bimodal ontogenetic spectrum is then considered as a temporary left-sided variant with an equal peak in the medium generative and virginal states. The density of individuals in the studied cenopopulations varied from 1.1 to 9.7 ind./m², and the ecological density is from 2.3 to 17.63 ind./m². According to the “delta-omega” classification Allium praemixtum cenopopulation CP 1 is maturing, CP 5 and 6 are young, CP 2 and 4 are transitional, and CP 3 is mature. Existing cenopopulations are mainly located on unprotected territory, with the exception of CP 3 (near Mazhrumsay) and 4 (near Gurdarasay). The only solution to this problem can be the strict protection of cenopopulations.