Some Features of the Environmental Strategy of Tulipa gesneriana L. (Liliaceae, Liliopsida)

Abstract

The vitality of 31 natural populations of Tulipa gesneriana is based on our field surveys that were conducted in several parts of European Russia from 2013 to 2015. The basic factors that affect the vitality of the T. gesneriana population were revealed according to the results of the analysis of 14 morphological parameters of T. gesneriana. Cattle grazing was the most essential factor. The effect of other negative factors is much lower. On the whole, the mixed stress-tolerant and ruderal ecological cenotic strategy is characteristic of the species. For instance, an increase in the stress level leads to a decrease in the size of all aboveground organs, which is accompanied by considerable variations in the height and diameter of plants. However, most of the parameters, on the contrary, have a weak reduction in their variability under stress. All these features indicate a comparatively narrow ecological amplitude of the species investigated.