Peculiarities of the Neottianthe cucullata population structure under industrial loads (Samara oblast).

Representatives of the Orchidaceae family are an indicator of the sustainability of forest phytocenoses. In this regard, orchids can be called indicators of environmental conditions. Assessment of their condition in communities is of paramount importance for the development of conservation measures. The population structure of Neottianthe cucullata (L.) Schlechter, 1919. in the Buzuluksky Bor (within the Samara oblast) was studied in 2010-2021. The aim of the present study was to investigate the spatial-ontogenetic structure of N. cucullata cenopopopulations in the Samara oblast. The value of the research consists in obtaining and analyzing original data on N. cucullata in the Samara oblast, where the species is on the verge of extinction. The number of individuals was revealed, and the ontogenetic and spatial structure of cenopopopulations was studied. In the composition of cenopopopulations, different-aged individuals, including subsenile individuals, have been noted - the populations are complete. Low demographic indices which slow down or prevent self-restoration of N. cucullata cenopopulations under anthropogenic load were revealed. Under conditions of low stress, populations are mature and resistant to the effects of environmental factors. But with increasing industrial load and changes in light and soil moisture, the stability of populations decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]