The life strategies of firm-bunch grasses Festuca lenensis Drob. and Koeleria cristata (L.) Pers. in the steppe communities of Central Yakutia

An evaluation of the life strategies of firm-bunch grasses, namely Festuca lenensis and Koeleria cristata, was conducted within the steppe ecosystems of Central Yakutia, using established ecological and phytocenotic strategies. These strategies classify plant species into three groups: competitors, stress-tolerants, and ruderals, commonly referred to as CSR strategies. Each group is defined by a distinct set of adaptive ontogenetic and population characteristics. A comprehensive assessment of various adaptive population indicators was performed, including density, recovery index, aging index, basic spectrum, types of regenerative strategy, and vitality structure. The study included 21 cenopopulations of Festuca lenensis and 12 cenopopulations of Koeleria cristata. Consequently, the ecological conditions of the communities were analyzed using ecological scales, considering the impact of several factors: moisture, soil salinity, and pasture degradation. In the valley of the middle reaches of the Lena River, Festuca lenensis was observed to thrive within the following ranges: at moisture levels of 56.0-59.0, soil salinity levels of 10.4-11.4, and pasture degradation levels of 3.8-4.5. Conversely, communities containing Koeleria cristata were associated with moisture levels of 54.5-59.0, soil salinity levels of 10.4-12.2, and pasture degradation levels of 4.2-4.5. Furthermore, distinct life strategies were identified for both Festuca lenensis and Koeleria cristata. The ecological and phytocenotic strategy of Festuca lenensis is representative of low-bunch grasses found in unproductive communities, aligning with the CSR strategies. In contrast, Koeleria cristata demonstrates an S strategy. In conclusion, the life strategies of both Festuca lenensis and Koeleria cristata, shaped by their distinct adaptive responses of population indicators to comparable ecological and phytocenotic conditions, enable their successful coexistence within the changing environments of the relict steppe communities in Central Yakutia.

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