Impact of dominants on species and cenotic diversity of grass vegetation

Abstract

Questions considered: 1. How is the structure of dominance in grass communities different with different models of organization? 2. How does the relationship between the degree of domination and species wealth differ in coenoses organized in different ways? 3. What are the reasons for this connection in the plant communities of these types? 4. What are the regional implications of the impact of dominants on the micro-sites of communities? The objects of research were: 1) communities of low mountain, subalpine and alpine meadows, steppes, subalpine swamps, alpine carpets and heathlands, grass tier of forests, pastures, river banks, trampled and ruderal habitats, and others; 2) areas of vegetation, including communities of different types. Species richness and relative abundance of species were estimated in plots 0.25 m². Abundance of the species was estimated through their fresh mass. The coenotic diversity of vegetation areas was assessed by identifying community types based on combinations of diagnostic species.