Variability of the genus  Rhododendron   (Ericaceae) species in protected areas of the Altai-Sayan region

N. A. Tikhonova; Тихонова Н. А.; I. V. Tikhonova; Тихонова И. В.; N. I. Molokova; Молокова Н. И.; L. V. Krivobokov; Кривобоков Л. В.

doi:10.31857/S0006813625050023

Variability of the genus Rhododendron (Ericaceae) species in protected areas of the Altai-Sayan region

Authors: Tikhonova N.A.¹, Tikhonova I.V.², Molokova N.I.³, Krivobokov L.V.¹
Affiliations:
1. Sukachev Institute of Forest SB RAS
2. West-Siberian Branch of Sukachev Institute of Forest SB RAS
3. FSBI State Nature Reserve “Azas”
Issue: Vol 110, No 5 (2025)
Pages: 447–459
Section: COMMUNICATIONS
URL: https://ruspoj.com/0006-8136/article/view/688578
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31857/S0006813625050023
EDN: https://elibrary.ru/GYAKAQ
ID: 688578

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Abstract

Populations of three rhododendron species were investigated, Rhododendron ledebourii Pojark., R. aureum Georgi, and R. adamsii Rehd., growing in the specially protected natural areas of the Altai-Sayan mountain country. Intrapopulation morphological variability of some taxonomically significant and adaptive vegetative characters of the rhododendrons was studied. The most constant traits of all three species are relative leaf width and leaf lifespan. It was found that the height of the rhododendron shrubs decreased with the deterioration of soil and climatic conditions for their growth, namely decrease in the precipitation amount of and soil moisture, and in an average annual air temperature. It was established that in the conditions of specially protected natural areas in the south of Siberia, R. ledebourii reached its natural size, which is significantly larger than in disturbed habitats, that is consistent with the observations of other researchers for R. aureum and R. adamsii from hard-to-reach, and, therefore, undisturbed areas. The upper limits of leaf and plant sizes of R. ledebourii have been clarified. It is concluded that it is necessary to use intact populations from protected areas as a control to clarify morphological characteristics and limits of variability of the species, and to monitor disturbed populations. It was established that main taxonomic feature separating the closely related species R. ledebourii and R. dauricum, namely leaf lifespan, is a highly sensitive ecological feature that well separates both populations and groups of studied populations from different habitats. The article touches on the question of taxonomic status of some rhododendron species.

Keywords

conservation areas, morphological variability, populations, rhododendron, south of Siberia

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