Seledets V.P., Probatova N.S.
Год: 2012
ISBN: 978-1-62100-434-9
The book provides information on the original concept of the ecological range (ecorange) of plant species which is aimed at adaptive strategies in the Russian Far East monsoon zone. The ecorange is a part of multidimensional ecological space. Grades of ecological factors were estimated by the scales of L.G. Ramensky, which were modified by the authors for the monsoon zone. The ecorange of plant species is a complex of coenopopulations within the geographic range of the species. Holoecorange is a part of ecological space, where the species is able to exist, and coenoecorange is a part of holoecorange where the species predominates in plant communities. The ecorange is characterized by dimensions, configuration, orientation, by effectiveness, by the ecological optimum and the center of the ecorange. The configuration of the ecorange shows the path of ecological adaptation. The center of the holoecorange refers to the most probable ecological optimum if interspecific competition would be absent. The coenoecorange / holoecorange ratio refers to the effectiveness of ecological adaptation of species. The disposition of the ecological optimum and the center of the ecorange show the trend of ecological adaptation. The species examined in the ecorange study are native (indigenous flora) or alien (invasive), with various chromosome numbers and ploidy levels. Coenopopulations of different positions within the geographical area of species and within plant cover were studied. The properties of ecorange could be useful as indicators of ecological differentiation of taxa in connection with evolutionary processes. Special attention was paid to ecoranges in species with various ploidy levels. Coenopopulations of species in geographical profiles from the monsoon zone to inland areas show a transformation that affects almost all of the properties of the ecorange and ecological niche: the continental climate stipulates the “continentalization” of ecological niches. The book is based on extensive field work by the authors. Contents of the book: introduction, chapters of ecology of the area of study, the Family Poaceae as a model group, the ecological scales method, coenopopulation typology. The concept of ecological range as an advanced stage of development of the ecological scales method (parameters of the ecorange, effectiveness of the species in its ecological range), ecological differentiation, ecological ranges of plant species in global-scale ecotone, from the Pacific region to Inner Asia (with brief commentaries), ecological ranges of invasive species; ecological niches on the examples of species from the continent and from the islands, in geographical profiles, at the limits of the species geographical distribution, ecological niche as a discriminative feature of closely related species, conclusion, references, acknowledgements, brief information about the authors, Appendix (ecological scales for plant species of the monsoon zone and ecological ranges for Poaceae). Illustrated by tables & figures, colour photos of plants & landcapes.
