Abstract
Uranov (1975) formulated a theory of the age structure of plant populations and, in particular, defined the index of ageness Δ. On the basis of this theory, the concepts of the energy efficiency of plants in a certain ontogenetic state and the average efficiency of a population (ω) are introduced. A new classification of populations with respect to the types of age structure is proposed which is based on both the Δ and ω values and, accordingly, is named the delta–omega classification. The notion of effective population density is defined. This parameter takes into account different “loads” of plants in different ontogenetic states on the environment and is quantitatively equal to the product of the population density and ω. The proposed approaches and methods are illustrated by data on the distribution of age states in different plant species.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Ermakova, I.M., Viability of Cenopopulations and Methods of Its Assessment, in Tsenopopulyatsii rastenii (Plant Cenopopulations), Moscow: Nauka, 1976, pp. 92–105.
Rabotnov, T.A., Problems in Studying the Composition of Populations for Phytocenological Purposes, Probl. Bot., 1950, no. 1, pp. 465–483.
Teteryuk, L.V., Population Biology of Ajuga reptans L. and Asarum europaeum L. at the Northern Boundary of the Range, Cand. Sci. (Biol.) Dissertation, Syktyvkar, 1998.
Uranov, A.A. and Smirnova, O.V., Classification of Perennial Plant Populations and Main Features of Their Development, Byull. Mosk. O-va Ispyt. Prir., Otd. Biol., 1969, vol. 74, no. 1, pp. 119–134.
Uranov, A.A., The Age Spectrum of a Cenopopulation as a Function of Time and Energy Wave Processes, Biol. Nauki, 1975, no. 2, pp. 7–33.
Zaugol'nova, L.B., Types of the Age Spectra of Normal Plant Cenopopulations, in Tsenopopulyatsii rastenii (Plant Cenopopulations), Moscow: Nauka, 1976, pp. 81–92.
Zhukova, L.A., Changes in the Age Composition of Tufted Hairgrass Cenopopulations in Oka Meadows, Cand. Sci. (Biol.) Dissertation, Moscow: Lenin State Pedag. Inst., 1967.
Zhukova, L.A., Ontogeny and Age Composition of Deschampsia flexuosa (L.) Trin. (Poaceae) Cenopopulations, Bot. Zh., 1979, vol. 64, no. 4, pp. 525–540.
Zhukova, L.A., Effects of Anthropogenic Factors on the Age Composition of Tufted Hairgrass Cenopopulations under Different Geographic Conditions, Byull. Mosk. O-va Ispyt. Prir., Otd. Biol., 1981, vol. 86, no. 1, pp. 87–99.
Zhukova, L.A. and Ermakova, I.M., Changes in the Age Composition of Tufted Hairgrass Populations in Floodplain and Upland Meadows of Moscow Oblast, in Ontogenez i vozrastnoi sostav tsvetkovykh rastenii (Ontogeny and Age Composition of Flowering Plants), Moscow, 1967, pp. 114–131.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhivotovsky, L.A. Ontogenetic States, Effective Density, and Classification of Plant Populations. Russian Journal of Ecology 32, 1–5 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009536128912
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009536128912