Home – Home – Jornals – Contemporary Problems of Ecology 2020 number 3

The work proposes an algorithm of analysis of structural and functional organization of crowns of Salix species. It can be used to study the architecture of various species of trees and shrubs. The boreal species of Salix are insufficiently investigated from the perspective of structural and biological diversity. The study of plant organs based on the concept of “architectural models” is particularly relevant. On the example of three-year escape systems (TYTS) we first studied the architecture of crowns of Salix species. Depending on gender differences and lighting conditions a new technique to study the architectural modules of Salix boreal species has been developed. From the 16 species studied 11 life forms have been revealed. They refer to two major categories: trees and shrubs. For some species, stannic life forms have also been described. 7 architectural modules have been identified: 3 modules in trees and tall shrubs, 2 modules in medium-sized shrubs, and 2 modules in low shrubs. Life forms of individuals of Salix sub-species were formed on the basis of three architectural modules, and Vetrix sub-family are based on six architectural modules. We have proved that female individuals of Salix species (other than S. acutifolia ) have a greater variety of TYTS types compared to male ones (assimilating “year-long” shoots as a part of TYTS in female individuals are 1.3 to 1.7 times larger than in male ones. It provides them with a larger assimilating surface. The crowns of female individuals have been found to be more branched. Year-long shoots developing from sleeping buds are found in low shrubs 3-6 times more often than in trees. Different parts of the crown of trees and high shrubs species differ in the ratio of year-long assimilating shoots: the largest number of them are in the middle and upper parts of the crown, and the smallest are - in the lower part.