Ecological Characteristics of Biotopes and Structure of Communities with the Involvement of Globularia L. (Plantaginaceae, Magnoliopsida) within the Eastern European Section of the Range

An estimation of the ranges of ecological conditions in which the species Globularia bisnagarica L. and Globularia trichosantha Fisch. & C.A. Mey. exist in the composition of communities growing on the territory of European Russia is presented. The studies were carried out in 25 communities with G. bisnagarica and four with G. trichosantha. The estimation of ecological regimes of phytocenoses according to the scales of D.N. Tsyganov demonstrated that both species inhabit very narrow ranges of climatic, soil factors, and lighting (being stenovalent). At the same time, the thermoclimatic and lighting factors were the most limiting ones for G. bisnagarica. The soil characteristics, such as salt regime and nitrogen richness, were the factors limiting G. trichosantha. According to the spectrum of ecomorphs, the communities of these two species were similar to each other. The vast majority of species are classified as steppe types. Hemicryptophytes are the predominant type of biomorphs. In relation to trophicity, more than half of the species are mesotrophs. By the temperature regime, mesotherms are the dominant group. The range of humidification regimes in the habitats of communities contributes to the growth of xerophyte and meso-xerophyte species to a greater extent. Due to the specificity of habitats of the communities with the involvement of Globularia on open slopes, most species are heliophytes. The analysis of the patterns of change in the species composition of the communities from environmental factors on a global scale demonstrated that the temperature parameters make the greatest contribution to changes.