The biological characteristics and the state of coenopopulations of orchids of the basin of the Shchugor river (“Yugyd va” national park)

The coenopopulations of nine species of Orchidaceae ( Coeloglossum viride, Cypripedium guttatum, Dactylorhiza baltica, D. fuchsii, D. incarnata, D. maculata, D. traunsteineri, Epipactis atrorubens and Goodyera repens ) were studied in the southern part of the "Yugyd va" National park (basin of the middle and lower reaches of the Shchugor River) during 2009 and 2015-2016. Distribution of these species was mainly connected with spring mires and limestone outcrops in the valley of the Shchugor river. Orchids were found to be well adapted to environmental conditions of the Northern Urals as evidenced by the relatively high coenopopulations number, successful reproduction and compliance of ontogenetic spectra to specific biological characteristics. Proportion of immature plants increased slightly in coenopopulations of some species ( Cypripedium guttatum, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, D. maculata, D. traunsteineri ) may be due to their northern location and longer ontogenesis. Species with root-stem tuberoids were characterized mainly by seed reproduction while reproduction of species with rhizomes was based on a combination of seed and vegetative reproduction.