Biological peculiarities of Juniperus communis L. in the age structure and chlorophul content in the Middle Urals

We studied age structure of 16 fragments (Staro-Pyshma, Baronovo, Nizhne-Tagil, Staro Utka, Ust Utka) in berry-bilberry-wood sorrel-herb pine forests, in a spruce forest in Sverdlovsk region between 56º56`24`` and 57º52`46`` N.L. The aim was to find communities with Juniperus communis L. and to study structure peculiarities of its coenopopulation fragments in Sverdlovsk region. The composition of file stands and canopy density are described for each forest type, density of Juniperus communis L. specimens and vitality indices are calculated. Almost all coenopopulations are comparatively young, virgin and generative plants with rather high vitality indices predominate. In 11 coenopopulation fragments there are immature specimens. In the Nizhny Tagil coenopopulation immature and juvenile specimens are absent due to recreation load. A greater percentage of male specimens compared to female ones prevents favorable seed regeneration. Active vegetative propagation in the Staro-Pyshma coenopopulation results in the maximum Juniperus communis L. density. Its state is estimated from the content of photosynthetic pygments in the needles. All differ in the accumulation of photosynthetic pygments: 1.36 to 2.25 mg/g wet weight chlorophyl a, 0.92 to 2.36 for chlorophyl в. Coenopopulation fragments in the «Chusovaya River» park forest have maximum vitality indices chlorophyl and carotinoid content. Where canopy density is high (0.8) chlorophyl в (pygment content stabilizer) Berry and bilberry pine forests are the most favourable habitats for Juniperus communis L. in conditions of the Middle Urals.