Development Dynamics and Vitality of Cenopopulations of Minuartia biebersteinii (Rupr.) Schischk. in the Greater Caucasus

The article provides information on the development dynamics and vitality of cenopopulations of Minuartia bieberstenii (Rupr.) Schischk. in various plant groupings. The research was conducted from 2021 to 2024 in the Greater Caucasus region of Azerbaijan, specifically in the Qakh and Gabala districts, at altitudes ranging from 1028 to 2100 meters above sea level. The studies were carried out in three different associations:I CP: Festucetum rupila – Asperulasum caucasica association, II CP: Poacetum pratense - Trifoleusum canesens association, III CP: Festucetum pratensis - Dactylosum glomerata L. association. During the period from 2021 to 2024, fluctuations in population structure were more prominently observed in I CP. As a result of age spectrum fragmentation, the population was incomplete. The conducted studies revealed both critical and developing vitality stages in the populations of Minuartia bieberstenii. In I CP, a critical state of the senopopulation was recorded only in 2022 (Festucetum rupila – Asperulasum caucasica association). In II SP, (Poacetum pratense - Trifoleusum canesens association), critical conditions were observed in 2022-2023. In III SP (Festucetum pratensis - Dactylosum glomerata L. association), critical conditions were noted in 2022 and 2024. The remaining periods showed populations in a developing stage.