Distribution of potentilla (Potentilla L., Rosaceae) at the river basin areas of the Amur and Primorsky regions: statistical data analysis

In the paper, the author considers distribution of the Potentilla in certain river basin areas of the Amur and Primorsky regions by using statistical analysis. The hierarchical ordering of river basin areas is presented on the dendrogram. It is based on the matrix of similarity measures by the «full link» method. In the matrix, there are two main clusters. The first cluster unites the river basin mainly with low species diversity of the Potentilla, explained by insufficient investigation of these areas and some species growing in more northern and colder conditions. The second cluster includes the river basin areas mainly with high showings of the Potentilla species composition. The flora in these areas is better studied, characterized by the diversity of its floristic complexes and numerous synanthropic species. On the dendrogram, the two clusters are united into a single one designating the occurrence of the same Potentilla species in river basins of both the Amur and Primorsky regions.