Comprehensive analysis of the state of habitats of Cotoneaster lucidus Schlecht. in the Malo-Istoksky forest park in Yekaterinburg

. The article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of Cotoneaster lucidus Schlecht. in the forest park area of the city of Yekaterinburg (Russia) based on population (age and vitality structure) and organismal parameters (morphometric indicators). The purpose of the study is to analyze the features of the ontogenetic and vitality structure of seven habitats of the brilliant cotoneaster Cotoneaster lucidus Schlecht in the Malo-Istoksky forest park of the city of Yekaterinburg. Plants in the habitat are presented in the form of geoxyl bush. In the Age structure, two periods have been identified - pregenerative and generative, and three ontogenetic states. All habitats are young and are in the stage of settlement, exclusively in forb pine forests with a canopy density of 0.3-0.6. The main route of penetration of the brilliant cotoneaster into the Malo-Istoksky Forest Park is artificial plantings along the paths, near equipped recreation areas. Its spread was facilitated by the presence of edible, long-lasting fruits on the shoots, which provided food for many species of birds. The established features indicate the high potential of the species and successful naturalization.


Introduction
In the flora of Russian cities, alien species account for an average of 27% [1][2].It is no coincidence that the shining cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lucidus Schlecht.)was chosen as the object of study, since it is one of the most widespread in culture; it can be found in landscaping almost everywhere both in our country and abroad [3].This type is used as a plastic material for creating artistic compositions in gardens and parks, in suburban forests.These ornamental shrubs are distinguished by their variety of habit, size, shape, branching pattern, arrangement of leaves, abundance of flowering and fruiting, and pronounced autumn color of the leaves.In the forest park area of Yekaterinburg, Cotoneaster lucidus is found as a naturalized introduced species in various forms of plantings [4].
The purpose of the study is to analyze the features of the ontogenetic and vitality structure of the brilliant cotoneaster Cotoneaster lucida Schlecht in the Malo-Istoksky forest park of Yekaterinburg.

Materials and methods
A study of Cotoneaster splendor specimens was carried out in the Malo-Istoksky Forest Park in 2022 in seven cenopopulation fragments (СPF).When studying Cotoneaster lucidus, standard methods were used [5][6][7].

Results
Malo-Istoksky Forest Park, located in the south-eastern part of the city of Yekaterinburg, created in the 50s of the last century, is one of the oldest specially protected natural areas.This is the smallest forest park located in the vicinity of the city of Yekaterinburg, it covers an area of 10.8 hectares.It has a picturesque landscape, a developed road and path network and the Malo-Istoksky pond and is one of the most visited areas, especially in the summer.The brilliant cotoneaster is distributed in twelve of the fifteen forest parks of the city of Yekaterinburg on an area of 396.8 hectares [8].In this forest park, it is found in conditions of some shading with a crown density of the tree stand from 0.3 to 0.6 exclusively in mixed-grass pine forests (Table 1).

Table 1.
Characteristics of the habitats of the brilliant cotoneaster in the Malo-Istoksky forest park of the city of Yekaterinburg.

Habitat characteristics
Fragments The maximum number was established in the forb pine forest (СPF 7) -3022 individuals per 1 ha with a tree canopy density of 0.6, and the minimum density (367 pcs./ha) -in a forb pine forest (СPF 4) with a tree stand density of 0.3.The density of individuals in habitats varies from 367 to 3022 individuals per hectare.In the Malo-Istoksky Forest Park, cotoneaster is represented by small plants 0.68-1.58m with a crown projection of 0.25-2.02m² and a volume of 0.07-1.45m³ in the form of a geoxyl bush.All fragments of cotoneaster belong to the category of slightly damaged condition and the vitality index varies from 67% to 80% (Figure 1).
As a result of the study of ontogenesis in the habitat, it was revealed that all of them are normal with an intermittent spectrum and capable of self-sustainment by seed.In the ontogenetic spectrum, two periods and three ontogenetic states were found (Figure 2).Based on the size of the representation of ontogenetic groups, one can draw a conclusion about the time of existence of the cenopopulation and the direction of its development.Thus, in all fragments of habitats, immature and virginal individuals are most numerous, therefore cotoneaster are at the stage of colonization in the forest park (Table 2, Figure 3).The presence of pregenerative individuals is typical for all habitat fragments, however, only СPFs 5 and 6 have generative individuals, the proportion of which is insignificant and varies from 3.33 to 6.67%.A left-sided spectrum with a maximum of virginal individuals in all habitats was established.When assessing the age and efficiency indices in the studied habitats, Cotoneaster showed that all fragments belong to young ones (Figure 4).

Discussion
Cotoneaster has actively invaded almost all forest parks in the city of Yekaterinburg [4].It is found exclusively as an understory species within a certain forest type as a forest microlandscape, but most often in forb and berry pine forests [8].Plantings are the main route for the penetration of brilliant cotoneaster into forest parks, which are created along paths, near equipped recreation areas.Its spread was facilitated by the presence of edible, long-lasting fruits on the shoots, which provided food for many species of birds [9].The study found that all studied habitats of Cotoneaster ucidus are normal, capable of selfsustaining by seed.In the age structure, two periods and three ontogenetic states are distinguished.When assessing the age and effectiveness of habitats, it was revealed that all of them belong to young ones.It has been established that all habitats are in the stage of settlement.This is confirmed by the predominance of the pregenerative fraction, which indicates continuous replenishment by new generations.

Conclusion
Cotoneaster lucidus Schlecht.-one of the best border plants in landscaping cities in our country and Europe.Even in trimmed hedges it is decorative and durable.Its secondary range is huge.Thanks to its edible fruits, which remain on the shoots throughout the year, it is a food source for many birds.Enzymatic treatment and scarification through the digestive tract of birds increases its germination [10].The survival strategy of cotoneaster, despite its lability, is amazing.Our research confirms active settlement in the Malo-Istoksky Forest Park.Immature individuals are found in all habitats, which indicates the high potential of the species and successful naturalization.

Table 2 .
Ontogenetic structure of fragments of cotoneaster habitats in the Malo-Istoksky forest park.