Key to the Life Forms of Higher Plants in the Vologda Region (Russia). Part 2. Ch. Raunkiaer's Method and System
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52575/2712-9047-2026-8-2-234-244Keywords:
polytomous key, higher plants, biological types, life forms, Christen Raunkiaer, Vologda RegionAbstract
The paper presents a guide to the life forms of higher plants in the Vologda region developed as a polytotomous key to the classification of biomorphs within the framework of Christen Raunkiaer's approach. It covers the region's broad taxonomic phytodiversity, including gymnosperms and angiosperms, as well as ferns, horsetails, club mosses, and bryophytes of both native and alien origin. The guide characterizes phanerophytes, chamaephytes, hemicryptophytes, cryptophytes, therophytes, lianas, epiphytes, errants, saprophytes, hemiparasites, and parasites. A total of 35 life forms are proposed for use, each of which can be described in more detail using additional terms following the corresponding section of the key. These terms also make it possible to further distinguish new, more specific forms from the proposed ones, either dichotomously or polytomously. The flexibility of the key also allows expanding its applicability from the territory of the Vologda Region to adjacent regions and the entire European North of Russia as a whole, which will positively affect the possibilities for comparative analysis of local, partial, or regional floras. The guide has been developed taking into account the expected level and potential capabilities of general botanists and ecologists (those who do not specialize in biomorphology) and is designed for use both in field and laboratory (cameral) conditions.
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