Analysis of Successional Dynamics of a Sown Meadow using Ramenskii–Grime’s System of Ecological Strategies

Abstract

Long-term dynamics (1960–2015) of the species composition of an agrocenosis (sown meadow) in the Far North (Vorkuta district, Komi Republic) have been analyzed from the standpoint of its position in Ramenskii–Grime’s CSR system of ecological strategies. This position has been determined as the weighted average of the coordinates of individual species recorded in each year of the observation period. It has been found that the interruption of regular fertilizer application and hay harvesting leads to a decrease in ruderality score (from 0.46 to 0.29) and an increase in competitiveness score (from 0.31 to 0.46), with the most significant changes taking place after termination of the agricultural regime (complete cessation of fertilizer application and hay harvesting). As shown by analyzing the trajectory of the meadow in the CSR space, termination of economic activities in the tundra agrocenosis does not provide for an obvious recovery of the vegetation characteristic of natural tundra communities.