ADAPTIVE RESPONSE OF RANUNCULUS ACRIS L. TO ANTHROPOGENIC PRESSURE IN RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPES OF DIFFERENT NATURAL ZONES

Abstract

The paper examines the adaptive response of Ranunculus acris L. to anthropogenic pressure in residential landscapes of lowland and mountainous natural zones. The study is based on a comparative analysis of morpho-population traits of the species under different levels of technogenic and urban influence. The methodological framework integrates vegetative and reproductive characteristics into a system of life-effort rankings, providing a unified interpretation of life strategy types (r-, s-, and K-strategies) at the population level. The results indicate the dominance of the s-strategy in lowland residential landscapes, reflecting the species’ response to mosaic anthropogenic stress and environmental instability. In contrast, populations in mountainous areas are characterized by the prevalence of the K-strategy, associated with more stable environmental conditions and high life-effort values. Spatial comparison of integrated indicators reveals a gradient of adaptive responses of R. acris L. shaped by both natural zonation and anthropogenic factors. The proposed methodological approach represents an effective bioindication tool for residential territories, focused on detecting structural shifts in plant life strategies within transformed landscapes. The purpose of the paper is to identify the features of the adaptive response of Ranunculus acris L. to anthropogenic pressure in residential landscapes of lowland and mountainous natural zones based on the analysis of population life strategy types. Methodology. The study is based on a comparative morphopopulation analysis of vegetative and reproductive traits of R. acris L., followed by the integration of indicators into a system of life-effort rankings and life strategy types (r-, s-, and K-strategies). The interpretation of the results accounts for natural zonation and the intensity of anthropogenic impact within residential areas. Scientific novelty. The novelty of the research lies in the application of life strategy types of Ranunculus acris L. as indicators of the structural state of transformed landscapes, enabling spatial comparison of population adaptive responses across different natural zones without direct chemical measurements. Conclusions. The dominance of the s-strategy was identified in lowland residential landscapes, reflecting increased anthropogenic stress and environmental instability. In mountainous areas, the prevalence of the K-strategy combined with high life-effort levels indicates greater ecological stability. The proposed methodological framework provides an effective bioindication tool for anthropogenically transformed residential landscapes.