The paper presents research results on the current state of cenotic populations of the rare steppe species Paeonia tenuifolia L. These results were obtained by analyzing the average density, age spectra and spatial distribution of individuals. It was established that natural sozophyte populations in true steppe phytocenoses in the specially protected nature territory «Obushok» (Krynka river basin, Dubovoye settlement, Shakhtyorsky Municipal District) are complete, normal, mature systems with centered ontogenetic spectra, their maximum located in a group of middle-aged generative individuals. They have a high density of individuals distributed contagiously in space, that along with the completeness of age spectra facilitates more efficient utilization of habitat resources and maintenance of the territory occupied by the species.

Ibatulina Yu.V.