| Summary: | Background. In recent centuries on the East European Plain massive degeneration
of oak forests has been in progress. This is caused by a complex of climatic and anthropogenic
factors. Since Quercus robur L. is a key species it seems to be necessary to
research comprehensively its individuals and populations at different levels including the
aspects of modern biomorphology. The purpose of the study is quantitative and structural
analysis of crown organization of reproductive individuals of Q. robur within the Voroninsky
nature reserve and its security zone. Materials and methods. The crowns of 335
young and middle-aged reproductive individuals in upland watershed, slope and terrace
landscapes of the reserve have been analyzed. We measured meanings of morphometric
parameters of individuals, determined its life forms and described a set of elements of architectural
models, hierarchic to polyarchic organization plan ratio and expression of reiteration
within an individual’s crown. Results. The tallest individuals of Q. robur grow in
dense canopy stands on the upland watersheds. The lowest and at the same time the most
spread individuals grow in the margins of oakeries and in the sparse oakeries on the slopes.
In all habitats the Rauh architectural model-based individuals belonging to the one trunk
life forms prevail. Besides in the studied individuals the elements of Troll, Leeuwenberg
and Koriba architectural models were detected. In most individuals with aging trunk is replacing
with systems of daughter axes having various growth directions. The processes of
immediate reiteration contribute significantly to crowns. Conclusions. In all habitats of the
Voroninsky nature reserve individuals of Q. robur reach a high level of crown plasticity
when get established in middle-age reproductive ontogenetic state. Such level is realized
mainly due to enhancement of polyarchic organization plan of crown. This points to the
species’ wide adaptive possibilities in terms of the Western Volga upland forest-steppe.
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