Аннотация
This study presents a comparative analysis of soil characteristics in three populations of the rare subalpine plant Trollius dschungaricus occurring in the Northern Tien Shan (Ketpen and Saty ridges).The aim was to identify the soil factors that influence the distribution and resilience of species under differing geo-ecological conditions.The examined soils are classified as mountain-meadow subalpine and sod-clayey subalpine types.A morphological description of the soil profile was conducted alongside chemical and particle-size analyses.The humus horizon thickness ranges from 32 to 40 cm, with humus content between 3.06 and 8.82%.The soil solution is mainly neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 7.0-8.0);available phosphorus and potassium fall within medium to high supply levels.The most humus-rich soils with the highest cation-exchange capacity are found on the Saty ridge, whereas the soils of the Ketpen ridge exhibit better drainage properties and a lower tendency toward compaction.All soils display weak carbonation, lack easily soluble salts, and show a propensity for surface horizon slaking under excessive moisture due to high silt and fine-dust fractions.These findings allow an assessment of the ecological capacity of the study sites and provide recommendations for conserving the T. dschungaricus habitats amid increasing anthropogenic pressure.