Use of symmetry theory in studying the morphogenesis of life forms: the example of the cushion plants

Abstract

It is well known that life forms reflect the impact of the environment. An interesting task in ecology is to study the connection between the morphological characteristics of life forms and physical and geographical processes, taking place in the environment. This study may profit from the application of symmetry theory which is a universal methodology in science. According to this theory both the object, that is, life form, and the environment are characterised by their own types of symmetry, which may differ from each other. If the environment acts sufficiently intensively on a plant, its form may show deformations – dissymmetry according to Curie. From the observed dissymmetry character of the vegetation it is possible to judge the symmetry of the environment, its specific impact on the vegetation, and the direction and intensity of natural matter and energy flows. All these are clearly apparent in the cushion plants growing on the abrupt slopes of south‐east Altay canyons.

Keywords:

• Symmetry
• Dissymmetry
• Morphology
• Life forms
• Cushion plants