Rare plant species in Zavodska hromada (Myrhorod district, Poltava region, Ukraine)

According to our own observations, literature data and herbarium data, we compiled a list of rare plant species of Zavodska hromada (Myrhorod district, Poltava region, Ukraine) including the information on the findings of them. We have posted plant observations on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/people/igor_olshanskyi. There are two species that are included in Annex I of the Bern Convention [according to the oflcial translation into Ukrainian: https:// zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_032#Text] (Jurinea cyanoides and Salvinia natans), five species that are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (2009) (Anacamptis palustris, Astragalus dasyanthus, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Gladiolus tenuis and Salvinia natans) and eight species are rare in Poltava region (Amygdalus nana, Convallaria majalis, Inula helenium, Nymphaea alba, Sanguisorba officinalis, Utricularia vulgaris, Valeriana officinalis, Vinca minor). On the territory of Zavodska hromada, rare plant species are more common in rivers, meadows and swamps in the floodplains of the rivers Sula, Artopolot and Bodakva. Also, they grow on steppe slopes and in forests.

Collection of rare woody plants species in M. M. Gryshko National Botanical garden of NAS of Ukraine

Preservation of rare plant species in nature (in situ) is an effective method of protection and maintenance of genetic diversity, but the preservation of plants ex situ is a necessary complement in modern conditions. In the M.M. Gry- shko National Botanical Garden of NAS of Ukraine to preserve and replenish the collections of plants listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and other protection lists is defined as one of the strategic tasks of the institution. In total, the institution has collected 190 species of plants protected by the law “On the Red Book of Ukraine”.The collection of rare and en- dangered tree and shrub plants is represented by 21 species, among which: Vulnerable — 9 (43%), Rare — 7 (33%), Endangered — 4 (14%), Not Evaluated — 1 (5%). This number of species and their representativeness is not suflcient for their successful protection ex situ. There is great prospects for expanding the collection to preserve species and spread the plants to other botanical gardens and arboretums of Ukraine.

Phytorarity of Chernihiv region in M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine

Increasing anthropogenic pressure, global climate change, and the lack of large introduction centers in the Chernihiv region makes it important to preserve rare species of flora ex situ outside this administrative region. The article presents the results of the study of taxonomic composition and evaluation of the success of the introduction of rare plant species of Chernihiv region in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The study of rare plant species and the development of methods for their effective reproduction was initiated in the NBG in 1970 in a separate section “Rare plants of the flora of Ukraine.” It is established that the collection grows and protects 57 phythorarites of Chernihiv region, of which 29 species are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine (III edition), and 28 species – in the “List of regionally rare plant species of Chernihiv region”. Most plants successfully recover ex situ with moderate care or without additional human intervention. The biomorphological spectrum of introduced plants is dominated by cryptophytes (50.88 %) and hemicryptophytes (42.11 %), the shares of phanerophytes, hamephytes and therophytes are insignificant. 17 species of phythorarites formed stable homeostatic populations. Of these: 5 species are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine (Allium ursinum, Crocus reticulatus, Epipactis helleborine, Galanthus nivalis, Pulsatilla pratensis) and 12 species – in the “List of regionally rare plant species of Chernihiv region” (Aster amellus, Corydalis intermedia, C. marschal, Daphne mesereum, Equisetum hyemale, Iris hungarica, Phlomis tuberosa, Primula veris, Pteridium aquilinum, Scilla bifolia, S. sibirica, Vinca minor). Thus, the cultivation of almost a third of the phythorarites of Chernihiv region in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden testifies to the effectiveness of their preservation ex situ.

Rezervaţia peisajeră „La 33 de Vaduri”

The landscape reserve “Thirty-three Fords”, with an area of 244.7 ha, was evaluated floristically and phytocoenotically in the summer of 2011. The presence of Carpineto-Quercetum roboris forest with natural 70-100 year old stands was proved. Artificial black locust and coniferous forests occupy 38.7 %. In the valley of the Naslavcea River, the floodplain grassland vegetation persists, and on the slopes without forests – xeric grasslands. In the landscape reserve “Thirty-three Fords”, 13 rare plant species mentioned in the Environmental Legislation of the Republic of Moldova (1996-1998) were identified.

INFLUENCE OF SINGLE TREES ON FLORISTIC DIVERSITY OF STEPPE MEADOWS AND POPULATION STRUCTURE OF SOME RARE PLANT SPECIES

In the zone of broad-leaved forests of the European Russia, steppe meadows have been preserved showing rich floristic composition and making a significant contribution to the biological diversity of the territories. Bryansk oblast is one of the forest regions in Russia where such meadows are found. Here, steppe meadows with high floristic diversity and a large number of rare plant species have survived. Trees from surrounding forest areas are constantly encroaching on these meadows. Most of the young trees die from regular grass fires and economic activity. However, some individuals survive and reach a generative state, becoming relatively resistant to ground fires. The influence of single trees on the floristic diversity of steppe meadows was studied at two levels of living system organization – coenotic and population levels. Polydominant steppe meadows and polydominant steppe meadows with single generative trees were studied at the coenotic level; and coenopopulations of Iris aphylla, Anemone sylvestris, and Anthericum ramosum were studied at the population level. Collecting the material, we used different methods: geobotanical, demographic, and measurements of environmental factors (illumination, slope steepness, and the frequency of grass fires). Polydominant steppe meadows were found to be were preserved in the middle part of steep slopes unsuitable for haymaking and grazing and subjected to infrequent grass fires. These communities have high floristic diversity and stable coenopopulations of model species. Ontogenetic spectra of Anemone sylvestris, Anthericum ramosum, and Iris aphylla are of the complete left-hand type with the maximum number of individuals. Single trees (Quercus robur, Tilia cordata) have controversial influence on the vegetation of polydominant steppe meadows. On the one hand, with the introduction of trees, species diversity of communities increases. This is due to the fact that trees offer resting places and shelter for birds that spread plant diaspores. On the other hand, mature trees shade the herb cover. This leads to cover reduction and occurrence of steppe and dry meadow species, as well as affects their population structure. The ontogenetic spectrum of Anemone sylvestris is still complete, whereas that of Iris aphylla becomes incomplete, and the spectrum of Anthericum ramosum becomes unfinished.