PECULIARITIES OF THE FLORISTIC COMPOSITION AND CHARACTER OF OVERGROWTH OF SMALL NON-FLOWING LAKES OF NARACH LAKE GROUP (BELARUS)

The flora of small non-flowing lakes of the Narach lake group located on the territory of the Narachanski National Park (Belarus, Minsk region, Myadelsky district) was studied. The taxonomic composition of the flora numbering 126 species of vascular plants belonging to 85 genera from 42 families was revealed. Three plant species which are included in the list of protected taxa in Belarus were found – Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. (Lake Shestakovo), Aldrovanda vesiculosa L. (Lake Shestakovo) and Isoëtes lacustris L. (Lake Beloe). Based on the annotated list of species presented in the work, taxonomic, geographical, ecological-coenotic and ecobiomorphological analyzes of the flora of water bodies were performed. According to the taxonomic and environmental structure, the flora of the studied lakes is shown to be traditional for this territory. The differences in the flora of the studied lakes are mainly due to their trophic status and, to a lesser extent, due to the diversity of biotopes and the nature of the anthropogenic load. Information on the nature of overgrowing of these water bodies is provided.

Genome Size Diversity in Rare, Endangered, and Protected Orchids in Poland

Orchidaceae is one of the largest and the most widespread plant families with many species threatened with extinction. However, only about 1.5% of orchids’ genome sizes have been known so far. The aim of this study was to estimate the genome size of 15 species and one infraspecific taxon of endangered and protected orchids growing wild in Poland to assess their variability and develop additional criterion useful in orchid species identification and characterization. Flow cytometric genome size estimation revealed that investigated orchid species possessed intermediate, large, and very large genomes. The smallest 2C DNA content possessed Liparis loeselii (14.15 pg), while the largest Cypripedium calceolus (82.10 pg). It was confirmed that the genome size is characteristic to the subfamily. Additionally, for four species Epipactis albensis, Ophrys insectifera, Orchis mascula, Orchis militaris and one infraspecific taxon, Epipactis purpurata f. chlorophylla the 2C DNA content has been estimated for the first time. Genome size estimation by flow cytometry proved to be a useful auxiliary method for quick orchid species identification and characterization.

Autphytososological characteristics of sand terraces of the Dnipro-Karan valley complex (Middle Dnipro)

A study of the state of preservation of a rare component of the flora of the site on the left bank of the middle reaches of the Dnipro River with an area of 19036,5 hectares, which is the object of the Emerald Network UA0000337 «Divychky». It is proposed to create within this national nature park. Vegetation is represented by meadow-swamp, forest-shrub-swamp and forest biotopes. There are four types of localities are dominant: shallow water areas of ancient lakes and coastal shallow waters with aquatic and coastal-aquatic vegetation; flooded segments of terraced and cavity depressions of the pine terrace with a complex of shrub-forest-meadow-swamp vegetation; lowland plain and slightly hilly segments of the pine terrace with medium-rich fresh sod-podzolic soils with oak and oak groves; uplift segments of aeolian origin with dry poorly formed soils and sands with dry forests, pine forests and psammophilous wastelands. Currently, it can be stated that 6 sozophyte species of international, 13 national and 7 regional significance are growing in the territory of the valley complex of sand terraces Dnipro-Karan. Among the protected species of European importance are populations of 6 species: Iris hungarica, Jurinea cyanoides, Ostericum palustre, Salvinia natans, Liparis loeselii, Trapa natans (the three last belong also to the Red Data Book of Ukraine). Moreover, 10 populations of species from the Red Data Book of Ukraine are registered on the mentioned area: Dactylorhiza incarnata, Daphne cneorum, Epipactis helleborine, E. palustris, Lycopodiellainundata,Lilium martagon, Neottianidus-avis, Platanthera bifolia, Pulsatilla pratensis and Stipa borysthenica.Populations of 14 sozophyte species are represented by many localities with a high number of individuals and good indicators of the reproductive process; 6 species represent poorly due to the small number of localities and low number of individuals in populations; for populations of 3 sozophyte species (Liparis loeselii, Lycopodiella inundata, Dryopteris cristata) there is a danger of extinction due to the fact that only a few localities with a small number of individuals were found. The current state of the landscape complex of this area determines the high probability of growth of some species of sozophytes, which makes further research relevant. Виконано дослідження стану збереженості раритетної компоненти флори ділянки на лівому березі середньої течії Дніпра площею 19036,5 га, що є об’єктом Смарагдової мережі UA0000337 «Дівички» та пропонується до створення в цих межах національного природного парку. Рослинність представлена лучно-болотними, лісо-чагарниково-болотними та лісовими угрупованнями. У ландшафтно-генетичному відношенні панівними є чотири типи місцевостей: мілководні акваторії давньостаричних озерець та прибережні мілководдя із водною та прибережно-водною рослинністю; підтоплені сегменти притерасних та западинних знижень борової тераси із комплексом чагарниково-лісо-лучно-болотної рослинності; знижених рівнинних та слабопогорбованих сегментів борової тераси із середньобагатими свіжими дерново-підзолистими ґрунтами із суборами та дібровами; сегменти піднять еолового походження із сухими слабосформованими ґрунтами та пісками із сухими борами, сосновими рідколіссями та псамофільними пустошами. Станом на сьогодні, на даному етапі дослідження флори території долинного комплексу піщаних терас Дніпро-Карань можна стверджувати про зростання тут 6 видів-созофітів міжнародного, 13 загальнодержавного та 7 регіонального значення. Із числа охоронюваних видів загальноєвропейського значення виявлені популяції 6 видів: Irishungarica, Jurineacyanoides, Ostericumpalustre, Salvinianatans, Liparisloeselii, Trapanatans (три останні занесені також до Червоної книги України). Окрім цього, на вказаній території зареєстровано популяції ще 10 видів судинних рослин із Червоної книги України, а саме: Dactylorhiza incarnata,Daphne cneorum, Epipactis helleborine, E. palustris, Lycopodiella inundata, Lilium martagon, Neottianidus-avis, Platanthera bifolia, Pulsatilla pratensisта Stipa borysthenica. Популяції 14 видів-созофітів представлені багатьма локалітетами із високою чисельністю особин та хорошими показниками репродуктивного процесу; 6 видів мають слабку представленість через незначну кількість самих локалітетів та низьку чисельність особин в популяціях; для популяцій 3 созофітів (Liparis loeselii, Lycopodiella inundata, Dryopteris cristata) існує небезпека зникнення у зв’язку із тим, що виявлені лише поодинокі локалітети із незначною чисельністю особин. Зважаючи на сучасний стан та розташування ландшафтного комплексу даної території є досить йомвірним зростання тут ще цілої низки видів-созофітів, що робить актуальним подальше її дослідження.

Characteristics of Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. populations in selected Natura 2000 areas in eastern Poland

In view of the sensitivity of Liparis loeselii to changes in habitat conditions, we carried out a study with the aim to monitor population numbers, identify the individual features of the Liparis loeselii population, analyse habitat conditions, identify threats and propose conservation measures to preserve the species. The investigations were conducted in seven unmanaged objects located in three Natura 2000 areas in eastern Poland. The results of this study provide a new insight into Liparis loeselii ecology. The analysed populations inhabited some habitat types: extremely poor fen, transitional mire, rich fen, calcareous fen, spring-fed fen. The content of nutrients was similar in all the habitats. A CCA analysis revealed that the total carbon content, pH, and redox potential of the substrate determine differences between the habitats analysed. Juvenile individuals represented a maximum of 12% of the analysed populations and were the least abundant group of these plants. The flowering was primarily influenced by hydrological conditions. Based on the long-term observations reported in this article, it can be assumed that the species stands a chance of surviving at the localities analysed, provided that the habitat conditions do not change dramatically.

Application of the LUminometric Methylatoion Assay for plant ecological researches: the study of global DNA methylation in leaves of Elodea canadensis under laboratory conditions and in leaves of fen orchid from wild populations

The epigenetic changes in the genome of plants are one of the important regulatory mechanisms in response to the environmental factors. The LUminometric Methylation Assay (LUMA) requires a relatively small DNA amount, a short processing time and is easily adapted for species with a non-resolved genome. The LUMA has not been previously used for ecological research of plants. In this research, LUMA was used for the first time to investigate the changes of global DNA methylation under different environmental factors in the leaves of different plants. The influence of salinity on global DNA methylation was studied on aquatic macrophyte Elodea canadensis Michx, which grew in aquatic tanks under different NaCl concentrations. After the third week of growth, the HpaII/MspI ratio was measured by LUMA and global DNA methylation percentages were calculated. The results showed salt stress-induced changes in the global DNA methylation level in E.canadensis leaves, compared to control. The response was salt dose-dependent. The changes of global DNA methylation in wildlife plant populations were analogically assessed on fen orchid Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich. It was shown that global DNA methylation level was higher in leaves of these plants in Engure Lake, where there are temporary changes in water regime, compared to leaves of plants from other places. It was assumed that global GC-DNA methylation plays an essential role in the survival of this plant. Therefore, we show the possibilities of using the LUMA method for epigenetic study of different plants ecological researches.

Rare and protected species of flora of wetlands places of the Kharkiv region (Ukraine)

The article presents the results of the research of rare and protected species of wetlands places flora of the Kharkiv region. According to the field studies results, literary sources analysis and materials of the CWU and KW herbarium, it has been established that at least 225 species of vascular plants are present in the flora of wetlands places. The annotated list of rare and protected species of flora of wetlands places in the region has been made. It contains 41 species. For each species, the status of protection is defined. 32 species are identified as insufficiently studied and requiring detailed research and estimation of their sozological significance, in order to determine the need for their protection at the regional level. In total, 15 species from the identified are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine: Lycopodiella inudata (L.) (Holub); Drosera anglica Huds.; Cirsium heterophyllum (L.) Hill; Caldesia parnassifolia (L). Parl.; Fritillaria meleagroides Patrin ex Schult. et Schul. fil.; Fritillaria meleagris L.; Anacamptis coriophora (L.) R.M.Bateman; Anacamptis palustris (Jacq.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase; Dactylorchiza fuchsii (Druce) Soo; Dactylorchiza incarnata (L.) Soo; Dactylorchiza majalis (Reichenb.) P.F.Hunt et Summer.; Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz; Hammarbya paludosa (L.) O.Kuntze); Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich.; Scheuchzeria palustris L. 26 species are from the List of plant species which need the special protection in the territory of the Kharkiv region. One species is endemic (Rorippa brachycarpa (C.A.Mey) Hayek), one species is the tertiary relic (Caldesia parnassifolia (L.) Parl.). Five species of wetlands places flora (Anacamptis coriophora (L.) R.M.Bateman; Anacamptis palustris (Jacq.) R.M.Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W.Chase; Dactylorchiza fuchsii (Druce) Soo; Dactylorchiza majalis (Reichenb.) P.F.Hunt et Summer.; Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich.) are listed in the CITES; three species (Dactylorchiza incarnata (L.) Soo; Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz.; Hammarbya paludosa (L.) O.Kuntze) are listed in the CITES Appendix ІІ. Two species (Caldesia parnassifolia (L.) Parl., Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich.) are listed in the Annex I of the Berne Convention. Communities of Glycerieta arundinaceae are listed in the Green Book of Ukraine. Six associations and formations are rare plant communities of the Green list of the Kharkiv region. It has been established that in total under the protection are 41 species of vascular plants of wetlands places flora that is 18.2% of the total number of species attributed to this ecological group, or 3.2% of the total Kharkiv region flora.

Genetic Diversity of Liparis loeselii in Latvia

According to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, 75% of endangered species should be preserved in ex situ collections till 2020. The genus Liparis has a lot of recognised taxons, but only one species, Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich., grows in Europe. L. loeselii is a rare and endangered orchid species occurring in Europe. In Latvia L. loeselii is classified as the third category of endangered and protected species. To develop the best conservation strategy, the knowledge concerning the genetic differences of protected plants in a particular area is crucial. For this purpose, the genetic diversity of L. loeselii populations from different Latvian habitats was tested. The inter-retrotransposon amplified polymorphism method (iPBS) was used for population genetic diversity evolution. In total, 54 accessions from nine habitats were collected and analysed. L. loeselii leaves have a high content of phenols that reduce the quality of extracted DNA. It was found that the percentage of polymorph loci varied among the populations of L. loeselii growing in different habitats; some of the populations were genetically homogeneous. The genetic diversity levels of L. loeselii populations are related with the population age and the growing conditions.

Флористичні особливості гідрологічного заказника місцевого значення «Оріхівський» Ратнівського району Волинської області

У статті проаналізовано флору гідрологічного заказника місцевого значення «Оріхівський» Ратнівського району Волинської області. Основним завданням роботи було встановлення сучасного стану флористичного та фітоценотичного різноманіття гідрологічного заказника місцевого значення «Оріхівський» і виявлення на його території рідкісних та зникаючих видів флори, занесених до Червоної книги України й інших природоохоронних документів. У статті проаналiзовано аспекти становлення та розвитку флористичних досліджень заказника, подано опис фітоценотичного різноманіття. На території заказника виявлено види з Європейського червоного списку: Crataegus uсrainica Pojark., Silene lithuanica Zapał. Tragopogon ucrainicus Artemcz.; види, занесені до Додатка № 1 Бернської конвенції: Aldrovanda vesiculosa L, Cypripedium calceolus L. Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich, Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill.; види з Червоної книги України: три зникаючі, п’ять вразливих, шість рідкісних видів на території, серед зникаючих видів потрібно відзначити Huperzia selago, Oxycoccus microcarpus, Scheuchzeria palustris, із-поміж вразливих – Cephalanthera rubra (L.), Drosera anglica Huds, Epipactis helleborine (L.) O. Kuntze, Lilium martagon L., Lycopodiella inundata (L.) Holub., серед рідкісних – Betula humilis Schrank, Listera ovata (L.) R.Br., Neottia nidus-avis (L.) Rich., Platanthera bifolia (L.) Rich., Salix myrtilloides L., Salix starkeana Willd.

НОВЫЕ ДАННЫЕ О РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИИ ВИДОВ СЕМЕЙСТВА ORCHIDACEAE ДЛЯ НЕКОТОРЫХ РЕГИОНОВ РОССИИ, "Ботанический журнал"

В ходе работ по картированию орхидных России нами впервые был выявлен ряд видов в некоторых регионах России. Приводятся данные об обнаружении Cephalanthera longifolia в Ульяновской обл., Dactylorhiza aristata и D. incarnata в Приморском крае, D. sibirica в Сахалинской обл., Liparis loeselii в Республике Коми, Platanthera bifolia в Якутии и Туве. Также мы приводим информацию о гербарных материалах, подтверждающих произрастание Dactylorhiza baltica в Архангельской обл. и Platanthera chlorantha в Чувашии и документируем современное произрастание последнего вида во Владимирской обл. Кроме того, приводится ряд новых, но сомнительных указаний орхидных, основанных, вероятно, на некорректно этикетированном материале.