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Background. Comparison of ontogenetic indicators of local populations of the yellow flax plant Linum flavum L., rare for the Penza region, was aimed at assessing their current state as the basis for further monitoring and development of measures to protect the species to preserve the biodiversity of the Penza region. Materials and methods. Under the conditions of the protection regime (the natural monument “Urochische Cherdak”) and in the conditions of the restoration of steppe communities on fallow land (the Ukhtinsky steppes tract), the density, numbers, and ontogenetic structure of local populations of yellow flax were studied, as well as the phytocenotic location of the species and its contribution to the structure of communities at different stages restorative succession. Results. In the studied communities of true and meadow steppes, steppe and true meadows, Linum flavum forms a caudex facultative- root-sprouting biomorph. Shows traits of explerence. When the vegetation cover is highly dense, it acts as an assectator with a projective cover of 2–4 %; populations have a low density (2.5 pcs/m2). In disturbed communities it dominates and co-dominates (projective cover 20–25%), increasing the density by an order of magnitude due to individuals of the pregenerative period. Ontogenetic spectra in both cases are two-peaked – with a maximum in juvenile and generative individuals; in weakly disturbed communities, the main contribution to the structure is made by mature and old generative individuals, and in fallows – by juvenile individuals (populations according to the “Δ – ω” classification are transitional and young, respectively). Conclusions. The current state of both local populations is stable. To preserve the population of Linum flavum and other rare species (Salvia verticillata, Senecio schvetzovii, Aster amellus, Gypsophila altissima) in the vicinity of the village. In Ukhtinka village it is rational to limit economic activity by organizing the natural monument “Ukhtinskiye stepi”.

Background. Herminium monorchis (L.) R. Br. – rare species of the Orchid family, included in the Red Book of Penza region. Monitoring of the cenopopulation of the species on the Olshansky solonetz is necessary to assess the current state and forecast in order to preserve it. Materials and methods. H. monorchis develops on soils of varying degrees of salinity in the composition of meadows of different types on the Olshanskiy solonetz. In 2013, 2021, 2023 geobotanical descriptions were made, the ontogenetic structure was studied, and the ecological density of the cenopopulation, the Δ and ω indices were determined. Results. The area of the H. monorchis cenopopulation on the Olshanskiy solonetz has not decreased over 10 years of observations. The species is confined to associations of saline and steppe meadows formed by Centaurea jacea, Equisetum arvense, Inula salicina, Senecio schvetzovii, Ononis arvensi, Calamagrostis epigeios, Thalictrum simplex. At low salinity, H. monorchis plays the role of an assector in them. With an increase in the degree of salinity, its participation in the composition of plant communities increases – it becomes a co-dominant and dominant. The ecological density of the cenopopulation is very high, increasing with increasing salt content. Population is normal. Ontogenetic spectra in 2013 are righthanded, with a predominance of generative individuals, in 2023 they are bimodal with a maximum on generative ones on immature plants. Self-maintenance of the population occurs mainly due to vegetative reproduction, which ensures the rejuvenation of individuals to the immature age state, and to a lesser extent by seed (a low proportion of juvenile individuals). A high renewability index indicates the stability of the population due to efficient reproduction. Indices of age and efficiency are typical for maturing and mature populations. Among the generative individuals, plants of reduced and low vitality predominate due to the toxic effect of salts. The life form of a vegetative annual allows the species to increase its competitiveness in saline conditions compared to other meadow grasses. Conclusions. The condition of the H. monorchis cenopopulation at the Olshanskiy solonetz is relatively favorable. Further monitoring of the state of the cenopopulation should be continued in order to timely identify possible adverse changes.

Background. The study describes 20-year experience of introducing into cultivation and studying 40 protected plant species listed in the Red Book of Ryazan region (2002, 2011, 2021). 4 of them are protected at the federal level (2008): Stipa pennata, Fritillaria ruthenica, Iris aphylla, Cotoneaster alaunicus. The purpose of the work is to correct the list of protected species, their rarity categories, essays in the third edition of the regional Red Book (2021), and clarify their types of life strategy basing on the study of their ontogenesis, annual cycles, behavior of selected plant species in natural habitats and under cultural conditions. Materials and methods. The experiments were carried out on the plots of the biostation of the Russian State University named after S.A. Yesenin (Ryazan) and on an experimental site in a small forest village in the north of the Ryazan region (Kasimovsky district). Results. The studies allowed us to exclude 6 species from the protected in the region: Anemone sylvestris, Corydalis marschalliana, Cerasus fruticosa, Potentilla recta, Astragalus arenarius, Veronica jacquinii, to update the rarity category of 16 protected species (Red Book, 2021). Most of the considered species belong to the forest-steppe floristic complex, implement the life strategy of patients, some species are characterized as violents. It is shown that the rarity of some species in Ryazan region is associated with the anthropogenic transformation of natural communities and with a change in the land use: a number of patients are found in regularly disturbed places (Astragalus arenarius), others began to restore their numbers after breaking of grazing and haymaking use (Serratula coronata). Conclusions. 20-year observations have shown that most of the studied forest-steppe species can successfully go through all stages of ontogenesis in culture. The soil is the main limiting factor for some of them, mostly for the patients needing in a carbonate or sandy soil. Deep study of the ontogenesis and life strategies provided an important information for understanding the reasons for the rarity and vulnerability of species. Not all rare species need in special protection measures and deserve to be included in the regional Red Data Book.

Background. Results of studies of the natural monument of the Ivanovo region "Ozerki. Rusaloch’i lakes" are presented. The study of lakes of karst origin is topical, since these lakes are important for protection as indicators of the ecological state of the territories. The aim of the studies was to describe the main morphometric parameters of two karst lakes in the Shuisky district of the Ivanovo region, to study the characteristics of flora and vegetation, to identify rare species and dynamic trends. Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in 2018–2022. Depths were measured, digital elevation models of the lake bottom were compiled using GIS and spatial analysis technologies. Floristic studies were carried out by the traditional route-reconnaissance method, special attention was paid to rare species of vascular plants and a description of the state of their populations. Results. As a result of the research, limnological indicators were characterized, the genesis of lake basins was determined, and bathymetric schemes were given. The flora and vegetation of this protected area are briefly characterized. By 2023, there are 257 species of vascular plants, belonging to 5 divisions, 6 classes, 64 families and 173 genera, as well as 11 species of mosses. 7 species of vascular plants are included into the Red Data Book of the Ivanovo region, 23 are rare and need protection. The state of populations and trends in the dynamics of rare plants are briefly characterized. Examples of spreading invasive plant species are given. Conclusions. The obtained results of field research were used in compiling the passport of this protected area.

The importance and significance of the conservation of the Emerald Object “The lower part of the Uda River Valley” (UA0000295) in botanical and general ecological aspects is discussed in detail. It is located on the outskirts of Kharkiv with an area of 13,381.0 ha. The studied area combines floodplains of regions occupied by meadows, shrub fragments and forest vegetation, and pine forests with artificial pine plantations. Areas of the loess plateau with arable land and deciduous forests, as well. List of the leading plant species, area's, main ecological and biotic features of identified habitats under Resolution 4 of the Berne Convention, in particular, C1.222, C1.32, C1.33, C3.34, D5.2, E1.2, E2.2, E3.4, F9.1, F3.247, G1.11, G1.21, G1.41, G1.8, G3.4232, G1.A4, G1.A1 for the Emerald Object are presented. The largest areas are occupied by biotops of lowland bogs with sedge and reed thickets without stagnant water (D5.2). There are plain hay fields (E2.2) and wet and moist meadows with a predominance of grasslands (E3.4) and deciduous forests in medium rich and rich soils (G1.A1), fresh and dry forests, and Sarmatian-type forests (G3.4232). The typological diversity of the forest of the territory, the area covered with forest vegetation is 11,585.0 ha, were outlined. Oak (Quercus robur L.) (8,091.5 ha, 69.83%) with a predominance in its plantations of fresh maple-linden oak and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) (2,529.8 ha, 21.84%) with a predominance of fresh oak-pine sedge are the main forest-forming species. Some species have appropriate conservation status in Ukraine (Botrychium lunaria (L.) SW., Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soo s.l., Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz, Anacamptis coriophora (L.) R.M. Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W. Chase (Orchis coriophora L.), A. palustris (Jacq.) R.M. Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W. Chase (Orchis palustris Jacq.), and several species are protected at the regional level (Centaurium erythraea Rafn., C. pulchellum (Sw.) Druce, Dianthus stenocalyx Juz., Inula helenium L., Iris pseudacorus L., Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim., Caltha palustris L., Geum rivale L., Parnassia palustris L., Sanguisorba officinalis L., Valeriana officinalis L.)

The results of the research on tracing crop wild relatives in the territory of Priazovsky State Natural Reserve are presented. Specific composition of these plants, their habitats, ecological characteristics, the rank of affinity with cultivated plants, and their economic value have been studied. The possibility of conserving priority plant species within natural plant communities is discussed.

The ecological and physiological features of some rare psammophilous plant species of Armenia, included in the Red Book of the RA, Calligonum polygonoides, Astragalus paradoxus and Scorzonera gorovanica have been investigated. As a result of the studies, it was found that the above-mentioned species in the conditions of the Yerevan Botanical Garden showed higher indexes of the water regime and the intensity of photosynthesis and transpiration in comparison with samples from “Gorovan Sands” sanctuary. Each of the studied species has adapted to the current conditions of existence and has occupied a certain ecological niche, using its mechanisms for regulating the water regime, the intensity of transpiration and photosynthesis for this purpose. However, all these species have a certain ecological plasticity, which allowed them to adapt to new, different conditions in the Yerevan Botanical Garden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the preservation of individual species and entire ecosystems is an urgent problem. It is obvious that there is a necessity to establish areas of great importance for endangered species, their habitats and plant diversity in general.The purpose of this study is to reveal Key Plant Areas in the central part of Orel Region including 9 administrative districts. In 2016 for the first time the research of the flora of this territory was conducted with the help of grid mapping method. The studied territory was included into 95 cells, the area of which was from 101 square kilometers in the north of the region, to 108.2 square kilometers in the south.Basing on the analysis of the floristic and geobotanical data obtained as aresult of field research in 2016, 55 Key Plant Areas of the central part of Orel Region were identified in the MapInfo GIS. The most widely represented territories among the 55 revealed ones are the areas with prevailing natural vegetation of the zonal type: meadow-steppe (34.6 %), forest (23.6 %), forest-steppe (34.6 %), and a small part of the allocated territories (7.2 %) is intrazonal types of vegetation – wetlands (3.6 %) and flood meadows (3.6 %).Among the identified 55 Key Plant Areas there are six nature monuments: one hydrological and five botanical. In the allocated territories, seventy-one new locations of 15 species of vascular plants mentioned in the Red Book of Orel Region (2007) have been found.

Objective – to assess the success of the introduction of rare plant species in the meadow-steppe culturphytocenosis on the botanical-geographical plot “Steppes of Ukraine” in M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine; to establish the ability of rare plant species in the meadow-steppe culturphytocenoses to introduce flowering, fruiting, reproduction and the formation of introduction populations. Material and methods. Evaluation of the success of the introduction of 40 rare plant species was carried out in 2015–2019 on the Wulfe–Bazilevskaya scale. Results. It established that I degree of success of the introduction have 16 (40.0 %) species, II degree – 16 (40.0 %), III degree – 3 (7.5 %), IV degree – 4 (10.0 %), V degree – 1 (2.5 %). Species with I–II degree (80 %) formed stable homeostatic introduction coenopopulations, species with III–V degree (20 %) did not form coenopopulations. Conclusions. By assessing the success of the introduction of 40 rare plant species in the meadow-steppe culturphytocenosis, 32 of them (80 %) were able to form stable homeostatic introduction cenopopulations. This indicates a strong phytocenotic position of rare species and efficiency of their conservation and ex situ protection.

There are two rare orchids Platanthera bifolia (L.) Rich. and Platanthera chlorantha (Cust.) Reichenb. in the Smolensk Lakeland National Park . The main goal of our study was assessment of populations’ status and survival trends. We described habitat conditions, population size dynamics and ontogenetic structure dynamics. P. bifolia populations have large quantity, complete age structure and survival trend is stable. P. chlorantha has only one population, that is sustainable, but has low number of plants and needs monitoring and protection.

Objective – to identify the plant species of the Red Book of Ukraine and the official list of rare plants of the Chernigiv Region in the flora of dendropark Trostjanets, the autphytosozologyсal characteristic and clarification of the nature of distribution on the territory of the dendropark. Material and methods. The object of investigation were species of the Red Book of Ukraine and official list of rare plants of the Chernigiv Region. The list of rare species is based on inventory date of 2005–2012. Results. There are 23 species of rare plants (10 tree and 13 herbaceous species), 10 species of which are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, 10 – in the list of rare plants of the Chernihiv Region, 3 – in the Red Book of Ukraine and the list of regionally rare plants. Species of flora of the dendropark, listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, have such nature protection categories: endangered species – 3 (Hedysarum ucraіnіcum Kaschm., Spiraea polonica Blocki, Tіlіa dasystyla Steven), vulnerable – 5 (Euonymus nana Beeb., Festuca heterophylla Lam., Juniperus excelsa M.Bied., Pinus cembra L., Taxus baccata L.), rare – Betula obscura A. Kotula, unvalued – 4 species (Adonis vernalis L., Carex umbrosa Host, Galanthus nіvalіs L., Glycyrrhіza glabra L.). Conclusion. On the territory of the dendropark 14 species have unique locality (Adonis vernalis, Juniperus excelsa, Galanthus nivalis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hypericum montanum L., Hedysarum ucrainicum, Potentilla alba L., Centaurium erythraea Rafn, Scilla bіfolia L ., Carex lіmosa L., Tіlіa dasystyla, Spіraea polonіca, Cerasus frutіcosa Pall. and Euonymus nana). Rare species are Alnus іncana (L.) Moench, Anemone sylvestrіs L., Betula obscura, Carex umbrosa, Fragarіa moschata Duch., Pinus cembra, Taxus baccata, often – Junipers communis L., everywhere – Festuca heterophylla.

More than two centuries ago the Kremenets Botanical Garden started scientifically based plant introduction, including a large group of rare species. The authors’ task is to make a comprehensive analysis of the rare plants collection of the Kremenets Botanical Garden and to exclude perspective species for their use in the reintroduction in order to support the quantity of destructive and formation of duplicating populations of rare and endangered species within their natural habitat. The rare plants collection includes 140 species of different conservation status, of which 40 are known in the Kreme nets Mountains’ flora. Groups of plants growing in the collection have different ecomorphs with the predominant share of sun-loving mesophytes represented mainly by perennial grasses typical of meadow and meadow- steppe communities. Due to the results of the research introduced species from perspective and particularly perspective groups are excluded. The key figures of their life condition indicate success of the introduction. Perspective and particularly perspective species, which by origin are representatives of the Kremenets Mountains’ flora, is valuable potential material for reintroductive studies in natural biocenoses.