Phytosociology, ecology and conservation status of Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka on its northern distribution limit (Poland and Ukraine).

This paper is focused on phytosociological and ecological peculiarities of the vulnerable species Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka in Ukraine and Poland at the northern distribution limit of the species. Based on the analysis of 86 relevés, we recognised three associations within Festuco-Brometea class in which Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka occurs. We also revealed an ecological differencies between habitats of the species using Didukh's phytoindication scale. It was concluded that the limited factors of Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka distribution are soil humidity, carbonate content and thermal climate. The assessment of ecological amplitude of Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka shows that the most vulnerable are the habitats in the Southern Podillia (Ukraine), at the eastern limit of the total range. It has been revised the carbonate content indices for Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka species and has been proposed new ecological amplitude according to our results. We propose to restore the C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka habitats using grassland management measures within Emerald and Natura 2000 sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]