Achievements in the creation of the “Vegetation of Moldova” exhibition over 50 years

Abstract

A review is made of the work carried out over the course of 50 years in creating the „Vegetation of Moldova” Exhibition at the National Botanical Garden „Alexandru Ciubotaru”. From the initial plantings in 1972 until the year 2023, design, planting, and mobilization of the gene pool have been undertaken. Currently, the Moldavian present Vegetation Exhibition includes 12 micro-exhibitions of forest vegetation, 2 micro-exhibitions of meadow vegetation, 1 micro-exhibition of steppe vegetation, and 1 microexhibition of aquatic and marsh vegetation. In 2020, the exhibition area was settled, parcel divisions were elaborated, boundary markers were installed, and borders were delineated. The article presents the results of inventorying trees, tree seedlings, shrubs, and herbs for each micro-exhibition and sub-plot. Flora of the „Vegetation of Moldova” Exhibition at the National Botanical Garden „Alexandru Ciubotaru” includes 560 species of vascular plants, of which 258 species grow in 12 forest micro-exhibitions, 152 species grow in the micro-exhibition with steppe vegetation and 150 species of plants grow in meadows vegetation. For each sub-plot within the forest micro-exhibitions, data is provided on the number of specimens for each tree species, the composition of the shrub layer, and the herb layer. 61 species of rare plants are preserved ex situ, in the „Vegetation of Moldova” Exhibition in the Botanical Garden „Alexandru Ciubotaru”, of which 32 species are included in the Red Book of the Republic of Moldova.