CENCHRUS LONGISPINUS (HACK.) FERNALD ON ANTHROPOGENICLY TRANSFORMED AREAS OF THE DNIESTER DISTRICT

Abstract

During the study of flora of ecotopes of the railway tracks of the Dniester embankment, 14 localities of the North American species Cenchrus longispinus were identified. On the sand the plants are better developed, have more lateral shoots. On crushed stone substrate, especially in the interrail space of the railway, plants are low – 7 (10) cm high. In addition, Cenchrus longispinus on the Dniester embankment was found in areas where no radical transformation of the ecotope (beach) is detected. Problem. The adventive species Cenchrus longispinus (Hack.) Fernald in Ukraine is at the expansion stage. It poses significant potential threat to the environment due to stress tolerance, wide ecological amplitude, high degree of naturalization, significant coenotic activity and so on. Much attention is now being paid to the study of the conditions for the emergence and naturalization of new adventitious species, especially quarantine ones. Cenchrus longispinus originates from North America and is distributed with grain bulks. The species has spread to many countries - it has been found in South Africa, India, Moldova, Russia, in a number of European countries. Навести яких. In Ukraine, the species was first detected in the southern regions. It is a kenophyte, agrio-epecophyte and belongs to the quarantine organisms that are partially distributed in Ukraine (A-2). In the ecological sense, the species prefers arid soil conditions. It is a heliophyte, in ecological and coenotic terms - a psammophyte. Most of its populations are concentrated in anthropogenic ecotopes. Methods. In the summer of 2021, anthropogenically transformed areas of the Dniester embankment were surveyed by a route method. The flora of the railway tracks between the railway stations Karolinа-Bugas and Sonyachna was studied. Results. 14 localities of Cenchrus longispinus were identified. Their coordinates are given in the publication. Plants are mostly localized in areas of unauthorized or organised pedestrian crossings over railway tracks. The substrate is crushed stone of railway tracks or adjacent sandy soil. Conclusions. On sand plants, by sight, are better developed, have more lateral shoots, are higher. On the crushed stone substrate of railway tracks, especially in the interrail space, the plants are low - 7 (10) cm high. Specimens on both types of substrate, even those that undergo moderate and severe mechanical damage by pedestrians, possess a significant number of grown additional shoots. Almost all shoots have developed fruit. Cenchrus longispinus on the Dniester embankment is represented not only in areas with strong anthropogenic impact, but also where human influence is moderate or apparently nonexistent. However, all surveyed areas are visited by pedestrians or vacationers.