Abstract
Recently in Ukraine, there were many discussions about proposed changes to the next edition of the Red Book of Ukraine. Kingdom Plantae. In this short communication, we clarify one particular aspect within the discussions concerning the proposition to exclude dark-barked birch Betula obscura from the next edition of the Red Book of Ukraine. It is argued by the new research data obtained and published during last years, and which provide evidence that there is no reason to treat B. obscura as a separate species because it represents only one of at least two different dark-barked birch forms of two widely distributed birch species in Ukraine (B. pendula f. obscura and B. pubescens f. sibakademica), respectively. Therefore, the proposition to exclude B. obscura from the next edition of the Red Book of Ukraine is reasonable since it is aimed to protect plants on the species level only.
Highlights
The taxonomy of so-called dark-barked birches in Europe is challenging, and there were many changes, controversies, and discussions regarding their taxonomic status
We clarify one particular aspect within the discussions concerning the proposition to exclude dark-barked birch Betula obscura from the edition of the Red Book of Ukraine. It is argued by the new research data obtained and published during last years, and which provide evidence that there is no reason to treat B. obscura as a separate species because it represents only one of at least two different dark-barked birch forms of two widely distributed birch species in Ukraine (B. pendula f. obscura and B. pubescens f. sibakademica), respectively
The protologue for this species is confusing in many aspects, and Conservation status of dark-barked birch taxa in the Red Book of Ukraine the type specimen likely represents a mix of two different birch species
Summary
The taxonomy of so-called dark-barked birches in Europe is challenging, and there were many changes, controversies, and discussions regarding their taxonomic status. We clarify one particular aspect within the discussions concerning the proposition to exclude dark-barked birch Betula obscura from the edition of the Red Book of Ukraine. It is argued by the new research data obtained and published during last years, and which provide evidence that there is no reason to treat B. obscura as a separate species because it represents only one of at least two different dark-barked birch forms of two widely distributed birch species in Ukraine
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