Native Flora Research Articles

Notulae to the Italian native vascular flora: 15

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of native vascular flora in Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, and exclusions to the Italian administrative regions. New combinations in the genera Pilosella and Roemeria are proposed. Furthermore, the name Papaver siculum is lectotypified. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrigenda are provided as Suppl. material 1.

Determination of Macro, Micro Element and Heavy Metal Contents of Astragalus Taxa Collected from Nature

The aim of the research is to determine the macro (Ca, Mg, P and K), micro (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Be) element and heavy metal (Al, Cr, Ni, Se and Cd) contents of some Astragalus taxa collected from nature. Nine Astragalus taxa (Astragalus gummifer, A. compactus, A. lineatus var. longidens, A. aureus, A. onobrychis, A. declinatus, A. lineatus var. lineatus, A. oocephalus subsp. stachyophorus, A. inereus) collected from the natural areas of Bingöl province were used as the plant material of the research. Astragalus taxa were collected from the central villages of Bingöl province in June 2018, during the flowering period of the plants. Macro, micro element and heavy metal contents of the collected and dried plant samples were determined with the help of NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectometry) devices. As a result of the analysis, the average Ca content of Astragalus taxa was determined as % 1.63, Mg content % 0.36, P content % 0.27, K content % 1.49, Fe content 2436 mg kg-1, Mn content 153.7 mg kg-1, Cu content 84.5 mg kg-1, Zn content 14.08 mg kg-1, Be content 0.10 mg kg-1, Al content 2535 mg kg-1, Cr content 7.67 mg kg-1, Ni content 9.99 mg kg-1 and Se content 2.19 mg kg-1. In general, the highest Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Al, Cr and Ni contents were determined in A. declinatus, the highest P and K contents were determined in A. oocephalus subsp. stachyophorus, the highest Cu content was determined in A. cinearus, the highest Zn content was determined in A. lineatus var. longidens, the highest content Be was determined in A. gummifer and the highest Se content was determined in A. compactus. Cd content could not be detected in any Astragalus taxa. As a result of the study, it was concluded that Astragalus taxa, which are abundant in the natural flora of our country, can be used as a source of roughage in animal nutrition and can meet the macro and micro element needs of animals.

Living Collections of Threatened Plants in Botanic Gardens: When Is Ex Situ Cultivation Less Appropriate than Quasi In Situ Cultivation?

Botanic gardens play an increasingly important role in the conservation of global biodiversity. However, although botanical gardens periodically report the results of introducing certain species of native flora, they rarely attempt to summarize existing knowledge to make general recommendations regarding ex situ collections. The aim of this study was to analyze the many years of experience of the Tashkent Botanical Garden in creating and maintaining living collections of threatened species of Uzbekistan (the majority of which are endemic to the country or Central Asia) in order to identify species whose cultivation ex situ is advisable, and whose cultivation will not result in meaningful conservation. Careful analysis of the species introduction history revealed that a simple dichotomy of the introduction results (success/failure) appears to be an oversimplification. In terms of the cultivation success, the introduced plant species can rather be classified into three categories: success, failure, and dubious success. For many species whose introduction was earlier considered successful, the introduction success is questionable and further efforts to conserve these species ex situ should be abandoned. A decision tree and classification of threatened perennials for possible ex situ introduction are proposed and the species in TBG collections are tabulated according to the latter. Species considered unsuitable for ex situ conservation are recommended for quasi in situ conservation. Both approaches, ex situ and quasi in situ, should be intensively used as a part of an integral conservation strategy for preserving plant biodiversity.

New Strategies to Increase the Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Woody Ornamental Plants in Mediterranean Climate.

The native flora of different Mediterranean countries, often woody species, was widely recognized for its ornamental potential. The shrubs, in particular, are a typology of plants very widespread in the Mediterranean environment and constituent the 'Macchia', the typical vegetation of this ecosystem. The use of native shrubs for the realization of ornamental green areas has been recently examined for their adaptability to abiotic stress. Abiotic stresses, in fact, are the major limiting growth factor in urban and peri-urban areas. The identification and use of tolerant ornamental species allow the reduction of management costs and preserve the aesthetical value of green areas. Tolerance to drought stress, for instance, in the Mediterranean climate can improve the ecosystem services of these plants in the urban environment. In this review, the possibility to early individuate different plant species' mechanisms to tolerate or avoid the stresses is analysed, as well as the possibility to increase abiotic stress tolerance through genetic and agronomic strategies. The exploration of wild or spontaneous species can be a good source for selecting tolerant plants to be used as ornamental plants in urban areas. Among agronomic strategies, biostimulants, mulching, and plant combination can provide a useful solution to counteract abiotic stress in the urban environment.

Regeneration from seeds in a temperate native flora: A climate‐smart and natural–capital‐driven germination risk modelling approach

Societal Impact StatementExceptionally rainy winters and hot–dry summers are becoming the new normal around the United Kingdom. The effects of these climatic changes can already be seen in forests and grasslands, agricultural fields and even in our own gardens, as native plants try to keep pace with them. In this study, the seed germination of the native flora of Wakehurst, in the Southeast England, was analysed to identify potential threats to the long‐term persistence of selected species, which are part of the natural landscape of this area. Recommendations are provided for ecological restoration interventions which aim to maintain the different potential benefits those plants can provide to people.Summary Seeds play an important role in plant adaptation to human‐driven climate change. In this study, we applied a multilevel modelling of thermal germination responses of native temperate plants, to understand how global warming could affect their reproduction and the potential benefits they provide, as part of their natural capital. We identified Wakehurst (Southeast England, UK), as our study system. We modelled thermal seed germination parameters of the native flora as a whole and according to different uses categories (e.g., medicinal or food plants), through a phylogenetic meta‐analysis of publicly available data from Kew's Millennium Seed Bank (MSB). We also carried out a comparative germination study for MSB seed lots of 20 selected species. Finally, we quantified the germination risk, by comparing current and predicted environmental temperatures with thermal germination parameters at flora, uses categories and species level. Under future climatic scenarios, germination of the native flora will be at higher risk in spring than in autumn. Fitted quadratic models, although affected by phylogeny, did not show major differences among uses categories. Species with a narrow window of cold germination temperatures could be more at risk than those with warm optimal temperatures. Restoration activities should target species from phylogenetically clustered uses categories, to avoid losing their benefit provisions, and implement climate‐smart seed sourcing for high‐risk species. This multilevel germination modelling approach, based on collections and available data from conservation seed banks, can be applied to selected floras and regions to inform climate‐smart ecological restoration activities, while accounting for their natural capital.

Proximate composition and mineral content analysis of Curcuma caesia rhizome

In Ayurveda, Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) plants are used as medicines and nutritional supplements. Because of its variety of phytochemicals and beneficial nutritional properties, the native flora species C. caesia has been subjected to current research work. This study performed a preliminary phytochemical screening, physicochemical studies, proximate analysis, and element identification in C. caesia rhizomes using standard techniques. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that plants have a variety of secondary metabolites like curcumine, coumarin, carbohydrates, and phenol present in each extract. The findings proved that C. caesia has a greater ratio of crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, and carbohydrates. The results also revealed a rich supply of mineral elements, including Fe, K, Co, Na, Ca, Mg, P, and Al, which emphasized its good nutritional value. This research would help to identify and formulate pharmaceutical medications as well as quality control aspects.

Female naturalists and the patterns of suppression of women scientists in history: the example of Maria Sibylla Merian and her contributions about useful plants

BackgroundThis work reunites many women naturalists who registered knowledge about native flora in scientific expeditions around the globe between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. Since male naturalists are more recognized in this period of time, we aimed to list female naturalists that published plant descriptions and observations, focusing on the work of Maria Sibylla Merian and to analyze her trajectory as an example to discuss the patterns of the suppression of women scientists. A second aim was to inventory the useful plants described in Maria Sibylla’s Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium and find pharmacological evidence about the traditional uses described for those plants cited as medicinal and toxic.MethodsA survey of female naturalists was carried out by searching information in Pubmed, Scielo, Google Scholar and Virtual Health Library. Once Maria Sibylla published her book Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium by her own, without male co-authors, and also this book is one of the only to have text and illustrations altogether and there are reports indicating information on useful plants in this work, she and her book were chosen as subject of this research. All the information was tabulated by dividing the plants into food, medicinal, toxic, aromatic or other uses. Finally, with the combinations of the scientific name of medicinal and toxic plants with information about their popular uses, a search was carried out in databases in order to indicate current pharmacological studies that reported evidences about the traditional uses described.ResultsWe found 28 women naturalists who participated in scientific expeditions or trips, or in a curiosity cabinet, or who were collectors of Natural History between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. All these women illustrated botanical species and/or recorded their everyday or medicinal use or reported their observations in the form of a published work, letters or diaries. Also, the trajectory of Maria Sibylla Merian revealed that her scientific relevance has been neglected from the eighteenth century by mechanisms of suppression, most of the time by male depreciation, which can be seen as a pattern for suppression of women in science. However, Maria Sibyllas’ contributions have been valued again in the twenty-first century. In Maria Sibylla’s work, 54 plants were identified, 26 of them used for food, 4 of them aromatic, 8 medicinal, 4 toxic and 9 other uses.ConclusionThis study evidences that there are female naturalists whose work could be an important source for ethnopharmacological studies. Researching about women scientists, talking about them and highlighting the gender bias present in the scientific academy about the way the history of science is told is essential for the construction of a more diverse and richer scientific academy. The traditional use of 7 of 8 medicinal plants and 3 of 4 toxic plants reported was correlated with pharmacological studies, highlighting the importance of this historical record and its potential to direct strategic research in traditional medicine.

Invasive Mechanisms of One of the World's Worst Alien Plant Species Mimosa pigra and Its Management.

Mimosa pigra is native to Tropical America, and it has naturalized in many other countries especially in Australia, Eastern and Southern Africa and South Asia. The species is listed in the top 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species and is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. M. pigra forms very large monospecific stands in a wet-dry tropical climate with conditions such as floodplains, riverbanks, grasslands, forests and agricultural fields. The stands expand quickly and threaten the native flora and fauna in the invasive ranges. Possible mechanisms of the invasion of the species have been investigated and accumulated in the literature. The characteristics of the life history such as the high reproduction and high growth rate, vigorous mutualism with rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, very few natural enemies, and allelopathy, and certain secondary metabolites may contribute to the invasiveness and naturalization of M. pigra. Herbicide application, such as aerial spraying, foliar, cut-stump and soil treatments, is the primary control methods of M. pigra. The investigation of the natural enemies of M. pigra has been conducted in its native ranges since 1979, and biological control agents have been selected based on host specificity, rearing and availability. Mechanical control practices, such as hand weeding, bulldozing, chaining and fire, were also effective. However, the species often regrow from the remaining plant parts. Integration of multiple weed control practices may be more effective than any single practice. This is the first review article focusing on the invasive mechanism of M. pigra.

Acacia pendula (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales: Cunningham’s collection from April 1825 and its implications

Previous debate on the status of Acacia pendula A.Cunn. (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) in the natural flora ofthe Hunter region of New South Wales remains unresolved. However, the discovery of a journal entry and aspecimen of Acacia pendula collected from ‘Hunter’s River’ by Allan Cunningham in April 1825 potentiallyprovide evidence for its long-term presence there. Close examination of a scan of this specimen reveals a poormatch to the lectotype for this species, and its infertile nature means that it cannot be positively identifiedusing taxonomic keys. Rediscovery of a small group of Acacia ‘pendula’ plants near to where Cunninghamtravelled in 1825 confirms the sterile and root-suckering habit of the species which is consistent with thosegrowing elsewhere in the region. Despite this find, Cunningham’s journal entry and collection provide noconfirmation that Acacia pendula naturally occurred extensively in the region (although it may have beenvery rare) but could suggest either that he had located one of the first introduced stands of the species in theregion (through indigenous people or European settlers), or that these sterile root-suckering plants representa currently un-named taxon or un-recognised hybrid. Final resolution of Hunter Valley populations of Acaciapendula s. lat. may only be attained through genetic studies.

Quantitative assessment of structural changes in the cornea against the background of long-term wearing of contact lenses according to the results of confocal microscopy

Introduction. The article presents an objective assessment of the morphofunctional status of the cornea during the long-term wear of soft contact lenses (SCLs). Aim. To assess the qualitative and quantitative changes in the cornea microstructure using the laser confocal microscopy during the long-term wear of SCLs, as well as combined tear replacement therapy based on formulations consisting of trehalose and hyaluronic acid. Materials and methods. The study included 62 patients (124 eyes) divided into three groups. The first two groups included 32 patients (64 eyes) with different degrees of myopia, using SCLs as an optical correction for 7–15 years (11 years on average): Group 1 included 15 patients (30 eyes) using tear replacement therapy in the form of a drug containing trehalose and hyaluronic acid twice a day for 3 months, Group 2 included 17 patients (34 eyes) who did not receive any tear replacement therapy. The laser corneal confocal microscopy was performed using Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph III followed by digital image processing aided by author software with the focus on the state of nerve fibers and dendritiform macrophages (Langerhans cells). Results and discussion. The laser corneal confocal microscopy with assessment of the structure of the corneal nerve fibers and Langerhans cells can be used for the dynamic monitoring of the state of the anterior segment of the eye in SCL users. When pathological changes are detected, a patient may be recommended the corneotrophic therapy and (or) switching to another type of contact lenses. Conclusion. The use of tear replacement medications containing trehalose and hyaluronic acid improves the subjective tolerance of SCLs and also makes it possible to significantly reduce the severity of epitheliopathy in patients, who use SCLs as optical correction for a long time.

Vegetation Structure and Tree Species Diversity inside and outside a Newly Established Zalon Taung National Park in Northwest Myanmar

The Zalon Taung National Park (ZNP) in Banmauk township, northwest Myanmar, is a recently established protected area to protect the area’s cultural value, ecosystems, native flora, and wildlife. This research examined the vegetation structure, tree species diversity, and composition within (ZNP) and outside (the Banmauk unclassified forest (BUCF)) the park to inform conservation and resource utilization for sustainable management. We conducted the vegetation survey in April-May of 2022 by setting up 34 sample plots (40 × 40 meters) using a random sampling approach. We used stand density, basal area, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, Simpson index, Pielou's evenness, Fisher’s α diversity, and Importance Value Index (IVI) to determine the forest structure and tree diversity. A total of 116 tree species (≥10 cm·dbh), representing 87 genera and 48 families, were identified. The ZNP sample plots had a slightly higher stand density (201 individuals ha−1) and basal area (20.6 m2·ha−1) than BUCF (stand density: 191 individuals ha−1 and basal area: 15.0 m2·ha−1), which is accessible to collect firewood and timber extraction by residents. The reverse J-shaped pattern of the population structure indicated that the stands’ populations were progressive and healthy. BUCF featured the most Verbenaceae (12.9%) and the ZNP the most Euphorbiaceae (7.2%) families. Protium serratum had the highest IVI in the BUCF (26.91%) and Dipterocarpus alatus (18.39%) in the ZNP. Dipterocarpus alatus and Dalbergia oliveri (IUCN Red List-endangered species) dominate in BUCF and require special attention in conservation planning. In the ZNP, previous logging activity dramatically reduced the relative density and the IVI values of commercially important species such as Tectona grandis, Dalbergia oliveri, and Protium serratum. According to the NMDS ordination, differences in tree species compositions were significantly linked with elevation, the intensity of logging, and distance to the village and road. The results will help park managers plan effective land use to promote biodiversity conservation and local livelihoods.

Man-Made Changes in the Flora and Vegetation of Poland: Current Review

This paper presents the main directions and range of man-made changes to the vascular flora and their effects at the vegetation level. The native flora of Poland, located in the temperate zone of Central Europe, comprises approximately 2639 species. The effect of human pressure, which began in the Neolithic and has intensified in the last 200 years, has caused changes in the native flora and has included an inflow of 975 alien species, 560 of which have become permanently established. Currently, at least 704 native species are recognized as endangered, and only 623 are recognized as being able to occupy habitats that were created or strongly transformed by humans. Native species (apophytes) and aliens (anthropophytes) have co-created completely new plant communities in these habitats. Among the alien plants, neophytes (399 species) outnumber archaeophytes (161 species). Additionally, many neophytes (123 species) can penetrate seminatural and natural communities. Research has shown that the proportions of apophytes, alien plants, and declining species can be used to clearly differentiate plant communities and be used as an indicator of anthropogenic changes. A comparison of the man-made changes in Polish flora and vegetation in other countries showed that the changes in Poland are part of the global process of environmental degradation and are aggravated by the country’s economic development.

Alien flora causes biotic homogenization in the biodiversity hotspot regions of India

Biotic homogenization by invasive alien species is one of the dominant drivers of global environmental change. However, little is known about the patterns of biotic homogenization in global biodiversity hotspots. Here, we fill this knowledge gap by studying the patterns of biotic homogenization and associated geographic and climatic correlates in Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). For this, we use a novel biodiversity database comprising 10,685 native and 771 alien plant species across 12 provinces of the IHR. The database was assembled by screening 295 and 141 studies published from 1934 to 2022 for natives and aliens, respectively. Our results revealed that each native species on average was distributed among 2.8 provinces, whereas the alien species in 3.6 provinces, thereby indicating wider distribution range of alien species in the IHR. The Jaccard's similarity index between the provinces was higher for alien species (mean = 0.29) as compared to natives (mean = 0.16). Addition of alien species pool has homogenized most of the provincial pairwise floras (89.4 %) across the IHR, with greater dissimilarity in their native floras. Our results revealed that the alien species have strong homogenization effect on the provincial floras, regardless of their differences in geographic and climatic distances. The biogeographic patterns of alien and native species richness in the IHR were better explained by a different set of climatic variables, the former by precipitation of driest month and the latter by annual mean temperature. Our study contributes to better understanding of the patterns of biotic homogenization in the IHR and its geographic and climatic correlates. Looking ahead, in an era of Anthropocene, we discuss the wide implications of our findings in guiding biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration in global hotspot regions.

Queued viral emergence and risk of global exposure: Langya virus

Queued viral emergence and risk of global exposure: Langya virus

Origin, Distribution, Biology and Integrated Management of Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: ‎Formicidae): A Comprehensive Study

The red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is a serious, aggressive social insect pest with an original distribution centered in the southern United States. Now, its population has been established in many countries around the globe. This insect is well-known for causing a range of harmful impacts, such as damaging crops, endangering public safety, harming livestock, reducing the diversity of native flora and fauna, and disrupting ecosystems, particularly in China. Its control is a laborious, expensive, and time-consuming task. Timely implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) strategies is needed for its effective management. Strict preventive measures are needed to avoid its invasion in new areas or places. Effective quarantine measures are essential at seaports and airports to limit the movement of RIFA across countries. If the invasion has occurred, then proper implementation of IPM strategies should be used against RIFA. Considering the broad spectrum of losses caused by RIFA, this study provides proper information about the possible entry routes of invasions and provides guidelines for the implementation of IPM strategies against RIFA

New Data on Native and Alien Vascular Flora of Sicily (Italy): New Findings and Updates.

In this paper, based on fieldwork and herbaria surveys, new data concerning the presence of 32 native and alien vascular species for Sicily (Italy) are provided. Among the native species, the occurrence of the following taxa is reported for the first time or confirmed after many decades of non-observation: Aira multiculmis, Arum maculatum, Carex flacca subsp. flacca, Mentha longifolia, Oxybasis chenopodioides, Najas minor and Xiphion junceum. Furthermore, we document the presence of three native species (Cornus mas, Juncus foliosus and Limonium avei) that, despite being repeatedly observed in Sicily and reported in the literature, are inexplicably omitted by the most recent authoritative checklists regarding the flora of Italy. Finally, fifteen alien species new to Sicily (including one new to Europe, i.e., Pyrus betulifolia) are reported and seven poorly documented allochthonous taxa are confirmed for the island, and for two of them, a status change is proposed. These new or confirmed records allow us to better define the European and national distribution of the targeted taxa and offer new insights on the native and alien flora of Sicily.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in pediatrics, its impact on Public Health

Streptococcus pneumoniae (also known as pneumococcus) is part of the natural bacterial flora of the nasal and pharyngeal mucosa, colonizes mainly the nasopharynx, and causes this carriage to precede pneumococcal disease, thus becoming the main source of propagation among people, especially in children. Since 1983, when the first 23-component anti-pneumococcal vaccine was authorized, different conjugated vaccines have been developed according to the circulating serotypes that cause invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD), reducing the incidence and mortality of these diseases considerably. In November 2021, a group of experts held a virtual meeting to update and analyze the impact that pneumococcal vaccines have generated on the countries' public health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations that emerged included the need to look for alternatives in serotype-independent vaccines after the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) in the national immunization schedules, as well as to strengthen the surveillance of serotypes, focusing on those not included in the current vaccines. The objective of this report is to communicate the conclusions of the group of experts that in November 2021 analyzed the impact of pneumococcal vaccines on public health in the countries, in order to generate recommendations applicable in Latin America.

Exploitation competition between seed predators and dispersers introduced to Hawaiian forests.

Exploitation competition occurs when one group of organisms reduces the availability of a resource for another group of organisms. For instance, plants produce a certain number of fruits for seed dispersal by fruit-eating animals (hereafter frugivores), and fruit consumption by one group of frugivores can reduce the number of fruits available for other frugivores. However, it is uncertain whether exploitation competition is common among frugivores, particularly in novel ecosystems, where food resources are generally thought to be abundant and invasive species are dietary generalists. In a novel ecosystem in Hawai'i, we used gut passage experiments with captive birds to identify roles of introduced frugivores and found they were either distinctly seed dispersers or predators. We then experimentally tested how frugivory by seed predators influenced frugivory by seed dispersers. Specifically, we used exclosures around fruiting plants that blocked seed predator access, while permitting seed disperser access, and we had two control treatments that allowed for access by all frugivores (n = 139 plants). When seed predators were excluded from plants, there was more frugivory by dispersers compared to controls, and results varied by year and plant species. Overall, we show that introduced frugivores occupied distinct ecological roles (seed predator or seed disperser), exploitation competition occurred between these introduced frugivore groups, and seed predators had both direct (via seed destruction) and indirect (via reduction in frugivory by dispersers) effects on seed dispersal. Thus, in this novel ecosystem, multiple frugivory is subtractive, and competition for fruit between introduced seed predators and seed dispersers scales up to affect invasions and the conservation of native flora.

ВНЕСОК КРЕМЕНЕЦЬКОГО БОТАНІЧНОГО САДУ В РОЗВИТОК БОТАНІЧНОЇ НАУКИ

The article highlights the role of the Kremenets Botanical Garden in the preservation and enrichment of plant biodiversity. It also analyzes the current state and prospects of plant biodiversity development as a scientific center where research is carried out on the plants introduction, reintroduction and acclimatization, landscape design and greening, and the organization of environmental monitoring. The main directions of the institution's scientific work at the current stage are outlined.
 The structural scientific unit of the institution consists of six departments: acclimatization of fruit and berry crops; dendrology; flower garden and decorative plants; medicinal plants and new crops; reproductive biology and implementation; phytosozology. Main research topics: introduction of plants with the aim of enriching plant resources of Ukraine; preservation of the gene pool and biodiversity of species ex situ, protection of flora and monitoring of its condition, reproduction, cultivation, implementation of introduced and native ornamental plants with the aim of renewing collections and greening. The collection fund of the botanical garden includes more than 2,000 taxa, among them: species protected in national (listed in the Red Books of Ukraine) and regional levels, endemics of the Kremenets Mountains and other regions of the world. The species of natural flora, dendroflora, berry and fruit crops, medical, fodder, vegetable, spicy-aromatic and decorative plants are widely represented in the collections and expositions. A thorough study of the development of these plant groups allows us to determine their individual peculiarities, develop agricultural techniques, select the most promising species and to use the information obtained when creating plant compositions.
 The study and construction of plant populations of the desinent group is actively conducted in the Kremenets Botanical Garden. Also, the monitoring and control of the spontaneous spreading of invasive species are carried out.
 The modern Kremenets Botanical Garden is an object of the national nature reserve fund. It participates in the environmental protection activities of the region and functions as a research and educational institution. Multi-faceted scientific research is carried out here, as well as cultural and educational work.

ФЛОРИСТИЧНА ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА РЕКРЕАЦІЙНОЇ ЗОНИ ПОБЛИЗУ СЕЛА САБАРІВ НА ВІННИЧЧИНІ

The urban factor affects not only the species composition of populations but also their absolute quantitative indicators. The purpose of the research was to carry out the floristic analysis of the characteristics of the meadow grouping of the recreation area, the structural analysis of the species composition of the phytocenosis, the identification of growth places of rare and medicinal plants, and the analysis of the development trends of this phytocenosis.
 The study of the floristic composition of the recreation area near the village of Sabariv in the Vinnytsia region was carried out by the expedition route method, as well as by using direct and indirect methods. The systematic belonging of plants was determined with the help of a designator. The abundance of species was determined according to the Gult-Drude scale (with the addition of A. A. Uranov and P. D. Yaroshenko).
 The article is a unique analysis of the species composition of plants in the recreation area near the village of Sabariv in the Vinnytsia region. 3 types of associations have been established: meadow slope, meadow lowland, and coastal.
 During floristic research throughout 2012–2020, a systematic analysis of the species composition was carried out: 39 species of plants belonging to 16 families were found in meadow slope associations, 37 species belonging to 17 families were found in lowland meadows, 25 species of plants belonging to 19 families were found in the coastal zone. The abundance of plants was calculated, and the participation of each species in the phytocenosis was determined. Medicine and rare plants were also discovered, in particular Pulsatilla grandis Wend., the place of growth of which has not been confirmed in recent years.
 The trends in the development of phytocenosis due to the increase in anthropogenic influence are described. In particular, a decrease in the participation of Campanula persicifolia L., Dianthus deltoides L. in meadow slope communities, and Alismaplantago-aquivatica L. in the coastal zone was revealed.
 Increasing anthropogenic load on this territory causes depletion of the species composition of natural flora. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically monitor the places of growth of rare and medicinal plant species, as well as to inform the population about the need for a careful attitude to natural resources in general and to raise awareness of the human impact on the environment.