Red Book Of Ukraine Research Articles

FEATURES OF IN VITRO CULTIVATION OF ASTRAGALUS DASYANTHUS PALL PLANTS

The research is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of in vitro cultivation of the medicinal plant Astragalus dasyanthus Pall, which is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and has the status of an endangered species. The cultivation of woolly-flowered astragalus in Ukraine is currently difficult due to the inaccessibility of the raw material base in the temporarily occupied southern part of Ukraine, as well as due to the low seed productivity of the crop. The use of in vitro plant tissue cultivation methods to restore natural communities of A. dasyanthus and expand possible sources of raw materials for the synthesis of medicinal substances is promising. In this work, we investigated the conditions for obtaining aseptic Astragalus dasyanthus plants from seeds and evaluated the effect of preliminary mechanical scarification on its germination energy, taking into account the percentage of sterile seedlings obtained. In addition, the efficiency of microclonal propagation of A. dasyanthus was determined depending on the composition of the culture medium, in particular the concentration of macronutrients and the presence and concentration of growth regulators. It has been shown that aseptic plants of Astragalus dasyanthus can be obtained by surface sterilization of seeds that have been previously subjected to mechanical scarification or by germination on Murashige and Skoog nutrient medium with the addition of 0.1 mg/l benzylaminopurine. It was determined that the type and concentration of cytokinin affects the efficiency of microclonal propagation of A. dasyanthus plants, while halving the content of macronutrients in the nutrient medium does not significantly affect this item. It was found that the addition of benzylaminopurine to the culture medium stimulates the formation of more additional shoots of A. dasyanthus in vitro compared to the culture medium containing kinetin. Thus, Murashige and Skoog medium with the addition of 0.5 mg/l of benzylaminopurine is optimal for in vitro cultivation of woolly-flowered Astragalus plants.

Representativeness of biota of the western part of Ukraine in the Data Centre ‘Biodversity of Ukraine’

This paper summarises the inventory of biota of the western region of Ukraine in the web resource Data Centre ‘Biodiversity of Ukraine’ (DCBU) (http://dc.smnh.org), a growing biodiversity platform launched on 25 May 2017 and which organises knowledge on the biodiversity of Ukraine. The main objective and originality of DCBU is to aggregate curated biodiversity data of different kinds (e.g. scientific and vernacular names, data records of species, their geotagged geographical and biotopic distribution, conservation categories, and representation in protected areas of Ukraine). The database of the resource is primarily filled with data concerning 7 oblasts (Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, and Zakarpattia oblasts) of the western region of Ukraine, which is discussed in this article. Currently, the following number of species of living organisms has been recorded for the mentioned oblasts of the region: Volyn Oblast—1311 species/80 protected species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, Rivne Oblast—535/47, Lviv Oblast—3163/211, Ternopil Oblast—1081/164, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast—1942/157, Chernivtsi Oblast—672/87, and Zakarpatska Oblast—2125/149. Taxonomic accounts in the DCBU cover 5 kingdoms (Chromista, Protista, Plantae, Fungi, and Animalia), 22 phyla, 81 classes, 283 orders, 1292 families, 4741 genera, and 11 763 species. DCBU enables the following operations to be accomplished: to create species lists of different taxonomic rank of separate territorial regions and water bodies of the country and also of different time intervals, to create lists of protected and endemic species and of those that are deposited in collections of scientific institutions; to find a particular specimen according to the inventory number, to create species lists according to the type of recording/collecting, collected or determined by certain specialists, to search for literature sources concerning the Ukrainian biota, and to advanced search for all mentioned parameters as well. The accumulation of information on biodiversity, the possibility of its searching and the free access would promote the development and speed-up of scientific research, the effective control of the ecological state of the environment by the public, and sustainable development.

Rare, protected, and understudied vascular plant species of the pinewood complex of the Mozh River valley (Kharkiv Region, Ukraine)

The composition of the biota is dynamic and changes for many reasons, making biodiversity research relevant. Studies of rare species that are most vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures are of particular importance. Although the Mozh River flows through the central part of the Kharkiv Region, its valley remains understudied, especially the pine forests and their rare plants. The results of the current study include data from our field research, revision of the Herbarium of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (CWU), and literature sources from the second half of the 20th century to the present. This paper contains an annotated list of 35 species of vascular plants. Each species is provided with the data on its geographical range, distribution in Ukraine, population status and its study history in the Kharkiv Region, conservation status, and the state of its population in the studied forests. We found the localities of two species included in Appendix I of the Bern Convention (Salvinia natans (L.) All. and Jurinea cyanoides (L.) Rchb. and six species included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (Botrychium lunaria (L.) Sw., Pulsatilla pratensis (L.) Mill., Iris pineticola Klok., Neottia nidus-avis (L.) Rich., Neottia ovata (L.) Hartm., Tulipa quercetorum Klok. & Zoz). We also found 19 species rare in the Kharkiv Region (Lycopodium clavatum L., Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth, Ophioglossum vulgatum L., Campanula persicifolia L., Chimaphila umbellata (L.) W.P.C. Barton, Comarum palustre L., Hottonia palustris L., Rubus saxatilis L., Carex pseudocyperus L., etc.). Nine regionally rare plant species have the boreal range type; they occur at the southern limit of their distribution range which indicates the specificity of ecological and climatic conditions formed in the pine forests in the Mozh River valley. In addition, we found five species without conservation status, but they are rare in the region (Caltha palustris L., Catolobus pendulus (L.) Al-Shehbaz, Gratiola officinalis L., Lythrum hyssopifolia L., Rubus polonicus Barr. ex Weston), and, therefore, they are recommended to be included in the next edition of the Official List of the Regionally Rare Plants of the Kharkiv Region. Three species (Buglossoides czernjajevii (Klokov & Des.-Shost.) Czerep., Jacobaea andrzejowskyi (Tzvelev) B.Nord. & Greuter, Sedum album L.) were identified as understudied in the Kharkiv region due to the lack of or insufficient information on their distribution in the study area.

HISTORY OF BOTANICAL RESEARCH IN THE TILIGUL ESTUARY REGION

Introduction. Two regional landscape parks and 5 reserves have been established on the shores of the Tiligulsky Lagoon. The proposal is to organize a single national natural park in this area. This lagoon is part of the Emerald Network of Europe. However, the flora of the area is currently insufficiently studied, and there is no comprehensive understanding of the most valuable fraction of the flora, the halophytes. To gain a more complete understanding of the state of the territory’s flora and its environmental value, it is necessary to review the results of previous botanical research. Objective. The purpose of this work is a retrospective analysis of research on the plant world of the Tiligulsky Lagoon, its shores and adjacent areas. Methodology. The classical method of analyzing literary sourses was used. Main results. In total, data on the flora and vegetation of the Tiligulsky Lagoon region were found in 122 literary sources, which include both specialized works with information on plant species and locations and more general studies covering larger territories, including the Tiligulsky Lagoon area. The history of research on the territory is divided into 4 stages. In the ancient stage, no specific botanical work was conducted in the region, and the works of this period are of a general nature, describing extensive territories that include the Tiligulsky Lagoon area. More specific research began in the 18 th century during the Russian imperial period. The first references to specific plant species in the studied territory belong to A. K. Meyer and date back to 1794. Works by P. S. Shesterikov and Y. K. Pachosky are particularly noteworthy in this period for the number of publications and plant species they mention. During the Soviet period, scientists such as V. G. Tanfiliev, G. Y. Potapenko, I. I. Pogrebnyak, L. I. Kritska, V. S. Tkachenko, O. V. Kostilyov, Y. R. Shelyag- Sosonko, and O. V. Kostilyov extensively studied the vegetation of the slopes of the Tiligulsky Lagoon. In the Ukrainian stage, the most significant contributions to the study of the area’s plant world were made by B. Y. Voiytiuk (who studied the halophytic vegetation of the region), L. I. Kritska and V. V. Novosad, O. Y. Bondarenko (with the largest number of listed species – 408), and O. M. Popova, who focused on halophytes of the territory and listed the most extensive variety. Overall, according to literary data, more than 400 species of vascular plants can be identified for the lagoon, its shores, and the adjacent area. The list of halophytes at the national and local levels, established based on literary data, includes 57 species, including 31 species from the Red Book of Ukraine (according to the 2021 list).

MOLECULAR GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF UKRAINIAN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMPLEX SPECIES ACONITUM ANTHORA BASED ON THE ITS1-5.8S- ITS2 REGION OF THE NUCLEAR GENOME

Problem. The question of determining the boundaries of a species, in addition to the fundamental aspects, is of practical importance for nature conservation activities. One of the taxonomically problematic groups is the complex species A. anthora s. l. In the flora of Ukraine, four taxa with controversial status are distinguished within its borders, A. anthora L., A. eulophum Rchb., A. jacquinii Rchb. and A. pseudanthora Błocki ex Pacz. The last two species are included in the Red Book of Ukraine and the IUCN list. Determining the taxonomic position of these closely related forms requires the use of molecular genetic approaches. The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of 35S rDNA is considered the most popular and informative marker for plant taxonomy and barcoding. Aim. To clarify the taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships of representatives of A. anthora s. l. using the molecular marker ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 of 35S rDNA. Methods. Herbarium specimens of four representatives of the group A. anthora s. l. were collected on the territory of Western Ukraine. DNA was isolated by a modified CTAB method and then used for PCR amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region. PCR products were purified and Sanger sequenced. The sequences obtained were aligned with the sequences deposited in the GenBank database for representatives of two subgenera of the genus Aconitum, i.e. the nominative subgenus and the subgenus Lycoctonum. The resulting matrix was used for principal component analysis (PCA) and phylogenetic analysis using the Maximum Likelihood method. Main results. The sequences of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 that we obtained for A. anthora, A. eulophum, A. jacquinii, and A. pseudanthora samples were found to be almost identical. They differed from each other in only five of the 641 alignment positions. Among them, four out of five positions appeared to be polymorphic even within individual genomes. According to the results of PCA analysis, all four samples of A. anthora s. l. formed a dense cluster separated by significant distances from the clusters formed by representatives of the subgenera Aconitum and Lycoctonum. In the generated phylogenetic tree, three main monophyletic clades are present, which correspond to the subgenera Aconitum and Lycoctonum and the A. anthora s. l. group. The Lycoctonum clade was sister to other members of the genus, and the Aconitum and A. anthora s. l. clades were sister to each other. Conclusions. The use of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of 35S rDNA for phylogenetic analysis confirms the need to grant the A. anthora s. l. group the status of a separate subgenus within the genus Aconitum. The high genetic affinity between samples of A. anthora s. l. from the territory of Ukraine indicates that the species names A. eulophum, A. jacquinii, and A. pseudanthora should be considered synonyms of A. anthora.

Species from the collection of tropical and subtropical plants of the Botanical Garden of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University in need of protection

One of the current areas of work of the Botanical Garden of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University (Dnipro, Ukraine) is considered conservation, introduction, study of tropical and subtropical plants needed protection. The fund collection of tropical and subtropical plants in protected soil, where the total number of taxa is 830 units from 105 families, and those listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and international lists are more than 70 (28 families), among them, the vast majority of species (60) are included in the World Red List and, in particular, Adiantum capillus-veneris L. – in the Red Book of Ukraine has been studied. The geographical origin and life forms of the collection species needed protection are studied. Their habitats have been found to represent almost all areas of the tropics and subtropics; there are a large number of endemics, including the Galapagos Islands, Madagascar, and the islands of Norfolk and Rodriguez. Among the life forms, most belong to succulents (35 taxa) and trees (20). The taxonomy and systematic position of species according to the classification of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG IV) have been determined. It has been determined that almost all rare and endangered plants of the Laboratory of the Tropics and Subtropics of DNU have a decorative appearance and can be used in the phytodesign of various interiors, some of them are plants in which fruits, leaves, stems and other parts have a high biological value, in particular as a source of antioxidants, and are a source of physiologically active compounds and vitamins, can be raw materials for the pharmaceutical and food industries. It was found that the largest number among the species in need of protection is the life form of succulents. Among them, the family Cactaceae Juss dominates: 13 genera, 16 species and the family Xanthorrhoeaceae Dumort. – 7 species of Aloe L. The collection of tropical and subtropical plants of the DNU Botanical Garden is constantly used for educational work among the population, thousands of people visit it throughout the year. Protected soil plants serve as the basis for environmental education for adults and children, schoolchildren in particular from the Junior Academy of Sciences, students.

New data on geographical distribution of Diphasiastrum tristachyum (Lycopodiaceae) in Ukraine

Diphasiastrum tristachyum (Lycopodiaceae) is a rare species of the Ukrainian flora, listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. In our country it occurs mainly in Central (Zhytomyr) Polissya. Two localities only have been recorded in Volhynian Polissya. In the literature sources, there is no information about distribution of D. tristachyum in Kyiv Polissya. However, back in 1899, the species was collected near the town of Boyarka (KWU0001665). Although correctly identified, this specimen has not been previously included in distribution data. We report a new locality of D. tristachyum from pine forest in Lub'yanka Forestry in Bucha District, Kyiv Region. In the Podolian Upland, an isolated local population of D. tristachyum was found in a karst sinkhole near Hutysko village, Ternopil Region. A list of all known localities of D. tristachyum in Ukraine and data on the current state of its populations in the newly reported localities are provided. It is proposed to establish a botanical reserve in Lub'yanka Forestry.

Distribution pattern of <i>Nitellopsis obtusa</i> (Desv.) J.Groves (<i>Charophyta</i>, <i>Charales</i>) in Ukraine

The article presents the results of the analysis of literature and original data on Nitellopsis obtusa (Desv.) J.Groves (Charophyta, Charales) included in Red Data Book of Ukraine and peculiarities of its distribution in Ukraine. This relict species is also regionally red-listed in its native Eurasian range within temperate and subtropical latitudes from Portugal to Japan but invasive in North America, in the Great Lakes region, because of an accidental introduction in 20th century. In Central and Eastern Europe N. obtusa is a rather common species but it happens everywhere rather sporadically. Its distribution is limited by such factors as a type of water body, total mineralization, ionic composition of water and pH. Totally 26 localities of N. obtusa have been recorded, including historical, lost, and existing ones. A list of localities, and a map of the distribution of this species in Ukraine have been compiled and analyzed. All of them were found within the Pripyat-Desna, Middle Dnieper, Dnieper-Black Sea algofloristic subprovinces. However, the characteristic of their location confirms the trend of distribution of N. obtusa in Ukraine only in the valleys of large rivers, which is most likely due to the absence of large lakes with stable hydrological and hydrochemical regimes, as well as ecological and biological features of the species.

Winter avifauna habitat types of urban agglomerations: comparison by qualitative and quantitative indicators

Background. The winter avifauna of urban agglomerations is a rather dynamic object of research, whose indicators differ across cities and years of observation. Depending on the species characteristics and the level of anthropogenization, birds in the territory of cities choose different types of habitats, which also requires analysis. Materials and Methods. Research on the species composition of wintering birds on the territories of Zhydachiv and Lviv urban agglomerations was carried out in winter periods of 2020–2023 by means of field trips using the method of point records (Bibby et al., 2000). In order to count small species of Passeriformes accurately, a slightly modified version of this method was used. In this case, observations were carried out in a double radius. Birds were recorded separately in R1 – up to 25 m and R2 – from 25 to 50 m. The optimal time for counting at one point is 8–10 minutes. The counting area corresponds to a circle with a known radius. Research was carried out mainly in morning hours – from 8:00 to 11:00 in the case of absence of heavy precipitation, fog or strong wind. Results and Discussion. After comparing the winter avifauna of urban agglo­merations of the regional (Lviv) and district (Zhydachiv) levels, which differ in the level of environmental transformation, we established certain differences. A total of 48 species of wintering birds have been recorded, of which the Сommon Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) are protected by the Red Data Book of Ukraine. Conclusion. For each of the agglomerations, dominant species of birds have been determined. Admittedly, birds in the territory of cities seek to occupy a territory with conditions most similar to the natural environment. Additionally, we attempted to understand the patterns of distribution of wintering species in the study area and the reasons for such placement.

The new record of the Mammoth Wasp Megascolia maculata (Drury, 1773) in the Ternopil oblast as evidence of the species range expansion

Mammoth Wasp Megascolia maculata (Drury, 1773) (Hymenoptera, Scoliidae) widely distributed in the south of the Western Palearctic and is the largest Hymenoptera insect in Europe. The species range covers southern and partially Central Europe, North Africa, Turkey, the Caucasus, Transcaucasia, Western and Central Asia (Western Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Israel, Kuwait, Iran, Afghanistan). Three subspecies are distinguished within the species range: Megascolia (Regiscolia) maculata bischoffi (Micha, 1927) – island of Cyprus, Megascolia (Regiscolia) maculata flavifrons (Fabricius, 1775) – western Mediterranean including Italy, Megascolia (Regiscolia) maculata maculata (Drury, 1773) – Eastern Mediterranean, Central and Eastern Europe and Asia. However, DNA barcoding showed no difference between these three subspecies (Schmid-Egger, Schmidt, 2021). In Ukraine it is represented by a nominative subspecies Megascolia (Regiscolia) maculata maculata (Drury, 1773), most of the findings are concentrated in the central and southeastern provinces (oblasts). The species is listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine with protection status: not evaluated (NE). The purpose of the study was to analyze its spread in Ukraine and neighboring countries, in particular, define the northern boundary of the species range. The material for the work was collections (State Museum of Natural History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, entomological collection of the Department of Botany and Zoology of Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University), own observations, literature data, information from web resources on biodiversity: GBIF - 3800 findings GBIF, 2023; Megascolia…, 2023), iNaturalist – 3208 observations (iNaturalist, 2023), Data Centre «Biodiversity of Ukraine» – 265 records, Ukrainian Biodiversity Information Network – 127 findings. Data on a new discovered of Mammoth Wasp Megascolia maculata (Drury, 1773) in the Ternopil oblast (24.06.2022, Laskivtsi village, Ternopilskyi district, 49.170338N, 25.568823E) are presented. The distribution of the species in Ukraine and neighboring countries is analyzed, a map of the distribution of the species in the region is presented and indicated the expansion of the species range in the northwest direction. Probably, for the next few years we can expect it’s discovered in the Lviv and Volyn oblasts, as well as in Poland.

Регіонально рідкісні види тварин Львівської області

Growing anthropogenic pressure and changing climate conditions create new reality in which more and more native fauna species require our attention. That is the reason for scientists to compile Red Lists or Red Data Books on different levels. The main factors of negative impact on animals nowadays are as follows: destruction and/or transformation of natural ecosystems (habitats), illegal removal from nature, commercial overuse, natural disasters and climate change, as well as military actions. The Red Data Book of Ukraine includes 140 species of animals which appear in Lviv region. However, there are also other species within the region that deserve protection. The latest Lviv region list of rare species was approved in 2007 – two years before the publication of the third edition of Red Data Book of Ukraine, and is somewhat outdated. For more than 15 years the animal habitats have changed, and the list of species in the new edition of the Red Data Book of Ukraine (2021) has changed significantly. According to this, a new list of regionally rare animal species is objectively needed. Such a list has been compiled and is presented in the article. The main species criteria for being included into it are: vulnerability to the environmental changes, a sharp decline in the number of individuals or rapid population area shrinkage, low occurrence frequency within the region, relic origin, endemic or sub-endemic status, species on the edge of their distribution ranges or with the complex life cycles, etc. We believe that our knowledge about regionally rare species and their distribution can be one of the reasons for the establishing of new protected areas. This will help to preserve rare ecosystems in the structure of national ecological network and strengthen the conservation of species and coenotic diversity both in some separate territories or regions, and in Ukraine as a whole. After additional, detailed scientific research some of the regionally rare animal species will obviously be recommended to be included into the next edition of the Red Data Book of Ukraine. Thus, at least 106 animal species are proposed to became regionally protected in Lviv region. 64 of them are already under the protection of Bern Convention, 26 – under Bonn Convention, and 13 under the protection of Washington Convention.

РАРИТЕТНА СКЛАДОВА ФАУНИ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОГО ПРИРОДНОГО ПАРКУ «КРЕМЕНЕЦЬКІ ГОРИ»

The National Nature Park “Kremenetski Hory” is situated in the northern part of the Ternopil region, covering an area of 6,951.2 hectares. The park features a hilly terrain.
 The primary objective of the park is the protection and preservation of rare species. As of the beginning of 2023, there is a need for further research, particularly in the field of invertebrates, to better understand the fauna within the park.
 A total of 796 animal species have been documented in the National Nature Park “Kremenetski Hory” and its surrounding areas. This includes 12 amphibian species, 7 reptiles, 155 bird species, 48 mammals, 1 roundmouth, 484 insect species, and 60 mollusks. Notably, 217 of these species are afforded protection under Ukrainian and international environmental conservation agreements.
 This article presents data on animal species with nature protection status recorded within the park from 2012 to the first half of 2023. According to both literary sources and modern research, 55 species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine are documented in the park’s records, with 42 being reliably confirmed, 12 known only from literary sources, and one species considered to be erroneous.
 Further exploration of the park’s fauna is essential, and this can be achieved by involving specialists and utilizing modern recording technologies.

The usage of probiotic microorganisms in production technology of European grayling fish stock

European grayling is a perspective object of a recreational fishing. In addition, the presence of this species in sufficient quantities in rivers has a positive influence on the formation of the recreational attractiveness of mountain regions, where tourism is one of the main sources of local communities existence. However, grayling stocks in the watercourses of Ukraine are significantly depleted nowadays, and populations are in a condition of lack, what has led to the inclusion of this species into the Red Book of Ukraine. Working out of biotechnologies of artificial reproduction of rare fish species in aquaculture conditions for the further reintroduction of the resulting offspring into natural water bodies takes an important place in the system of environmental protection measures to preserve biodiversity. After all, the reintroduction into nature of artificially obtained fish fry is one of the effective ways to restore the optimal number and structure of rare fish species natural populations, and this, in turn, will allow in the future to restore the limited exploitation of the stock of these fish species. One of the critical artificial fish reproduction technology links is the transfer of larvae to external nutrition. Namely on this stage the highest mortality rates are observed. The usage of live feeds as a starter fodder can significantly improve the situation. Forage organisms, in addition to having high nutritional value, can serve as delivering tools of various targeted products, including probiotics, to a fish larvae organism. The assessment of the usage of probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei IMV B-7280 feasibility is carried, and also the possibility of usage the culture Daphnia magna Straus, 1820 grown in the presence of trehalose lipids, within the technology of early feeding of the European grayling Thymallus thymallus (Linnaeus, 1758). It was shown that the larvae of the European grayling, which received investigated probiotic microorganisms strain, had 15% bigger weight on the final stages of feeding than the larvae of the control group. Introduction to the diet of grown-up grayling larvae of the culture Daphnia magna, previously received of common cultivation with microalgae Desmodesmus armatus (Chodat) E.H.Hegewald 2000 with addition of trehalose lipids, contributed to the reduction of larval mortality and the acceleration of their growth rate. Further improvement of proposed approaches of growing grayling fish planting material can be extrapolated to other fish species and in the future may be applicable in the process of growing rare fish species in conditions of farm aquaculture fish farms, what will allow them to be involved into environmental protection activities by placing appropriate orders. This, in its turn, will contribute to the stable development of communities in rural areas.

Species and structural diversity of flora and avifauna on the territory of urban water treatment facilities

Background. The territories of urban wastewater treatment facilities, where the natural vegetation has been radically changed to synanthropic vegetation, promote the spread of ruderal plant species, including invasive ones, but at the same time create a favourable environment for nesting and staying of many bird species, including rare and those listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. The aim of this study is to investigate the species and structural diversity of vegetation on the territory of urban wastewater treatment facilities in order to determine their significance for the conservation of avifauna. Materials and Methods. To analyse the state of biodiversity, an inventory of species of higher plant and avifauna in the technogenic areas of Kharkiv wastewater treatment facilities in the spring and summer of 2020–2021 was carried out using conventional methods. Results. The flora of higher vascular plants includes 90 species belonging to 78 genera, 30 families, and 2 classes of the Magnoliophyta division. The leading families are: Asteraceae (30.0 %; n = 90), Poaceae (12.2 %), Brassicaceae (6.7 %), Fabaceae and Polygonaceae (4.4 % each). Herbaceous plant species (92.0 %; n = 90) dominated according to the С. Raunkiær classification (1934), with a predominance of hemicryptophytes (54.0 %) and terophytes (37.0 %). The increased proportion of the latter, compared to the zonal flora, indicates a significant disturbance of the habitat by anthropogenic factors. This is also evidenced by the predominance of synanthropic plant species (81.1 %; n = 90), including 40 species (54.8 %; n = 73) belonging to the apophyte group, and the remaining 45.2 % are adventitious species. In relation to moisture, most plants are mesophytes (71.0%; n = 90). In terms of geographical structure, the flora has a Holarctic-European-Eurasian character with admixtures of North American, Mediterranean, Nomadic and Mediterranean-Asian geoelements. The avifauna includes 95 species belonging to 13 orders and 29 families. Birds of Passeriformes (32.6 %), Charadriiformes (24.2 %) and Anseriformes (13.7 %) predominate. The treatment facilities are important for nesting of 53 species (55.8 %; n = 95), and are also a trophic base for 23 (24.2 %) of wandering and 19 (20.0 %) of transient bird species. The nine faunal groups were dominated by boreal 26.6 % (n = 95) and tropical 13.8 %, as well as limnophilous (12.8 %) and nemoral (11.7 %) species. The nesting avifauna was formed mainly by nemoral 17.0 % (n = 53) and tropical 15.1 %, as well as alluviophilous and boreal (13.2 % each) species. The greatest bird diversity is found in the overgrown silt areas, where vegetation with a projected cover of 50–70 % is interspersed with shallow water as close as possible to natural areas. Among the identified bird species, the following breeding birds are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine: Himantopus himantopus, also transient and wandering species: Milvus migrans, Hieraaetus pennatus, Columba oenas. Conclusion. The established plant communities with rich avifauna, including rare bird species, and the location of the treatment facilities within their migration routes, indicate the importance of these areas for the conservation of biota.

Aquatic, riverside-aquatic and shrubswamp vegetation of Bile lake at «Biloozersky» NNP

The territory of the «Biloozerskyi» National Park represents the landscape complexes of the Middle Dnipro region, the integral elements of which contain ancient watercourses, swampy and waterlogged, wedged between the raised segments of the pine terrace and often connected to the modern floodplain. In the central part of such a decline (89–92 m above sea level), which is located within the park, there is a floodplain Bile Lake with a swampy island, which divides it into a smaller eastern water area of the lake and a larger western one. The periphery of the lake is surrounded by areas of swampy shores. The total area of flooded and swampy areas is about 16 hectares, of which the area of the water pond is 9 hectares. Considerable areas are represented by thickets of air-water vegetation and swamp-bog swamps with a thick cover of Sphagnum sp. The water supply of this lake is complex and is provided by both the underground waters of the pine terrace and the waters of the surface runoff. And in the presence of a swampy decline with channels connecting them into one wetland system, they provide the possibility of slow water exchange between the Kaniv Reservoir and the lake. The examined territory has a fairly rich and diverse plant complex. A number of habitats protected by Directive 92/43/EU «On the conservation of natural habitats and species of natural fauna and flora» are presented and large populations of two species of marsh orchids (Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich., Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz) and water fern (Salvinia natans (L.) All.) are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine (2009). In addition, three species protected in the Kyiv region grow here in the conditions of natural biotopes (Drosera rotundifolia L., Dryopteris cristata (L.) A. Gray, Nymphaea alba L.).

MEDICINAL PLANTS IN THE DENDROLOGY COLLECTION OF THE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF ONU IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM "PHARMACY"

Introduction. The quality of educational results in pharmaceutical botany in Ukraine is insufficient. This is evidenced by the results of the first stage of the Unified state qualification exam “KROK‑1” (“STEP 1”) in recent years. The improvement of the quality of education will be facilitated by the compilation of a clear list of types of medicinal plants, which applicants must study, and the acquaintance of future pharmacists with live plants stored in collections, in particular, the botanical garden of Odesa University. Aim. The purpose of the work was to identify and characterize a part of the dendrological collection of the open ground in the arboretum of the National University Botanical Garden, important for studying in the course of pharmaceutical botany by students of the second (master’s) level of education within the OPP «Pharmacy». Methods. For the first time, the dendrological collection of the open soil of the botanical garden was investigated for species used in scientific medicine. In order to identify the latter, the program recommended by the Ministry of Health, basic textbooks on pharmaceutical botany, pharmacognosy, the state register of medicinal products of Ukraine, the 2nd edition of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine were analyzed. The analysis of the species list was carried out according to traditional floristic methods. Main results. In the dendrological collection of the botanical garden, 123 species from 42 families and 87 genera were found, which are considered in the textbook on pharmaceutical botany. Among them, the leading families are Rosaceae, Pinaceae, and Cupressaceae. Among life forms, trees dominate, with bushes being 2.3 times less frequent. Plants from the Circumboreal, Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian floristic regions predominate. Four species are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine (Juniperus excelsa, J. foetidissima, Sorbus aucuparia, Taxus baccata) and 8 require protection on the global scale (Abies numidica, A. pinsapo, Aesculus hippocastanum, Cedrus atlantica, C. libani, Eucommia ulmoides, Ginkgo biloba, Sequoiadendron giganteum), two are close to them (Platycladus orientalis, Pistacia vera). More than half of these species are used in scientific medicine. There are 72 species (11 gymnosperms and 61 angiosperms) from 58 genera and 34 families which are studied under the OPP «Pharmacy». Trees also predominate among them, but the numberof trees is only 1.6 times higher than of bushes. Among them there is 1 species from the Red Book and 6 species that are under threat of extinction on the global scale. The woody plants diversity is higher on the old territory of the botanical garden than on the new one. Zhakkar’s coefficient is 0.64. Official woody plants were identified, which are not in the collection of the botanical garden, but can grow here in accordance with the requirements for the surrounding environment. 17 species are proposed to expand the collection in order to more fully meet the educational needs of students of higher education in the specialty «Pharmacy».

Monitoring of the floristic diversity of the Teremky Tract of the “Holosiivskyi” National Nature Park in the conditions of anthropogenic load

The article presents the results of monitoring the floristic diversity of the Teremky Tract, which is part of the “Holosiivskyi” National Nature Park as a separate territory. The tract is located in the city of Kyiv, directly adjacent to a large residential area and two highways. An analysis of the main factors affecting the ecological state of the territory was conducted. Among the main factors negatively impacting the state of the ecosystem of the Teremky Tract, the following can be distinguished: vandalism, which includes setting fire to old trees and causing various types of damage to them; plucking of flowering plants; environmental pollution with solid household waste; direct and indirect influence of hazardous objects such as boiler plants and gas stations; and the influence of transport infrastructure. The article demonstrates the need for constant monitoring of the ecological state of natural biotopes located within modern megacities. It is shown that the monitoring of floristic diversity, controlling the preservation of valuable and rare plant species, and tracking the appearance and spread of invasive alien species can be effective indicators of the ecological state of the natural biotope. Thus, populations of forest lily (Lilium martagon L.) and cuckoo’s tears (Listera ovata L.) were found on the territory of the Teremky Tract, which are included in the Red Book of Ukraine. Additionally, a group of 400-year-old oak trees grows in this area. However, the presence of invasive alien species such as red oak (Quercus rubra L.), the ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo L.), black cherry (Prunus serotina L.) and Robinia pseudoacacia L. was also observed. Monitoring of floristic diversity in natural biotope areas within megacities plays an important role in timely response to the effects of negative natural and anthropogenic factors for the preservation of the environment of these urban ecosystems. Such monitoring can be conducted both through field observations and using remote methods and analysis of global biodiversity databases such as iNaturalist and GBIF.

Creation of the National Nature Park “Skhidnyi Steppe” as a means of preserving natural ecosystems in Northeastern Ukraine

The remnants of natural steppes in Northeastern Ukraine are represented in small areas, interconnected by riverbeds or large, extensive ravines and gullies. The presence of a large number of plant and animal species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine is the basis for granting of national protection status to these territories. The total territory of the prospective National Nature Park (NNP) “Skhidnyi Steppe” includes three clusters: Vovchanskyi, Burlutskyi and Kupyansko-Shevchenkivskyi, its total area is 22272.0 hectares. The future park covers the existing reserves "Vovchansky" and "Siverskodonetsky", the regional landscape park "Velykoburluk Steppe" (4 segments), and several reserves of a small area. In addition to the steppe areas, it is planned to include forests and meadow areas. The flora and fauna of the territory to be protected are of high conservation value: 25 species of vascular plants are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine; 63 species are listed in the Red List of Kharkiv region; 17 species of chalk outcrops and chalk steppes are relics; 49 animal species are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine; 100 animal species are listed in Annexes 2 and 3 of the Berne Convention, 27 bird species are included in the lists of Bonn Convention; 33 animal species are in the List of rare species and species requiring protection in the Kharkiv Region. In addition, the proposed park hosts groups of 11 formations included in the Green Book of Ukraine and 16 habitats in need of protection under the Berne Convention. The purpose of the establishment of the National Nature Park “Skhidnyi Steppe” is the protection of unique natural areas in Northeastern Ukraine, namely, the last remnants of steppe and meadow ecosystems and forests in steppe gullies, which are an integral part of the gully steppe macrocomplex. The primary task of the future national park is to protect the grasslands. The next step is the restoration of pasture ecosystems as habitats for rare and endangered steppe species. This paper describes the planned NNP as of early 2022; it does not reflect changes caused by the hostilities that began in February 2022 and continue in the northern part to date.

Ecological analysis of bird fauna in the territories of water treatment facilities at Kharkiv region

Purpose. Analysis of the avifauna on the territory of water treatment facilities to assess their importance in the support and conservation of birds at Kharkiv region. Methods. Field survey: records of birds on permanent routes. Statistical analysis. Results. Avifauna of water treatment facilities (hereinafter WTF) at Kharkiv region in 2019 - 2023 amounted to 195 species from 17 orders and 44 families. Passeriformes birds dominated (37.7%; n=159), Charadriiformes (16.6%) and Anseriformes (12.1%) subdominated. A minority of other orders (Accipitriformes (4.5%), Ciconiiformes (3.2%), Columbiformes (3.2%)) was recorded. WTF are important for nesting of 80 species (53.3%; n=195), and are also a trophic base for 44 (27.7%) wandering, 28 (17.6%) migratory and 7 (4.4%) wintering bird species. Among 11 faunal groups, limnophilic 18.5% (n=159), boreal (15.9%) and tropical (13.4%) dominated. The nesting avifauna is formed mainly by tropical (16.9%; n = 80), limnophilic (13.0%) and forest-steppe - 13.0% groups. Conclusions. The research suggests that man-made areas of water treatment facilities are important for maintaining species diversity of birds, as they are a place of concentration of both widespread and rare species during all seasons of the year. In total, 159 species of birds were found nesting or staying in different seasons on the territory of water treatment facilities at Kharkiv region, most of which are rare and endangered: listed in the Red Book of Kharkiv region (15 species) and the Red Book of Ukraine (13 species); species of concern in Europe (Bonn and Bern Conventions).

Distribution of the rare fungus Chlorophyllum agaricoides (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) in Ukraine

The article reports distribution data on a rare fungus Chlorophyllum agaricoides (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) in Ukraine. This species has secotioid fruiting bodies as a result of adaptation of agaricoid fungi to arid environmental conditions. Chlorophyllum agaricoides is on the Red Lists of fungi in several European countries. In Ukraine, it is known from the following regions: Central (Right Bank) Polissya; Right Bank and Kharkiv Forest-Steppe; Donetsk, Right Bank, Left Bank, and Starobilsk Grass-Meadow Steppe; Right Bank and Left Bank Grass Steppe. New records from Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Poltava regions were provided mainly by members of the Facebook group Fungi of Ukraine and added to the list of previously known localities of the fungus. Despite the increased number of finds, C. agaricoides remains a very rare species in Ukraine. Therefore, this species is proposed to be included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and the need of searching for its new localities is emphasized.