Проаналізована біоморфологічна структура ценофлор класів рудеральної рослинності України (класи Stellarietea mediae, Artemisietea vulgaris, Bidentetea, Galio-Urticetea, Plantaginetea majoris, Polygono-Poëtea annuae, Robinietea, Epilobietea angustifolii) за системою організації життєвих форм Раункієра. Ценофлора налічує 1475 видів судинних рослин, що належать до 570 родів і 116 родин. Нараховує: гемікриптофітів – 705 видів (47,8 %), терофітів – 355 (24,1 %), криптофітів – 253 (17,1 %), фанерофітів – 135 (9,2 %), хаме¬фітів – 28 (1,9 %). Встановлено, що десять провідних родин представлені гемікриптофітами – 478 видів, або 55,8 % їх загальної кількості, терофітами – 346 (23,4 %), криптофітами – 126 (8,5 %), фанерофітами – 45 (3,1 %) і хамефітами – 12 (0,8 %). Дається порівняння чисельності видів різних життєвих форм у кла¬сах рудеральної рослинності. Найвищий відсоток фанерофітів у класі Robinietea, хамефітів – Stellarietea mediae, гемікриптофітів – Plantaginetea majoris, криптофітів – Bidentetea, терофітів – Polygono-Poëtea annuae. Дендрограма подібності-відмінності видів розглянутих класів за життєвими формами складаєть¬ся з трьох груп кластерів: перша – Stellarietea mediae і Artemisietea vulgaris, друга – Galio-Urticetea і Robinietea; третю групу утворюють Polygono-Poëtea annuae і Plantaginetea majoris та Bidentetea і Epilobietea angustifolii. Співвідношення між видами спільних життєвих форм аборигенної і адвентивної фракцій ценофлор рудеральної рослинності складає: фанерофіти – 1:0,26, гемікриптофіти – 1:0,14, крип¬тофіти – 1:0,27, терофіти – 1:0,71, хамефіти – 1:0,08. Серед особливо небезпечних інвазійних чужорідних видів рослин, які беруть участь у ценофлорах класів рудеральної рослинності, налічується: фанерофітів – вісім; гемікриптофітів – п’ять; криптофітів – три; терофітів – 15. Видів чужорідних інвазійних рослин, що мають найбільше поширення, у рудеральній ценофлорі налічується: фанерофітів – вісім; гемікрипто¬фітів – три; криптофітів – один, терофітів – шість. Рідкісних видів налічується у рудеральній ценофлорі 12, серед них: фанерофітів – один (Tamarix gracilis), гемікриптофітів – вісім (Linaria biebersteinii, Vincetoxicum rossicum, Senecio borysthenicus, Otites artemisetorum, Chrysopogon gryllus, Stipa capillata, S. lessingiana, S. pulcherrima); криптофітів – два (Agropyron cimmericum, Orchis picta), терофітів – один (Tragopogon borysthenicus).

Having analyzed the collection samples of ornamental cereal plants of the State Dendrological Park "Olexandria" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Bila Tserkva and the Botanical Garden of BNAU, we found that for compositional solutions of the formation of landscape space of territories with the function of nature therapy, the following artistic and decorative principles of selection should be taken into account: plant height (low-growing, medium-growing, "giant" grasses), inflorescence size (short, long), leaf color (gray, green, with variegated leaves, with white longitudinal stripes, with yellow-green longitudinal stripes, with transverse stripes of different widths, red), inflorescence color (green, straw-yellow, silvery, purple), pink. Based on the results of studying the decorative features of ornamental cereal plants and their impact on improving emotional state, reducing stress and creating a harmonious and calming environment for visitors, we propose using ornamental cereal plants for compositional solutions of landscape and architectural spaces with peri-natural functions, which will bring a sense of peace and harmony. After analyzing the collection samples of ornamental cereal plants from the State Dendrological Park “Alexandria” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Bila Tserkva and the Botanical Garden of the BNAU, it was established that for compositional solutions for the formation of landscape space in areas with a nature therapy function, the following artistic and decorative principles of selection should be taken into account: plant height (low-growing, medium-growing, “giant” grasses), inflorescence size (short, long, and those that do not form or rarely form inflorescences), leaf color (blue, green, variegated leaves with white longitudinal stripes, with yellow-green longitudinal stripes, with transverse stripes of various widths, red), inflorescence color (green, straw-yellow, silvery, pink, purple). Based on the research results of decorative features of ornamental cereals and their impact on improving emotional state, reducing stress, and creation a harmonious and calming environment for visitors, we suggest using ornamental grasses for landscape and architectural space design solutions with nature therapy functions, which will bring a sense of peace and harmony. Compositions involving ornamental grasses should be formed from massive plantings of one or several species, with color being secondary in importance to the texture and shape of these arrays. We suggest using the following species: Festuca glauca, Helictotrichon sempervirens (Vill.) Pilg.), Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng., Cortaderia selloana, Phalaris arundinacea L., Calamagrostis acutiflora (Schrad.) DC. ‘Avalanche’, Alopecurus pratensis L. ‘Aureovariegatus’, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. 'Strictus' and ‘Zebrinus’, Imperata cylindric, Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth., Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Hack., Stipa capillata, Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh) Steud. ‘Purple Love’, Pennisetum glaucum R.Br. ‘Purple Baron’. Key words: ornamental cereals, nature therapy, landscape architecture space.

У статті дано оцінку онтогенетичної структури популяцій Trifolium montanum L. та Stipa capillata L. природного заповідника «Михайлівська цілина». Обґрунтовано актуальність і значення популяційних досліджень для охорони та збереження лучно-степових видів рослин. Охарактеризовано територію природного заповідника «Михайлівська цілина» та його рослинність. Описано методику встановлення онтогенетичної структури досліджуваних видів. Дослідженням було охоплено три популяції Trifolium montanum L. та три популяції Stipa capillata L., які зростали на території природного заповідника «Михайлівська цілина» у складі різних рослинних угруповань. Зазначено про наявні відмінності між режимом користування та загрози для популяцій видів, які досліджуються. Встановлено, що для популяцій Trifolium montanum L. в умовах фітоценозів природного заповідника «Михайлівська цілина» характерними є неповнота онтогенетичних спектрів та їх центрованість. Неповні онтогенетичні спектри у всіх досліджуваних популяціях насамперед пов’язані з відсутністю проростків та віргінільних рослин. У складі деяких популяцій також були відсутні іматурні та постгенеративні особини. У всіх популяцій виду відмічалися високі індекси віковості, що свідчить про переважання деградаційних процесів. Особливо це характерно для популяції, яка зростала на новій території заповідника, де не відбувається сінокосіння. Для всіх досліджених популяцій Stipa capillata L., як і у випадку Trifolium montanum L., характерні неповні онтогенетичні спектри. У всіх трьох досліджених популяцій відсутні проростки та сенільні рослини. Лише для однієї популяції характерна наявність субсенільних та відсутність ювенільних рослин, що не є характерним для інших двох популяцій Stipa capillata L. За ознакою симетричності онтогенетичні спектри двох популяцій, які знаходяться на новій території, є центрованими, а тієї, що зростає на історичній території, – лівобічною. Серед досліджених популяцій одна має найнижчі індекси віковості і зростає на історичній території у складі рідкісного рослинного угруповання. Проведений аналіз засвідчив, що в онтогенетичній структурі популяцій видів Trifolium montanum L. та Stipa capillata L. на території «Михайлівської цілини» є низка спільних та відмінних ознак. Прослідковується залежність формування онтогенетичної структури популяцій не лише від едафічних умов та режиму території, але й від фітоценотичного оточення популяцій.

In the process of creating the "Berezivskyi" landscape reserve, surveys were conducted on xerophytic, meadow, and waterlogged habitats located on the slopes and the floor of a ravine. The ravine belongs to the basin of the Merla River. The proposed reserve area is situated in northern Kharkiv Oblast near the village of Berezivka, within the Krasnokutsk territorial community in Bohodukhiv District. Remnants of steppe ecosystems that once dominated this area have survived on the upper slopes but have been affected by human activity and are now primarily used for agriculture. The floristic diversity of the xerophytic vegetation averages 23-26 vascular plant species per 100 m², with some patches supporting up to 40 species. These areas hold phytocoenotic value due to the presence of state-protected plant species, including Adonis vernalis L., Colchicum bulbocodium Ker Gawl., Crocus reticulatus Steven ex Adams, Pulsatilla pratensis (L.) Mill. s.l., and Stipa capillata L. The proposed reserve is also significant for the conservation of Marmota bobak (Müller, 1776), a species listed in Ukraine’s Red Data Book in 2021. A small stream flows along the ravine floor, partially dammed by Castor fiber L., with its lower reaches connected to an artificial pond. These water bodies provide vital habitats for breeding amphibians such as Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758), Pelopylax ridibunda (Pallas, 1771), Rana arvalis (Nilsson, 1842), Bufotes viridis (Laurenti, 1768), Pelobates vespertinus (Lichtenstein, 1823), and Bombina bombina (Linnaeus, 1758). Additionally, a large population of Lacerta agilis (Linnaeus, 1758) inhabits the ravine slopes, with Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758) encountered along the stream banks. All these amphibian and reptile species are included in the appendices of the Bern Convention. The landscape and phytocoenotic diversity within the proposed reserve contribute to a diverse avifauna and entomofauna. Eighteen bird species have been identified to date; though common to Kharkiv Oblast, they require protection under the Bern Convention. One bird species, Grus grus (Linnaeus, 1758), is protected at the national level. Additionally, two insect species listed in Ukraine’s Red Data Book, Xylocopa valga (Linnaeus, 1767) and Hamearis lucina (Linnaeus, 1758), have been recorded, though further studies of the entomofauna are necessary. The primary goal of the proposed reserve is to conserve landscapes typical of the Ukrainian Forest-Steppe, particularly remnant steppe ecosystems, as habitats for rare and endangered species protected at regional, national, and pan-European levels. Another important objective is the restoration of herbaceous biotopes that have experienced heavy grazing impacts in the past, mainly along the ravine floor and lower gentle slopes. The area has additional conservation value because, at the time of writing, it has remained unaffected by the destructive impacts of ongoing hostilities.

The position of the Lublin and Volyn (Volhynian) uplands within the geobotanical zonation system is ambiguous and disputable. An analysis of the syntaxonomical diversity and landscape distribution of the egetation of the Lublin and Volyn uplands revealed their similarity, and we consider this whole territory as the Lublin-Volyn geobotanical district of hornbeam-oak, oak forests, and steppe meadows. This district differs from the adjacent territories and is classified within the Central European mixed forests ecoregion. Typical and diagnostic syntaxa have been identified, and ecological-coenotic profiles have been constructed to characterize the distribution patterns of shrub-forest and herbaceous vegetation within the landscape. Based on calculations of phytosociological indicators for the main ecological factors, graphical patterns of their variation were developed. It was determined that the characteristic forests of the district, Tilieto-Carpinetum (Carpinion betulis), are represented by four variants (T.-C. var. galeobdolosum; T.-C. var. hepaticosum; T.-C. var. caricosum pilosae; T.-C. var. isopyrosum). The district is also characterized by the presence of syntaxa associated with carbonate soils, both of the marsh type (Caricion davallianae) and the meadow-steppe type (Cirsio-Brachypodion, Festucion valesiacae), with the dominance of Carex humilis and Stipa capillata. Using DCA-analysis, the correlation between ecological factor indicators and the distribution of plant communities within the ecological space has been established, forming six fields distributed along three vectors: by moisture (aquatic and marsh communities), xerophytism, and chemical properties of soils (meadow-steppe communities), as well as the structure of coenoses with a specific ombroregime (forest communities).

Introduction. The impact of fires on local changes in plant communities is an urgent environmental problem in many regions of the world. The scientific novelty of the research is confirmed by the fact that analyzing the phytocenoses reaction to pyrogenic effects is important due to the fact that vegetation is the basis of the native animals habitat and their food resources, as well as ecosystem processes. The purpose of the work is to assess the environmental risks of reducing productivity as well as forecast the recovery time of desert - dry - steppe pasture phytocenoses under the influence of a pyrogenic factor. Materials and methods. Patterns of post - pyrogenic successions of vegetation cover were revealed over the period 2021-2024 in areas exposed to fires in 2020. Research methods included field geobotanical descriptions and data analysis using Microsoft Excel, STATGRAPHICS+5.0 software. Statistical indicators of yield dynamics were calculated for each type of pasture and various soil conditions using an adapted data series analysis technique during the studying of the time aspect of the phenomenon. A cluster analysis based on the “nearest neighbor” principle was carried out using an agglomerative hierarchical classification algorithm. Results and discussion. Fires are a powerful factor affecting vegetation and soil, leading to the transformation of natural ecosystems. On average, over 4 years, the yield of background formations on sandy soils reached 0.80-1.06 t/ha, on loamy soils - 0.81-1.01 t/ha. The yield of pyrogenic formations on sandy soils did not exceed 0.57-0.85 t/ha, on loamy soils - 0.56-0.64 t/ha. There is an increase in the average rate of growth of pyrogenic formations yield, especially: breadbasket - white - wormwood - prutnyak on brown sandy loam soils (98%), white - wormwood - Breadbasket on brown sandy loam soils (43.4%), feather grass on brown loamy soils (46.7%), feather grass (Stipa capillata) on brown sandy loam soils (45.1%). Conclusion. In the year of the summer - autumn fires, aeolian processes are intensifying, species diversity and projective cover of the grass stand sharply is decreasing. An aerotope is formed according to the surface type of filling, and the loss of Artemisia lercheana reduces the productivity of autumn - winter and early spring pastures. From the second year after the fire, the average yield growth rate of all pasture grasses increases significantly, the percentage participation of Stipa, Agropyron, Festuca valesiaca, Bassia prostrata, Koeleria macrantha, Carex stenophylla, Tanacetum millefolium, Galatella villosa, Calamagrostis epigeios increases in the composition of communities. The natural restoration of the herbage gross yield and the projective cover on the burned areas till the background level does not occur earlier than 3, 4 years after the fire. Suggestions for practical application and direction of future research. Understanding the response of plant communities to fire makes it possible to develop effective strategies for the restoration and stabilization of pyrogenic formations in order to increase the supply of nutrients to the soil and improve its hydrological function. The results of the research can be useful in the use and restoration of fire - affected areas for using them as pastures.

Feeding habits and competitive interactions among dominant grasshopper species in the Xinjiang grasslands (China) were studied under natural conditions through microscopic analyses of insect crop contents. Sex-specific and interindividual differences in feeding habits and interspecific competition were investigated. Analyses of ecological niche width and overlap revealed potential competition among grasshoppers. The results showed significant difference in the sex-specific variations in the feeding habits of the seven grasshoppers; sex-specific variations in feeding range and preferred plants were observed, with females feeding more extensively on host plants, and female and male adults choosing to feed on different plant species. Individuals of all seven grasshoppers showed different degrees of dietary variance, with oligophagous grasshoppers (Oedaleus decorus males, Dericorys annulata, and Bryodema gebleri males) showing a smaller degree of individual dietary variance than polyphagous grasshoppers (Oedipoda caerulescens, Calliptamus coelesyriensis females, Calliptamus barbarus, and Notostaurus albicornis); Calliptamus coelesyriensis and Notostaurus albicornis showed the greatest individual variance in their diets. Oedaleus decorus, Bryodema gebleri, and Calliptamus barbarus consumed primarily Poaceae and exhibited varying foot-plant choice. For example, Oedaleus decorus was observed to have high- preference feeding for Poa annua, Bryodema gebleri for Stipa capillata, and Calliptamus barbarus for Setaria viridis. Dericorys annulata fed primarily on Amaranthaceae, Notostaurus albicornis fed primarily on Poaceae and Amaranthaceae, and Oedipoda caerulescens fed primarily on Asteraceae. Calliptamus barbarus exhibited strong interspecific competition with Oedaleus decorus and Calliptamus coelesyriensis, and Bryodema gebleri demonstrated the strongest interspecific competition with all six other species. Considering the influence of sex on interspecific competition among grasshoppers enhances our understanding of interspecific competitive relationships.

A study of the bioavailability of a tightly bound tritium in the soil in situ under the conditions of the Semipalatinsk test site (STS) and in a laboratory vegetation experiment was conducted. Significant concentrations of organically bound tritium (OBT) were recorded in Stipa capillata plants growing on the territory of the STS. At the same time, tritium in the free water of plant tissues (TFWT) was not detected. In a model experiment using Cucumis sativus culture, the specific activity of tightly bound tritium in the composition of the solid phase of the soil and tritiated water (HTO) in the composition of the soil solution at the beginning and at the end of the experiment differed significantly. At the same time, TFWT activity in Cucumis sativus was 2 orders of magnitude less compared to the activity of tightly bound tritium in the soil and slightly differed from the activity of tritiated water in the soil solution, which is accessible to the root system of plants. The results of vegetation studies have shown that the direct source of tritium for experimental plants was a soil solution. However, changes in the tritium activity in the soil liquid and solid phases in vegetation vessels indicate that the source of tritiated water in the soil solution was a tightly bound form of radionuclide as a result of leaching processes. It is assumed that the possible causes of leaching of tightly bound radionuclide from the solid phase into the soil solution are the moisture regime, as well as the influence of the rhizosphere of plants.

Taking a pumped storage power station in the northwest cold and arid regions as an example, this paper summarizes the construction technology and method of wound vegetation restoration in the upper and lower reservoir connecting road project of pumped storage power station in the northwest cold and arid regions, as well as the system of measures including the selection of suitable plants, the design of soil covering engineering, the design of plant measures and the construction technology. The soil covering engineering and plant measures were designed according to different wound types. The soil preparation of the Yurian pit and the ridge outside the pit were constructed with planting bags, arbor and shrubs were planted inside the pit, Picea asperata Mast. was selected for arbor and Juniperus sabina L. for shrubs, and forest vegetation blanket was used on the upper slope with a gentle slope, and shrubs and grass seeds were mainly planted with Poa annua L., Stipa capillata L. and Artemisia frigida Willd. The above vegetation restoration measures were designed. It greatly reduces soil and water loss in the reservoir area, improves vegetation coverage in the reservoir area, and enriches plant diversity, making the wound surface of the upper and lower reservoir connecting road of pumped storage power station gradually restore to the natural environment plant community state before the destruction.

The article presents the results of many years of research into the desert vegetation of the Ketpen ridge. The paper presents an analysis of the desert vegetation of the Ketpen ridge. Within the study area, desert vegetation is represented by various communities. Communities with Artemisia stand out here, these are Artemisia terrae-albae; Salsola orientalis + Artemisia terrae albae, and Salsola orientalis + Artemisia terrae - albae + Haloxylon aphyllum associations. The total projective cover in these communities ranges from 25 to 70%, artemisia cover is 25-30%. They always include short-vegetating (Poa bulbosa, 8-10%) and long-vegetating (Stipa caucasica, 15-25%). Subshrubs include Salsola orientalis, Salsola arbusculiformis, Anabasis salsa, and Nanophyton erinaceum. Annual saltwort species are also abundant: Petrosimonia sibirica, Climacoptera brachiata, Girgensohnia oppositiflora, Climacoptera lanata. These communities are more saturated with ephemerals and ephemeroids, forming ephemeral-artemisia groups of communities. Artemisia sublessingiana + Artemisia terrae-albae stand out; Stipa caucasica + Artemisia sublessingiana + Artemisia sublessingiana; Artemisia terrae-albae + Stipa capillata; Ceratocarpus utriculosus + Artemisia terrae-albae associations. The grass herbage contains: Festuca sulcata, Poa stepposa, Poa bulbosa, Stipa caucasica; from forbs - Ceratocarpus utriculosus, C. arenaria, Climacoptera brachiata, as well as weeds and poisonous plants: Goebelia pachycarpa, Acroptilon repens, Xanthium strumarium, Urtica dioica, Atriplex tatarica and others.

The study investigates the current distribution of rare plant species within the ravine system "Balka Shchurivska" and provides justification for granting the site protected area status. The research examines the presence of rare plant species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, the Red List of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and international conservation lists. Field surveys conducted from 2020-2023 revealed the presence of 26 regionally rare plant species, 13 species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, 3 species from Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention and annexes of the Habitats Directive represented in Ukraine's flora, and 1 species from the IUCN Red List. Notable rare species found include Pulsatilla pratensis, Adonis vernalis, and Stipa capillata. The study highlights the importance of the area for biodiversity conservation and recommends its designation as a landscape reserve of national importance.

The article discusses the population parameters of a rare relict species Lomelosia austroaltaica in the territory of the Kalba Upland in the Kazakhstan Altai. It has been established that the population is located in the Eastern Kalba on the Medvedka Mountain (Koktau Mountains) as part of the feather grass-lomelosia phytocenosis. The total area occupied by phytocenosis with the participation of Lomelosia austroaltaica, is 2.5 hectares. Vegetation cover is poorly formed, represented by 30 species of flowering plants. The structure and appearance of the phytocenosis are determined by the dominants Stipa capillata- cop2, S. pennata - cop1. In ecological terms, the species composition of the higher vascular plants of the surveyed phytocenosis is formed by xeropetrophytes - 20 species (66.7 %), xeromesophytes - 7 species (23.3 %), mesophytes - 3 species (10 %). The total projective cover is 44.4 %, the proportion of Lomelosia austroaltaica in the phytobiota is 22.2 %, i. e. according to its coenotic features, the species is an assectator. Individuals are scattered and unevenly distributed over the area, their height ranges from 28 to 48 cm (33.6 ± 7.4.6), forming loose sods 47.9 ± 5.2 cm in diameter from 46.3 ± 7.2 cm vegetative and 51.3 ± 10.5 cm generative shoots. A direct dependence of seed productivity on the number of formed heads on a generative shoot was revealed. Mass flowering of individuals was recorded in the second decade of June, the period of seed ripening is late August - early September. The population is normal, incomplete, the age spectrum is left-sided. The ratio of young and adult fractions (pl + j + im) : (v + g) = 11.8 : 7.8 indicates a stable state of the population at the present stage. Mainly seeds maintain the number of individuals. The species needs state protection.

Worldwide increases in nitrogen deposition rates are influenced by human activities. Although the total amount of N deposition tends to be stable in our country, atmospheric N deposition of the reactive N forms (NO4+-N, NH4+; NO3−-N, NO3−) is remarkably different, and the ratios of NH4+ to NO3− change continuously. Nutrient resorption is a crucial driver of plant nutrient conservation strategies and litter quality. Therefore, the plant nutrient resorption pattern has remarkable ecological significance for nutrient cycling and the community structure of the ecosystem. However, previous studies have found that plants have different preferences in NH4+ and NO3−, and the response of nutrient resorption to different N forms remains unclear. In 2017 and 2018, we conducted field experiments simulating five NO3− and NH4+ addition ratios to examine the responses of the nutrient resorption of the dominant species, Stipa capillata, in the alpine grassland of northwest China. Results showed that N addition treatments did not affect the nutrient resorption efficiencies. The results showed that N application had little effect on soil inorganic N composition, so there was no significant change in the nutrient resorption efficiencies. In addition, the nutrient resorption efficiencies were unaffected across the five different ratios of nitrate and NH4+ addition, suggesting that nutrient resorption was not only controlled by the nutrient supply and nutrient form. Our results have important implications in understanding the significance of the frequency of N addition due to N loss through leaching and denitrification. The results also highlight that low intensity and high frequency N addition are required to investigate the response of plant nutrient resorption to the N supply in the future study.

The studies were carried out on the floristic, geobotanical and resource assessment in Zardab and Ujar districts in 2020-2021 and 87 species belonging to 12 families were registered in the composition of coenosis. 12 species (Poa bulbosa L., Poa pratensisL., Artemisia lerchiana Weber, Chenopodium album L., Bromus scoparius L., Alhagi maurorum Medik., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Climacoptera crassa (M. Bieb.), Stipa capillata L., Brassica napus L., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Alyssum tortuosum Willd. (= Odontarrhena tortuosa (Waldst. et Kit. ex Will.) C. A. Mey.)) distinguished for their long-term participation in the composition of the groupings were determined. The dynamics of productivity in coenoses were assessed by seasons and it was found that they changed in the range of 1.44-1.91 hwt/ha (in spring), 0.65-1.55 hwt/ha (in summer), 1.02-1.76 hwt/ha (in autumn). The dominance of forbs on botanical groupings was revealed.

Natural habitat of Community interest 62C0* Ponto-Sarmatian steppes is very important at European level due to its high biodiversity. The aim of the paper is to study the grassland systems within the habitat 62C0* Sarmatic pontoon steps and to characterize them from an ecological and agronomic point of view. The floristic studies were carried out on the permanent grasslands of the biogeographical region ROSCI 0201 North Dobrogean Plateau, which for the most part belong to the Natural Habitat of Community Interest 62C0 * Sarmatian pontoon steps. Following the classifications (cluster) resulted 4 groups such as: type Cynodon dactylon, type Bothriochloa ischaemum - Festuca valesiaca, type Festuca valesiaca and type Festuca valesiaca - Stipa capillata.

The article provides data on new locations of communities of the steppes with Stipa capillata L. in the Kursk Region. The described communities are classified as associations Gypsophilo altisssimae–Stipetum capillatae Poluyanov 2009 and Falcario vulgaris–Stipetum capillatae Poluyanov in Poluyanov et Averinova 2012. The new subassociation Falcario vulgaris–Stipetum capillatae thymetosum marschalliani subass. nov. is established. In communities of the ass. Gypsophilo altissimae–Stipetum capillatae the indicators of the projective cover of Stipa capillata have increased, while the phytocoenotic role of S. pennata, on the contrary, has noticeably decreased. The species richness of communities has decreased and the homogeneity of vegetation has increased. A group of weed and weed-steppe species, such as Conyza canadensis, Echium vulgare, Daucus carota, Poterium sanguisorba, Lactuca serriola, Stachys annua, etc., has fallen out of the coenoflora of the syntaxon. Is is caused by the cessation of grazing, which led to constant disruption of phytocoenoses, contributed to the penetration of weed species into them and an increase in floristic heterogeneity, as well as to general climatic changes leading to xerophytization of habitats and to the strengthening of the phytocoenotic positions of Stipa capillata.

Based on the analysis of more than 17,000 vegetation plots (relevés), the participation of 261 protected species (254 vascular plants, six lichens, and one bryophyte) in 30 EUNIS grassland habitat types was revealed. Vegetation plots were assigned to the habitat types using the EUNIS-ESy expert system with further verification. We consider as protected species those listed in the current edition of the Red Data Book of Ukraine, Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention, Annexes II and IV of the Habitat Directive, and the IUCN Red List (only categories VU, EN, CR). The participation of protected species was studied according to the following three criteria: (1) the total number of protected species in the plots assigned to a certain habitat type, (2) the number of plots in which at least one protected species is present, and (3) the mean number of protected species per plots within each habitat type. True steppes (R1B) and meadow steppes (R1A) differed with a significant predominance of the total number of protected species. Arctic alpine calcareous grassland (R44) and Continental dry rocky steppic grassland and dwarf scrub on chalk outcrops (R15) had the largest proportion of plots with protected species and the highest mean numbers of protected species per relevé. Saline habitats, in particular Temperate inland salt marsh (R63) and Semi desert salt pan (R64), were characterized by the smallest number of plots with protected species. Among all species, Gymnadenia conopsea, Stipa capillata, Colchicum autumnale and Gladiolus imbricatus occurred in the largest number of studied habitat types. Based on the results of the analysis, appropriate ways of optimizing the protection of grassland habitats and protected species are proposed.

The article presents a taxonomic, biomorphological, geographical analysis of the biodiversity of the flora of herbaceous species of pine forests of the Irtysh region, which is represented by 168 plant species belonging to 116 genera and 42 families. Analysis of the largest flora families of herbaceous species shows that the dominant communities are Artemisia L. — Festucaria Heist. ex Fabr. and Artemisia L. — Poaceae Barnhart (Artemisia L., Festuca Heist. ex Fabr., Stipa capillata L.) phytocenoses. In all the studied sites, the following plant species are dominates or codominants of Festuca rupicola Heuff., Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn., Stipa capillata L., Artemisia vulgaris L., Carex supina Willd. ex Wahlenb., Spiraea hypericifolia L. The flora is based on angiosperms, including dicotyledons — 137 species (81 %); monocotyledons — 28 species (16.6 %). Gymnosperms are represented by two species of Pinus sylvestris L., Juniperus sabina L., and there is also one species of Eguisetum arvense L. horsetail. The richness of the flora is also emphasized by some quantitative indicators of its taxonomic composition: the average species saturation of one family is 4, the maximum is 36. There are 9 rich families with the number of species above the average (21.4 % of the total number of families), and 22 the poorest, single — species families (52.3 %). The top ten leading families contain 71 % of the total floral diversity. The high level of floristic diversity of the studied territory is due to the variety of ecological conditions of plant habitats (the valley of the Irtysh River with a high variation in moisture and salinity, a variety of rocks of the adjacent riverside uplands) and anthropogenic activities leading to an increase in weed and adventitious plant species.

Data on the morphology of fruits and seeds is important in plant identification, especially for botanical gardens, which receive a significant part of planting material in the form of seeds. We studied 18 seed samples of 7 feather grass species listed in the Red Data Book of the Nizhny Novgorod region, obtained from various botanical gardens: Stipa capillata L. (5 samples), S. dasyphylla (Lindem.) Trautv. (2 samples), S. lessingiana Trin. et Rupr. (3 samples), S. pennata L. (2 samples), S. pulcherrima K. Koch (2 samples), S. sareptana A. K. Becker (2 samples), S. tirsa Steven. (2 samples). For each sample, the weight of 1000 seeds, their average dimensions (length, width, ratio of width and length) and the percentage of completed seeds were determined. Seeds were weighed and measured in flakes (regardless of completion, as they come from other orchards, without awns) and cleaned, completed grains. Samples were identified, the species affiliation of which is doubtful, and which, after growing and flowering, must be identified more accurately. The data can be used to compare the quality of seeds from different origins, to reject questionable samples, or to decide whether they should be examined further.

The results of conservation of the gene pool of the Crimean flora in the Main Botanical Garden (MBG) since 1945 are analyzed. About 240 taxa have been identified, of which about half are promising for ex situ conservation. The experience of creating a new collection of Crimean flora is presented, for which the results of the introduction of 9 taxa for more than 5 years and the features of seed germination of 4 taxa in laboratory conditions were studied. A low percentage of germination of seed samples collected in natural conditions is shown: Stipa capillata, Scabiosa argentea, Xeranthemum annum. The germination of seeds of the potentially invasive species Spartium junceum was studied with four variants of pre-sowing treatment: soaking, scalding, scarification and no treatment. The conducted studies have shown that the best indicators of seed germination of Spartium junceum after pre-sowing treatment in the form of scalding. Taxa promising for further conservation under the conditions of the MBG have been identified.