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The present state of Ophioglossaceae family in Ukraine

PARNIKOZA I.YU.

Kyiv Ecological & Cultural Center (KECC) 37-48, Rajduzhna Str., Kyiv, 02218, Ukraine e-mail: parnikoza@gmail.com

Despite the rareness and vulnerability of Ophioglossaceae both in Ukraine and in Europe, ecological valence, ranges and phytocoenological preferences of five Ukrainian species of the family are still virtually unresearched. We compared literature data (Flora of URSR, 1938, and later references), herbaria (KW) and our own data in order to analyse the state of extant Ukrainian Ophioglossaceae populations and their conservation regulations and to provide recommendations for improving said regulations. Due to upcoming reissuing of Red Book of Ukraine, this problem becomes most urgent.

Botrichium virginianum (L.) Sw. and B. matricariifolium A. Br. ex Koch. belong to the most rare Ukrainian Ophioglossaceae species. The former species was found in 9 locations, the latter - in 2 locations from ХІХ century to 1980. From 1980, both species has been found in a single location each (Parnikoza, 2005; Melnik et al., 2006). Before 1980, other species of the family were more abundant: for В. multifidum (S. G. Gmel.) Rupr. more than 36 populations were recorded, for B. lunaria (L.) Sw. – more than 76, for Ophioglossum vulgatum L. – more than 85. But from 1980 В. multifidum was reported only in 10 locations, B. lunaria– in 20, O. vulgatum – in 40. Therefore, numbers of populations of all Ophioglossaceae species are rapidly decreasing.

Most of known extant Ophioglossaceae populations aren’t large. Exceptions are rare – the populations of В. multifidum at Trukhaniv Isl., Kyiv, of B. lunaria at Kremenets and some other (Chubata, Boiko, 2003; Parnikoza, Tsukanova, 2005, etc.).

Analysis of ecological characteristics of Ophioglossaceae populations of Ukraine and adjacent countries reveals wide range of ecological conditions in which the family can be found. But references and our data aren’t sufficient enough to make ultimate conclusions on that account.

Most of extant Ophioglossaceae populations are found out of borders of territories of nature conservation of Ukraine.

Considering all noted above, all of Ukrainian Ophioglossaceae species must be enlisted in Red Book of Ukraine, which is the only real protection for endangered species, enforced by law. It is necessary to establish 3 national nature parks – «Dniprovskiy», «Mijrichenskiy», «Siversko-Donetckiy», and no less then 9 new zakazniks: near old cemetery of Kremenets, Ternopil district; «Bogunija» and «Tkhorinskyy» in Zhytomyr distirct; «Stavkovyy Jar» (in Vyshgorod) and «Kluch-trava» (in Velyka Bugajivka) in Kyiv District; «Gronanka» (32 square of Svatoshin forestry of Svatoshin forestry), «Lake Babyne

– Peninsula Lisovyy», «Svatoshinski Stavy» and «Vysokyy Loug» in Kyiv; also, to enlarge the territories of Kaniv Natural Reserve, National Nature Parks «Golosiivskyy» and «Vyjnytskyy» and of Verhn’oesmanskyy Landscape Zakaznik. It is also necessary to conserve all of disclosed Ophioglossaceae locations and habitats with similar ecological conditions, in which this ferns might exist. Such habitats can be discovered by containing species of Orchidaceae, Pyrolaceae та Bryophyta, which ecological preferences are similar to those of investigated ferns.

Annual research must be provided for recorded Ophioglossaceae populations, in order to work out conservation regulations. Abundance, age classes, success of spore germination and reproducing and resilience in successions should be studied.

Експериментальна ботаніка / Экспериментальная ботаника / Experimental Botany