Conservation state of populations of rare plant species in highly transformed meadow steppes of Southern Opillya

Degradation of natural habitats causes rapid extinction of rare plant populations. The diversity of rare plant species in the meadow steppes of Southern Opillya (Western Ukraine) depends strongly on patch area, pasture digression of vegetation and a variety of ecocoenotical conditions. The main threats for the rare components of the meadow steppe flora are reduction of habitat and overgrazing. Spatial connections between sites are unable to support a constant rare plant population. The analysis of the composition of rare plant meadowsteppe species indicated that habitats with similar rare species composition usually have similar parameters of area, stages of pasture digression and eco-coenotical conditions. Spatial connectivity of patches does not ensure species similarity of rare components of the flora. Rare plant species were grouped according to their preferences for habitat, area and condition. In small patches subject to any stage of pasture digression grow populations of Adonis vernalis L., Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill., P. grandis Wender., Stipa capillata L., S. pennata L., Chamaecytisus blockianus (Pawl.) Klaskova etc. On the contrary, populations of other species (Carlina onopordifolia Besser. ex Szafer., Kuecz. et Pawl., Adenophora liliifolia (L.) Ledeb. ex A. DC., Crambe tataria Sebeok, Euphorbia volhynica Besser ex Racib., Stipa tirsa Stev. etc.) prefer large habitats, not changed by pasture digression. Prevention of reduction of rare species diversity requires preservation (also extension) of patch area and regulation of grazing intensity.