CONSERVATION OF RARE FOREST SPECIES OF VASCULAR PLANTS IN THE SYSTEM OF NATURE PROTECTION MEASURES OF MEZYNSKYI NATIONAL NATURE PARK

Abstract

The article characterizes the peculiarities of the formation of forest ecosystems as centers for the distribution of rare species within the territory of Mezyn National Nature Park. The research area is notable for its diverse ecotopic conditions, which support a wide variety of forest species of vascular plants and corresponding communities, including oak, linden-oak, maple-linden-oak, linden, and hornbeam-oak forests.
The forest group of vascular plant flora in the territory of Mezynskyi NNP includes 18 species, with 10 species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and 8 species having regional protection status in Chernihiv Oblast. Among the forest species from the Red Data Book of Ukraine, the non-moral group predominates, including Neottia nidus-avis, Listera ovata, Epipactis atrorubens, Epipactis helleborine, Platanthera bifolia, Platanthera chlorantha, Lilium martagon, and Allium ursinum.
Among the species of vascular plants in forest ecosystems that are protected at the regional level in Chernihiv region, within the study area, 7 species of the division Polypodiophyta are distinguished, specifically: Dryopteris cristata, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Polypodium vulgare, Polystichum aculeatum, P. brauni, and Phegopteris connectilis.
Anthropogenic impacts on the forest areas of Mezyn NNP, including on rare species of vascular plants, can be classified into the following groups: production and traditional economy, recreational activities, forestry activities and control measures, and violation of the protected area. The greatest impact of the recreational factor is on recreational forest areas and areas around settlements.
The development of measures and plans for the protection of rare species will ensure the principles of protecting forest ecosystems as a whole (general) and their individual components (special). The article presents a system of environmental measures for the protection and conservation of rare forest species of vascular plants, and suggests measures for further conservation and monitoring of these species. To address the issues of conserving rare species, the article recommends optimizing the zoning system of the park territory, expanding the protected area, and including existing protected areas and habitats of rare flora species within its composition.