Scientific Issue Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University. Series: Biology

Echinops exaltatus Schrad., a perennial Asteraceae species, serves as a pivotal component in the balanced management of nature in Western Podillia, Ukraine, encompassing Prydnistrovia, Pryzbruchchia, Satanivska Dacha, and Kamianets-Podilskyi district. In the context of climate change (i.e. temperature increases of up to +37 °C, erratic precipitation of 10–30 mm), and anthropogenic factors (e.g. urbanisation and war-induced degradation, which have affected over 10 million ha of land in Ukraine between 2022 and 2025), the 2024–2025 study comprehensively assessed the impact of climatic factors (i.e. temperature 20–37 °C, humidity 50–80 %, precipitation 10–30 mm) and growth conditions (i.e. sunny areas, shaded zones, periodic mowing to 10 cm) on morphological traits, seed productivity, nectar yield and ecological adaptability.
The experimental design comprised eight plots (with six replicates per condition to enhance statistical reliability) in natural ecosystems (Satanivska Dacha as a reference) and anthropogenic agroecosystems. Multiple linear regression, two-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test, and biodiversity models (Shannon index for pollinator impact assessment) were used. The findings indicated substantial detrimental impacts of heat stress (β = -15.75, p < 0.001) and waterlogging (β = -8.25, p < 0.001) on plant height (R² = 0.870). These stresses have the potential to exacerbate soil erosion and biodiversity loss, leading to a 15-20% decline in pollinator populations in shaded areas due to pest infestations (aphids). Sunny conditions have been shown to optimise morphological parameters (height 175 ± 5 cm, stem diameter 2.3 ± 0.2 cm), seed productivity (200 ± 20 seeds/inflorescence, viability 85 ± 5 %) and nectar yield (1200 kg/ha over 36 days flowering). These results surpass those of traditional honey plants (buckwheat – 200 kg/ha, phacelia – 170 kg/ha) and reinforce the sustainability of beekeeping in the context of 20–25% honey yield reductions in 2024–2025 due to war and climate anomalies.
The practice of cultivating crops on degraded lands (wastelands, ravines with a pH range of 6.5–7.8) has been shown to have several key benefits. Firstly, it has been demonstrated that this method can restore soil fertility, with an increase in humus of between 1–2 % over a period of two years. Secondly, it has been observed that this practice can enhance biodiversity, as evidenced by an increase in the Shannon index from 1.5 to 2.8, which is attributable to the attraction of pollinators. Thirdly, it has been shown to reduce erosion and foster ecosystem resilience, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 and 15. The pharmacological potential of echinopsine alkaloid (which includes neurostimulatory, cardioprotective, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties) has the potential to open avenues for novel drug development, with the result that it can be integrated into the bioeconomy. Genetic variability (65–80 % polymorphism via RAPD markers) ensures a high degree of adaptability to anthropogenic pressures, including war contaminations. The study’s innovation lies in its comprehensive ecological modelling of causal relationships between climatic factors, growth conditions, and ecosystem services, with recommendations for integration into degraded land restoration programmes (avoid shading due to pest risks, optimise sowing at 3 cm depth, conduct agroecological monitoring using GIS technologies, and investigate microplastics and war pollutants’ impact on productivity). The findings of the study propose a strategy for sustainable agroecosystem development in Ukraine, promoting biodiversity and regional economic recovery.

Echinops exaltatus Schrad.; degraded lands restoration; biodiversity; nectar productivity; climate change; Western Podillia.

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