Distribution and habitat features of rare orchid species (Orchidaceae Juss.) in the National Park "Nizhnyaya Kama"

Abstract

The orchid species protected in the Republic of Tatarstan are sensitive to certain environmental conditions, therefore, when they are disturbed, they can disappear. As a result of studies carried out in 1998-2022 on the territory of the National Park "Nizhnyaya Kama" (Tatarstan, Russia), maps of the distribution of orchid species were built. It was revealed that only 7 species of orchids are found on the territory of the national park, which is 23% of the total number of orchids in Tatarstan, there are practically no meadow and wet-meadow orchids in the vast areas of meadowlands of the Nizhnekamsk reservoir. The background species is the unprotected Epipactis helleborine, which is noted in 61% of the descriptions with orchid species. The 4 species are noted in the conservation zone, 6 - in the specially protected zone, and 3 - in the recreational area. In dynamics, an increase in the distribution of P. bifolia and P. cucullata was noted. In 2019-2021, 2 habitats of Goodyera repens were found in the conservation zone. However, since 2010, the area of spruce-birch and pine-birch sphagnum communities has sharply decreased, where large populations of P. bifolia were noted. In recent years, D. incarnata has not been recorded since swampy meadows have practically disappeared. Forest species of orchids mainly grow in spruce-pine, coniferous-broad-leaved and coniferous-birch forests with a good moss cover.