Geo&Bio (Dec 2020)
Geographical distribution and habitats of Gentiana cruciata L. (Gentianaceae) in Ukraine in the light of a new record locality of the species in the Volyn Upland
Abstract
The star gentian (Gentiana cruciata L.) is an herbaceous perennial plant of the Gentianaceae family, is included in either Red Data Books or Red Lists of nine European countries and Lists of regional rare species of two regions of Ukraine. G. criciata occurs mainly in Central and Eastern Europe, Western Siberia, and the Caucasus. Geographical distribution, phytocoenotic conditions and current state of populations of G. cruciata was studied in Ukraine. This species occurs in the plain part of Ukraine (forest steppe zone, left bank steppe zone, extreme south part of Polissia) and southern and eastern part of the Ukrainian Carpathians. A separate exclave of the species range is located in the Crimean peninsula (mainly in the Crimean Mountains and an isolated location in the Tarkhankut Peninsula). G. cruciata is rare in the Ukrainian Carpathians and in the plains of Ukraine. This plant prefers dry calcareous soils on marl, chalk and loess deposits. Its participation in plant communities is very low (less than 1 %). The largest lowland population of the species was found in Barmakivske tract near Rivne in the Volhynian Upland represented by near a thousand adult individuals and occupies the ecotone between a Festucetalia–Brometea meadow steppe and a meadow community. In the Crimean Mountains, G. cruciata is a component of the meadow steppe dominated by Alchemilla species. Analysis of G. cruciata populations in Ukraine showed a qualitative differentiation depending on the natural habitats. Homeostatic population with high number of specimens and complete ontogenetic state are very rare in lowland part of Ukraine. The largest known population of G. cruciata is located in Barmakivske tract (Rivne region). Anthropogenic degradation of natural ecosystems with disturbation of soils and overgrowth of grassy communities by trees and shrubs are threatening for G. cruciata populations. As rare vulnerable species, G. cruciata should be included into the new edition of the Red Data Book of Ukraine.
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