CONSERVATION OF RARE AND PROTECTED PLANT SPECIES UNDER A STRICT NON-INTERVENTION REGIME: PROBLEMS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS (A CASE STUDY OF THE KANIV NATURE RESERVE)

Abstract

The successions caused by protecting natural areas that occur in absolutely protected areas lead to various-scale and various-qualitative changes in forest, steppe, meadow, and swamp vegetation. The results of this process quite often contradict many of the objectives of nature reserves. In particular, when monitoring populations of protected vascular plant species in the Kaniv Nature Reserve facts of the disappearance of their individual populations were detected. The most vulnerable populations are represented by single individuals (Cephalanthera rubra, Huperzia selago), which are among the first to disappear. Due to the change of sparse shrub vegetation to shady forest plant communities, the reduction of illumination of the lower layers of the ecosystem, and a radical change in soil and hydrological conditions of habitats, populations of three species (Dactylorhiza incarnata, Liparis loeselii, Neottia ovata) disappeared in one of the sites. Due to the growth of Amorpha fruticosa, the local population of Anacamptis palustris. Chase was completely eliminated. It can be proposed the definition of conservation priorities for different areas within nature reserves and, the development of various management measures. Quite effective measures for the management of these areas include adequate regulatory impacts on habitats (cutting down woody vegetation with subsequent mowing, mechanical removal of invasive species, scientifically based, regulated, limited grazing of livestock in developed lands and the natural lands (grasslands) of protected areas, dissemination of thickened self-seeding of rare and protected plant species in habitats suitable for their further development, timely transfer of part of the population to habitats suitable for their long-term growth). At the same time, working with species included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine according to the procedure established by the Law requires the need for permits from the government based on the decision of the National Committee on the Red Data Book of Ukraine. In practice, this approach significantly slows down the implementation of relevant work and blocks the possibility of any timely initiative on the ground. In this regard, it is obvious that amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On the Nature Reserve Fund" are needed to grant possibilities to the administrations of the protected areas to apply active forms of plant protection, including the repatriation of their populations.