Kulymbet K, Mukhitdinov N, Kubentayev S, Tynybayeva K, Tastanbekova A, Kurmanbayeva M, Gafforov Y, Kaparbay R, Zhumagul M. 2023. The current state of the cenopopulations of Adonis tianschanica (Adolf) Lipsch. (Ranunculaceae) in Southeast Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 24: 4359-4372. Adonis tianschanica (Adolf) Lipsch. is a rare, sub-endemic species growing in the Tien Shan mountains with declining numbers, making it listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. The aim of the study is to investigate the distribution and abundance of A. tianschanica cenopopopulations (CP) in its natural habitats in southeastern Kazakhstan as well as assess soil characteristics, biological and arealogical features, including the ontogenetic structure of cenopopopulations. Five cenopopulations (CP) of A. tianschanica were identified, namely two CPs in Ketmen Ridge (Kegen Pass), two CPs in Dzungarian Alatau (Tekeli Gorge) and one CP in Terskey Alatau (Saryzhaz). Vegetation data were collected using the traditional methods of field geobotanical studies based on the ecological-physiognomic approach.Plant communities having dominant species from a single ecobiomorph and ecologically related species groups.We complemented the population analysis with a soil properties map compiled from existing cartographic and available literature. The results of this study indicated the low number of A. tianschanica individuals in all CPs, which is likely due to the biological characteristics of the species (i.e. low seed production and seedling recruitment and the lack of vegetative regeneration) as well as environmental factors, and anthropogenic impact, mainly grazing with. We found that the total number of individuals of A. tianschanica in the five cenopopulations was 106 individuals. The average density of the species varied from 1.3 to 3.1 plants/m2 with CP2 being the highest and CP5 the lowest. The five cenopopulations were classified based on the absolute maxima of ontogenetic groups. There were two maxima in the age composition of individuals in CPs 3 and 4: the first (18.8-42.1%) was a group of vegetative plants (v), and the second (21.1-50.0%) was a group of young generative plants (g1). The natural state of the habitat of this cenopopulation can be explained as more favorable than others. In CP2, the absolute maximum corresponded to vegetative plants group (v) (37.0%). In CP5, young generative individuals (g1) and mature generative (g2) predominated (from 30.8% to 38.4%). In terms of age composition, the state of A. tianschanica cenopopulations is considered relatively satisfactory but demonstrated a low level of abundance. It has been established that the state of the species populations in the studied regions is affected by soil conditions, changes in climatic conditions and anthropogenic impact.

Background: Based on world experience, first, a modern assessment of the flora is needed to develop strategies for the conservation of ecosystems of rare and endangered plant species. A regional and global biodiversity strategy should focus on assessing the current state of bioresources. To preserve the biodiversity of the species and its habitat, we evaluated botanical features, ontogenetic phases, the ecological and phytocenotic structure of the rare and endangered of Rhodiola rosea L. (golden rose root) populations from the highlands of Eastern Kazakhstan. Results: R. rosea in the study region lives on damp mossy rocks, rocky slopes, overgrown moraines and along the banks of mountain rivers in the upper limit of cedar-larch forests, subalpine and alpine belts, in the altitude limit of 1700–2400 m. In the studied region, R. rosea begins to vegetate in May–June, blooms in June–July, the fruits ripen in August. The species is encountered in the high mountain ranges of the Kazakh Altai and Saur-Tarabagatai. Unfavorable habitat conditions for the species are overgrown by sedge-grass and birch-moss communities. The most common species at sites with R. rosea are: Schulzia crinita, Achillea ledebourii, Doronicum altaicum, Macropodium nivale, Hylotelephium telephium, Rhodiola algida, Carex capillaris, C. aterrima. Ontogenetic study revealed that all age-related phases were present, with the exception of the senile states. Individual life expectancy shown to be 50–55 years. The analysis of the species composition in the communities with R. rosea showed that the leading families in terms of the number of accompanying species are Poaceae, Ranunculaceae, Asteraceae, Rosaceae and Caryophyllaceae, Apiaceae, Fabaceae; while the most dominant genera are: Carex, Aconitum, Dracocephalum, Festuca, Pedicularis, Poa, Salix; the ecological groups are dominated by psychrophytes, mesophytes mesopsychrophytes; the Asian, Eurasian, and Holarctic groups are the most represented groups. Dominant life forms according to Serebyakov were rod-rooted, brush-rooted, short-rooted and long-rooted grasses, while based on Raunkiaer’s groups the overwhelming majority consisted of Hemincryptophytes (74%). Conclusions: The R. rosea populations of Kazakhstan represent an important gene stock of the species. Our study provides new insights into the species’ biology thus contributes to the conservation of biodiversity on a wide spatial scale.

Representatives of the Crassulaceae family’s genus Rhodiola are succulents, making them distinctive in a changing environment. One of the most significant tools for analyzing plant resources, including numerous genetic processes in wild populations, is the analysis of molecular genetic polymorphism. This work aimed to look at the polymorphisms of allelic variations of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and auxin response factor (ARF) gene families, as well as the genetic diversity of five Rhodiola species, using the retrotransposons-based fingerprinting approach. The multi-locus exon-primed intron-crossing (EPIC-PCR) profiling approach was used to examine allelic variations in the SOD and ARF gene families. We implemented the inter-primer binding site (iPBS) PCR amplification technique for genome profiling, which demonstrated a significant level of polymorphism in the Rhodiola samples studied. Natural populations of Rhodiola species have a great capacity for adaptation to unfavorable environmental influences. The genetic variety of wild populations of Rhodiola species leads to their improved tolerance of opposing environmental circumstances and species evolutionary divergence based on the diversity of reproductive systems.

This study examines the phytocenotic, phenotypic, phytochemical, antioxidant, and toxic effects of four geographically distinct populations of the traditionally used plant species Adonis volgensis Steven ex DC. from Central and Northern Kazakhstan. These populations, found in diverse habitats such as steppe-like forest edges and moist plains, coexist with species like Achillea nobilis L. and Artemisia absinthium L. Significant variations were observed in plant community composition and environmental stressors, including grazing and habitat degradation. Morphological analysis revealed that Population 2 exhibited greater vigor, while Population 3 was more constrained by local conditions, highlighting adaptive strategies influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. FTIR analysis of A. volgensis extracts revealed distinct solvent-specific profiles of bioactive compounds. Ethanol (EtOH) and ethyl acetate extracts were rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds, whereas the chloroform (CHCl₃) extract was less effective in extracting phenolics, displaying weaker O–H bands. Phytochemical analysis showed notable variations in total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). The highest TPC (89.351 ± 4.45 mg GAE/g d.w.) was found in the ethyl acetate extract from the Akmola region, while the highest TFC (33.811 ± 0.170 mg QE/g d.w.) was observed in the CHCl₃ extract from Kostanay region. Toxicity assessment using the Artemia salina lethality assay revealed significant mortality rates (88–96%) in CHCl₃ extracts of aerial parts, demonstrating a dose-dependent effect. These findings highlight the antioxidant and potential toxic properties of A. volgensis, emphasizing the importance of solvent selection in bioactive compound extraction for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.

The article presents data on the distribution of species of the genus Adonis L. in Kazakhstan. In order to further clarify the places of distribution and inventory of modern growth of species of the genus Adonis, the main herbarium fund of botanical organizations was studied. The conducted analyses show that the highest occurrence of species is noted in Almaty region. To clarify the distribution in Kazakhstan and to compile the points of occurrence of species of the genus Adonis, 148 herbarium sheets (1843-2021) from Al-Farabi KazNU, Institute of Botany (AA), DAPO and KIR and digital herbarium of Moscow State University (MW) were reviewed and processed. Collections from 1843 are presented. The largest number of collections is from 1940-1972, and the main collectors are S.A. Arystangaliev, B. Bykov, N.V. Pavlov, and A.A. Ivashchenko. 148 actual places of growth for 8 Adonis species from the flora of Kazakhstan were identified: Adonis aestivalis L., Adonis apennina L. (Adonis sibirica Patr.ex Ledeb.), Adonis chrysocyathus Hook.f. & Thomson., Adonis parviflora Fisch., Adonis tianschanica (Adolf.) Lipsch., Adonis vernalis L., Adonis villosа Ledeb., Adonis volgensis Steven ex DC. Species diversity of Adonis L. is established in Dzungarian Alatau, Western Altai, Tarbagatai and Ile-Kungei Alatau, which are classified as rare and whose numbers are decreasing. Geographically, the most common are Adonis Adonis aestivalis L., Adonis parviflora Fisch. & Adonis tianschanica (Adolf.) Lipsch. The conducted research allowed systematizing, clarifying and supplementing information about species diversity and distribution of genus Adonis in the flora of Kazakhstan.

The adaptive potential of plants in urban environments, responding to factors like air pollution, electromagnetic radiation, and specific microclimates, remains insufficiently understood. Our study focused on two evergreen Cupressaceae family species, Thuja occidentalis L. and Platycladus orientalis L. Franco, which are commonly found in Kazakhstan’s urban landscapes. Conducted in Almaty, one of Kazakhstan’s most polluted cities, our comparative analysis examined the anatomical features, photosynthetic activity, and secondary metabolite composition of these conifers. Both species exhibited xeromorphic traits, such as submerged stomata, resin passages, and a prominent leaf cuticle. T. occidentalis displayed higher photosynthetic activity values (quantum yield of photosystem II (YII), electron transport rate (ETR), and quantum yield of non-photochemical quenching (Y(NPQ))) than P. orientalis, while P. orientalis exhibited a higher quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation in PSII (Y(NO)) values. Chemical analysis revealed 31 components in T. occidentalis and 33 in P. orientalis, with T. occidentalis containing three times more thujone (16.42% and 5.18%, respectively) and a higher monosaccharide content (17.33% and 6.98%, respectively). T. occidentalis also contained 14.53% steroids, whereas P. orientalis showed no steroid presence. The cytotoxic activity of essential oils was determined by the survival of Artemia salina aquatic crustaceans, whereas tested essential oils from both species exhibited acute lethal toxicity to A. salina aquatic crustaceans across all tested concentrations. The connection between physiological traits, adaptation strategies, and cytotoxic effects offers a comprehensive view of the ecological and pharmacological importance of these two observed conifer species, highlighting their diverse roles in urban environments, as well as their potential medical uses.