Incarvillea semiretschenskia (B. Fedtsch.) Grierson is listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan as a rare relic, narrowly endemic species of the Shu-Ile low mountains (Kazakhstan). The aim of this research was to advance our knowledge of the ecological conditions of its habitats, the floristic composition of plant communities, and molecular phylogeny, as well as to identify threats to the species’ existence. The ecological conditions of I. semiretschenskia habitats are rocky slopes and intermountain valleys of the low mountains in the altitude range from 812 to 1075 m asl with light chestnut mountain soils of little development, having a light granulometric composition and containing insignificant amounts of organic matter. We revealed 164 species of vascular plants in the communities of I. semiretschenskia, including five endemics and five species from the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan. Anthropogenic factors associated with grazing, fires, and limestone mining were identified as leading to a decrease in the number and density of populations. New insights into the relationship and time of diversification in the genus Incarvillea are gained through the use of several accessions of I. semiretschenskia and I. potaninii Batalin in the phylogenetic study. Preliminary fingerprint analysis shows relatively high genetic variability within populations of I. semiretschenskia. This unique relic species has survived since the Miocene epoch and exists to this day only in the Shu-Ile low mountains. To preserve this rare species, measures are proposed to create plant micro-reserves to provide ex situ collections and ensure future in situ restoration efforts.

Xylosalsola chiwensis (Popov) Akhani & Roalson is listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan as a rare species with a limited distribution, occurring in small populations in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The aim of this study is to deepen the understanding of the ecological conditions of its habitats, the floristic composition of its associated plant communities, the species’ morphological and anatomical characteristics, and its molecular phylogeny, as well as to identify the main threats to its survival. The ecological conditions of the X. chiwensis habitats include coastal sandy plains and the slopes of chinks and denudation plains with gray–brown desert soils and bozyngens on the Mangyshlak Peninsula and the Ustyurt Plateau at altitudes ranging from −3 to 270 m above sea level. The species is capable of surviving in arid conditions (less than 100 mm of annual precipitation) and under extreme temperatures (air temperatures exceeding 45 °C and soil surface temperatures above 65 °C). In X. chiwensis communities, we recorded 53 species of vascular plants. Anthropogenic factors associated with livestock grazing, industrial disturbances, and off-road vehicle traffic along an unregulated network of dirt roads have been identified as contributing to population decline and the potential extinction of the species under conditions of unsustainable land use. The morphometric traits of X. chiwensis could be used for taxonomic analysis and for identifying diagnostic morphological characteristics to distinguish between species of Xylosalsola. The most taxonomically valuable characteristics include the fruit diameter (with wings) and the cone-shaped structure length, as they differ consistently between species and exhibit relatively low variability. Anatomical adaptations to arid conditions were observed, including a well-developed hypodermis, which is indicative of a water-conserving strategy. The moderate photosynthetic activity, reflected by a thinner palisade mesophyll layer, may be associated with reduced photosynthetic intensity, which is compensated for through structural mechanisms for water conservation. The flow cytometry analysis revealed a genome size of 2.483 ± 0.191 pg (2n/4x = 18), and the phylogenetic analysis confirmed the placement of X. chiwensis within the tribe Salsoleae of the subfamily Salsoloideae, supporting its taxonomic distinctness. To support the conservation of this rare species, measures are proposed to expand the area of the Ustyurt Nature Reserve through the establishment of cluster sites.

The article presents the studying outcomes from 2014 to 2019 of vegetation cover of Zhetysu Alatau mountains, and also it summarized types of compiled ecological-phytocenotic classification. The main methods of compiling environmental classifications are briefly represented, and the advantages and disadvantages of each approach are described: dominant and determinant. While creating of vegetation classification, the dominant approach to the allocation of taxa is adopted. The taxonomic hierarchy includes units: vegetation types, class formation (ecological-physiognomic type), group association. The vegetation cover of Zhetysu Alatau belons to 6 types of vegetation: forest, shrubby, meadow, swamp, steppe, deserts. Each type includes ecological and physiognomic vegetation categories (20 in total): forests – dark coniferous, small-leaved, floodplain; shrub thickets – petrophytic, halophytic, mesophytic and mesoxerophytic along river valleys, evergreen elfin woods; meadows – high-mountain low-herb alpine, high-mountain mid-herb subalpine, mid-mountain high-herb, steppes, halophytic, floodplain (swamp, typical); swamp grass; steppes – wormwood-grasses (deserts), grasses (true), rich forb-grass (meadow), high-mountain; deserts – halophytic semi-shrubs, psammophytic shrubs. Phytocenotic characteristics of species diversity for each type of vegetation and its association with high-altitude zones are given. Key words: Zhetysu Alatau mountains, vegetation classification, ecological physiognomic approach, plant communities, phytocoenotic characteristics.

Tulipa brachystemon Regel is a narrowly distributed endemic whose occurrence within the Zhetysu Alatau mountains remains insufficiently studied, while information on its phytocoenotic affinity and habitat structure is still fragmentary. Therefore, the study of plant communities with the participation of T. brachystemon and the assessment of its role within the vegetation cover of the northern macroslope of the Zhetysu Alatau mountains are of considerable relevance. The aim of this study was to summarize available data on plant communities with the participation of Tulipa brachystemon on the northern macroslope of the Zhetysu Alatau mountains, to identify the floristic features of these communities and to assess the phytocoenotic affinity of the species. The scientific significance of the study lies in the synthesis of all available information on the composition and diversity of plant communities containing Tulipa brachystemon. The study was based on field investigations conducted between 2015 and 2022, herbarium collections, ...

В статье рассматриваются смены растительности, вызванные пастбищной дигрессией на участках предпесковой равнины и песчаного массива Таукум. На основании полевых исследований растительности предпесковой равнины установлены последовательные стадии деградации белоземельнополынных фитоценозов, завершающиеся формированием катаценозов эбелекового и адраспаного типов. Направление смен растительности обусловлено экологическими условиями, антропогенной нагрузкой и интенсивностью пастбищного использования. Эти факторы приводят к замещению ценных кормовых растений сорными видами, однолетними солянками и ксерофитами, малопригодными для поедания скотом. Показано, что стадии дигрессии зависят от рельефа, микроклимата и структуры субстрата. В межбугровых понижениях наблюдаются поздние стадии дигрессии с преобладанием сорных модификаций. В песчаном массиве Таукум выявлены наиболее распространенные типы засорения пастбищ: эбелековое, бургуновое, качимовое, ржаное, эремурусовое, беловатополынное. Установлено, что при отсутствии пастбищеоборота происходит резкое снижение фитоценотического разнообразия и деградация пастбищной растительности. Полученные результаты подчеркивают необходимость введения рационального использования пастбищ, разработки мер по восстановлению деградированных экосистем и предотвращению опустынивания.

Xylosalsola chiwensis (Popov) Akhani & Roalson is listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan as a rare species with a limited distribution, occurring in small populations in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The aim of this study was to deepen the understanding of the ecological conditions of its habitats, the floristic composition of its associated plant communities, the species' morphological and anatomical characteristics, and its molecular phylogeny, as well as to identify the main threats to its survival. The ecological conditions of the Xy. chiwensis habitats include coastal sandy plains and the slopes of chinks and denudation plains with grey–brown desert soils and bozyngens on the Mangyshlak Peninsula and the Ustyurt Plateau at altitudes ranging from – 3 to 270 meters above sea level. The species is capable of surviving in arid conditions (less than 100 mm of annual precipitation) and under extreme temperatures (air temperatures exceeding 45 °C and soil surface temperatures above 65 °C). In Xy. chiwensis communities, we recorded 53 species of vascular plants. Anthropogenic factors associated with livestock grazing, industrial disturbances, and off-road vehicle traffic along an unregulated network of dirt roads have been identified as contributing to population decline and the potential extinction of the species under conditions of unsustainable land use. The morphometric traits of Xy. chiwensis could be used for taxonomic analysis and for identifying diagnostic morphological characteristics to distinguish between species of Xylosalsola. The most taxonomically valuable characteristics include the fruit diameter (with wings) and cone length, as they differ consistently between species and exhibit relatively low variability. Anatomical adaptations to arid conditions were observed, including a well-developed hypodermis, which is indicative of a water-conserving strategy. The moderate photosynthetic activity, reflected by a thinner palisade mesophyll layer, may be associated with reduced photosynthetic intensity, which is compensated for through structural mechanisms for water conservation. The flow cytometry analysis revealed a genome size of 2.483 ± 0.191 pg (2n/4x = 18) and the phylogenetic analysis confirmed the placement of Xy. chiwensis within the tribe Salsoleae of the subfamily Salsoloideae, supporting its taxonomic distinctness. To support the conservation of this rare species, measures are proposed to expand the area of the Ustyurt Nature Reserve through the establishment of cluster sites.