Populus pruinosa is listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan. The habitats of the species are associated with the floodplains of desert rivers, including the Syr Darya and the Ili. The reduction in tugai forests is associated with changes in the hydrological regimes of rivers, the reduction in groundwater, fires, and grazing. The aim of this research is to advance our knowledge of the woodlands and forests of P. pruinosa in Kazakhstan by analyzing the cenoflora and forestry characteristics, conducting ecological niche modeling to select suitable habitats for ecological restoration, and identifying rehabilitation strategies. The vegetation was studied using traditional methods of geobotanic field research in 2021 and 2022. Ecological niche modeling includes the calculation of all the environmental variables that are significant for the species, taken in their optimal ranges, and identifying the intersection of all the favorable conditions. To identify these variables, geographically linked meeting points of the studied species, climatic and soil conditions, relief characteristics identified by the SRTM and raster sets of the environmental variables (WorldClim), and distances to watercourses and settlements were accepted for consideration. A total of 102 environmental variables were used.

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.

Kenesbay A, Kurmantayeva A, Sitpayeva G, Shmakov A, Koltunova A, Kulymbet K. 2025. Assessment of Cousinia mindshelkensis populations (Asteraceae) at the Karatau Ridge, South Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 26: 6174-6187. Cousinia mindshelkensis is a narrow-localized endemic species, spread by small populations in the central part of the Karatau ridge, Western Tien Shan, and is included in the Kazakhstan Red Book. This study aimed to assess the current state of C. mindshelkensis populations in the Karatau range based on morphological, ecological, and molecular characters. Four populations (P1-P4) were investigated. Morphological data was analyzed based on test plots with 10-15 individuals from each population, while ecological analysis included habitat description. Molecular data based on iPBS and ITS markers were carried out using the STRUCTURE program, cluster and phylogenetic analysis. Morphological traits showed high variability. Plants from P1 and P2 were the smallest, P4 was characterized by intensive vegetative growth with reduced flowering, whereas P3 demonstrated the best reproductive performance. The highest density occurred in P1 and P2 of 4.1±0.9 and 1.6±0.79 individuals/m², respectively. Ecological analysis indicated that the species inhabits petrophytic, mixed-herbaceous-woody-shrubby, and herbaceous-shrubby communities. Genetic diversity assessed by 3 iPBS markers was an average of 61.2% with the highest presented by iPBS2373 of 87.5% polymorphism and phylogenetic analysis confirmed all samples belong to a single clade. These results highlight the necessity of continuous monitoring and justify the inclusion of C. mindshelkensis among priority targets for biodiversity conservation in the region.

В статье приводится точное местонахождение и границы ареалов некоторых редких и эндемичныхвидов гор Боралдайтау. Редкие и эндемичные виды рассматриваются в объеме четырех групп, выделенных поуровню необходимой охраны.

В результате полевых исследований, проведенных в Кокжарском лесничестве Алакольского филиала в пределах Жонгар-Алатауского национального природного парка, выявлено 4 синтаксона с участием редких и эндемичных видов: среднегорные луга с рапонтикумом сафлоровидным; субальпийские луга с участием родиолы розовой и крестовника огненноязычкового; альпийские луга с участием соссюреи обвернутой. Выявленные синтаксоны редких сообществ являются дополнением для региональной «Зеленой книги Алматинской области».