Significance: To do the right thing at the right time, organisms need to glean cues from their environment. How they respond can then be described by reaction norms, i.e., by the relationship between the phenotype expressed (the phenology of an event) and the environment (the date when a given number of degree-days are achieved). We use information on 178 phenological events across the former Soviet Union. We found the timing of events to differ more between sites in spring and less in autumn. These patterns of local adaptation translate to a massive imprint on nature’s calendar: geographic variation in phenology is more pronounced in spring and less pronounced in autumn than if organisms were to respond equally everywhere.

The Altai Mountains are an important center of biodiversity and are a major habitat for threatened and endemic species in Asia. Moreover, the Altai Mountains are a valuable site for the study of the evolution of central Asian vegetation. The Xinjiang Altai subrange represents the largest part of the southern Altai Mountains and has many unique plant communities. After conducting a thorough literature review and field investigation, we utilized the Chinese vegetation categorization system to identify the dominant plant communities in the Xinjiang Altai subrange and report their composition and distribution characteristics. Our results show that (1) the natural plant communities present in the Xinjiang Altai subrange can be divided into eight vegetation types, eighteen vegetation subtypes, and 50 communities. Among these, two communities—Form. Calligonum rubicundum and Form. Seriphidium borotalense-Festuca valesiaca—are present only in the Xinjiang Altai subrange. (2) The Xinjiang Altai subrange is located at the junction of three major biomes containing unique vegetation types (coniferous forest, temperate broadleaf forest, and desert). Thus, the Xinjiang Altai subrange is distinct in its staggered transition from mountainous boreal taiga to temperate desert. This research provides textual data to contextualize the cultural heritage of the Xinjiang Altai subrange and also provides a scientific basis for the protection and sustainable management of natural resources found in the Xinjiang Altai.

Seventy percent of the territory of Uzbekistan consists of arid regions. This situation is considered very favorable for plants adapted to a desert climate. Medicinal plants distributed in the arid regions of Uzbekistan have not been studied much. Medicinal plants are considered inexpensive, yet are vital for the lives of local residents. They play a very important role in the traditional healing of ailments. To determine the current state of medicinal plants and enhance their subsequent protection and sustainable use, it is necessary to obtain annual information on the state of their distribution, their population size, and the impact of negative factors on their populations. Based on our field studies, which were conducted during the period from 2012 to 2022 in the arid regions of Uzbekistan, we updated the checklists of the main medicinal plants used in these regions. A total of 529 medicinal species belonging to 70 families and 269 genera were identified in the study region. Several species, including Peganum harmala L., Capparis spinosa L., Ferula foetida (Bunge) Regel, Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Alhagi pseudalhagi (M. Bieb.) Desv. ex Wangerin, Lagochilus inebrians Bunge, Xanthium strumarium L., Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., Onopordum acanthium L., Ziziphora tenuior L., and Cichorium intybus L., are spread over large areas and have been used regularly by the locals since ancient times. These species are common in saline and degraded soils in arid regions of Uzbekistan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with tabibs (traditional doctors), elders, herders, and residents with experience in traditional healing using medicinal plants. The medicinal value of most plants was based on the interviews with representatives of the local population, which were useful for understanding traditional healing skills and customer service skills.

Abduraimov OS, Maxmudov AV, Kovalenko I, Allamurotov AL, Mavlanov BJ, Shakhnoza SU, Mamatkasimov OT. 2023. Floristic diversity and economic importance of wild relatives of cultivated plants in Uzbekistan (Central Asia). Biodiversitas 24: 1668-1675. The countries of Central Asia are considered one of the Centers of origin of cultivated plants and their wild relatives. Indigenous people have used these plants for several centuries. Our study was carried out in 2020-2022 in different biogeographical regions of Uzbekistan. Data from field studies and literature showed that in the flora of Uzbekistan, there are 24 families, including 202 species belonging to 102 genera. In the current investigation, an attempt has been made to document the floristic diversity and economic importance of wild relatives of cultivated plants in Uzbekistan. Wild Relatives of Cultivated Plants (WRCP) and cultivated species form an integral part of the genetic resources of plants that determine the food security of the assessment and are subject to conservation at the international level. The WRCP includes species of natural flora that are evolutionarily close to cultivated plants, are included in the same genus, and are potentially suitable for introducing into culture for creating or improving cultivated plant varieties. Most wild relatives of crop plants worldwide need to be addressed and utilized, recognizing their real potential. Humans have been using these plants for several centuries. In recent years, the demand for food has been increasing. Our study suggests making them possible to use these varieties of plants regularly.

The article reports influence of different environmental conditions on the productivity of Linum usitatissimum L. (flax or flaxseed) in Uzbekistan. Analyses of the plant productivity were carried out on the rainfed lands and in the conditions of the Tashkent Botanical Garden. Phenological studies revealed differences in various phases of the growing period. Morphometric parameters that determine yield of L. usitatissimum seeds under different conditions were determined. The seed yield per plant on average in the Botanical Garden was 79.4 ± 4.00, and at various regions in the rich lands such as Malguzar 76,8±4,33, Pishagar 74,2±4,54 and Khatyrchi district was 76,5±4,28. The results of the studies can be used by farms in cultivating L. usitatissimum in the Republic of Uzbekistan.