We compiled a checklist of endemic vascular plants occurring in Kazakhstan, employing an exhaustive examination of literature sources, herbarium collections, databases and field observations. Our study reveals that 451 taxa can be considered endemic to Kazakhstan, constituting 7.97% of the total vascular plant diversity in the country. These endemic taxa, originating from 139 genera and 34 families, predominantly thrive in the southern regions of Kazakhstan, specifically in the mountain ridges of the Kazakh part of the Tian Shan, including Karatau (123 taxa), Dzungarian Alatau (80 taxa) and Trans-Ili and Kungey Alatau (50 taxa). Notably, 107 endemic species are granted legal protection. Detailed information regarding life form, life cycle, conservation status and geographical distribution across floristic regions was meticulously compiled for each endemic taxon. Of the six groups of life forms, herbs include the highest part of endemic taxa (367 taxa), followed by dwarf semishrubs (25 taxa), shrubs (23 taxa), subshrubs (20 taxa), undershrubs (13 taxa) and trees (3 taxa). The observed life cycles are perennials (408 taxa), annuals (33 taxa) and biennials (10 taxa). This paper serves as a fundamental groundwork for prospective investigations aimed at assessing population sizes and hotspots of plant endemism throughout Kazakhstan, crucial for determining conservation status of endemic plants.

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.

The genus Tulipa L., belonging to the Liliaceae family, has significant economic, horticultural, and ecological importance and is culturally revered in various regions worldwide. The total number of Tulipa species, including 90–120 taxa, varies based on different sources. Globally, Kazakhstan has one of the highest diversities of Tulipa species, most of which are threatened. In this study, we update and revise the Tulipa species in Kazakhstan based on field observations and an extensive herbarium specimens’ survey. A total of 41 taxa were identified, including 13 species endemic to Kazakhstan, among which seven species have been assessed as threatened globally. Furthermore, we gathered 1,942 occurrence records of 41 Tulipa taxa to analyze spatial arrangement of Tulipa species richness in Kazakhstan. Based on these results, we identified 22 grid cells with a high diversity of tulip species in southern Kazakhstan. We also present taxonomic key for all Tulipa species occurring in Kazakhstan, along with comments on their general distribution, habitat, phenology, distribution map, and conservation status. In addition, a color plate for each species is provided. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the conservation status, distribution patterns, and biodiversity of Tulipa species in Kazakhstan, laying a foundation for targeted conservation efforts and further research in the region.

We present a review of Orchidaceae Juss. of the northern part of Kazakhstan, within the steppe, forest-steppe and semi-desert habitats of the country (Pavlodar, northern Kazakhstan, Kostanay, Akmola, Aktobe, West Kazakhstan, partially Karaganda and East Kazakhstan regions). The investigation is based on herbarium materials, literature data and field observations. We examined material from the following herbarium collections: LE, MW, TK, MHA, SVER, KUZ, ALTB, AA, NUR, KG, KSPI, NS, NSK, MOSP, ORIS, PPIU, totalling 288 herbarium specimens. The paper presents data in the form of revision, focusing on orchids of the northern part of Kazakhstan. It is accompanied by maps indicating localities, notes on habitat preferences, phenology and conservation status. A total of 25 species of 16 genera were recorded, of which eight are included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (2014). According to our data, we propose to enlarge the number of protected orchids by adding the following nine species: Corallorhiza trifida, Epipactis atrorubens, Gymnadenia conopsea, Hammarbya paludosa, Herminium monorchis, Liparis loeselii, Malaxis monophyllos, Neottia camtschatea and Spiranthes australis. The most widespread species in the studied region are Dactylorhiza incarnata, D. umbrosa and Epipactis palustris. The rarest species (single locality only) are Epipactis atrorubens, E. helleborine, Epipogium aphyllum, Hammarbya paludosa and Herminium monorchis.

This paper presents the ecological and phytocenotic characteristics and state of the rare plant cenopopulation (CP) of the State National Nature Park "Burabay". The purpose of the scientific research is to study the current state of the cenopopulation of rare and endangered plants of the national park. Researches of the rare species' cenopopulation of the national park were carried out by route reconnaissance method according to the generally accepted geobotanical methods. Locations and ecological and phytocoenotic indicators of 8 rare plant species were identified in the flora of the studied area. The populations of Cypripedium calceolus, Drosera rotundifolia and Tulipa patens cause the highest concern of possible extinction in the territory of SNPP "Burabay". The data obtained can be used in monitoring the state of the population of rare plant species in SNPP "Burabay" and for the development of the regional Red Data Book of Akmola region. В данной работе приводится эколого-фитоценотическая характеристика и состояние ценопопуляции (ЦП) редких растений Государственного национального природного парка (ГНПП) «Бурабай». Цель научного исследования – изучение современного состояния ценопопуляции редких и исчезающих растений национального парка. Исследования ценопопуляции редких видов национального парка проводились маршрутно-рекогносцировочным способом, согласно общепринятым геоботаническим методам. Во флоре исследуемой территории выявлены местонахождения и изучены эколого-фиотоценотические показатели 8 редких видов растений – Adonis volgensis (2 ЦП), A. vernalis (1 ЦП), Pulsatilla patens (3 ЦП), Cypripedium calceolus (2 ЦП), Chimaphila umbelata (6 ЦП), Dactylorhiza fuchsii (2 ЦП), Tulipa patens (1 ЦП), Drosera rotundifolia (1 ЦП) занесенных в Красную книгу Республики Казахстан. Наиболее высокие опасения возможного исчезновения на территории ГНПП «Бурабай» вызывают популяции Cypripedium calceolus, Drosera rotundifolia и Tulipa patens. Полученные сведения могут быть использованы при мониторинге состояния популяции редких видов растений в ГНПП «Бурабай» и для разработки региональной Красной книги Акмолинской области. Бұл жұмыста «Бурабай» мемлекеттік ұлттық табиғи паркінің (МҰТП) сирек кездесетін өсімдіктерінің экологиялық-фитоценоздық сипаттамасы мен ценопопуляцияларының (ЦП) жағдайы келтірілген. Ғылыми зерттеудің мақсаты-ұлттық парктің сирек кездесетін және жойылып бара жатқан өсімдіктерінің ценопопуляцияларының қазіргі жағдайын зерттеу. Ұлттық парктің сирек кездесетін түрлерінің ценопопуляцияларын зерттеу жалпы қабылданған геоботаникалық әдістерге сәйкес маршруттық-барлау әдісімен жүргізілді. Зерттелетін аумақтың флорасында Қазақстан Республикасының Қызыл кітабына енгізілген сирек кездесетін 8 өсімдік түрінің: Adonis volgensis (2 ЦП), A. vernalis (1 ЦП), Pulsatilla patens (3 ЦП), Cypripedium calceolus (2 ЦП), Chimaphila umbelata (6 ЦП), Dactylorhiza fuchsii (2 ЦП), Tulipa patens (1 ЦП), Drosera rotundifolia (1 ЦП) тіршілік орталары анықталып, экологиялық-фитоценоздық көрсеткіштері зерттелді. "Бурабай" МҰТП аумағында Cypripedium calceolus, Drosera rotundifolia және Tulipa patens популяцияларының жойылу қаупі жоғары. Алынған мәліметтер "Бурабай" МҰТП сирек кездесетін өсімдік түрлерінің жай-күйін мониторингілеу кезінде және Ақмола облысының өңірлік Қызыл кітабын әзірлеу үшін пайдаланылуы мүмкін.