Results of investigations on the patterns of distribution and dispersal of alien species of trees and shrubs in the territory of a steppe protected area, Yelanetskyi Step Nature Reserve (Mykolaiv Region, southern Ukraine), are presented. We registered within this protected area 10 alien woody species. For the most widespread ones (Ulmus pumila L., Gleditsia triacanthos L., Elaeagnus angustifolia L., Robinia pseudoacacia L.), we carried out ecological analyses. In order to establish the scope of impact of ecological factors upon these species, their specificity, and interdependence between ecological factors, the phytoindication method was applied (Didukh, 2012). The results of our analysis conducted on 12 main ecological factors (as outlined by Didukh, 2011), such as soil water regime (Hd), variability of damping (Fh), soil aeration (Ae), soil acidity (Rc), nitrogen content (Nt), salt regime (Sl), carbonate content in soil (Ca), thermoregime (Tm), climate humidity (Om), continentality (Kn), cryoregime (Cr), and light intensity (Lc), show that dispersal of model alien species does not have ecological limitation. However, E.angustifolia and R.pseudoacacia have the strongest capacity to penetrate the steppe communities, especially disturbed ones. Further dispersal of these alien species in the studied area and adjacent territories is hampered only by the integrity of the structure of steppe communities.
The spontaneous appearance of the annual plant, Veronica cardiocarpa Walp. (Plantaginaceae), from Central and Minor Asia was recorded in the O.V. Fomin Botanical Garden of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 1983 as a result of unintentional introduction. It was the first documented occurrence outside of its natural range. V. cardiocarpa has been widespread within the Botanical Garden since 2007, and the first location outside the Botanical Garden was discovered in 2010. Later, the presence of V. cardiocarpa was noted in Chernihiv, as well as new locations in Kyiv. This species has become a new invasive plant of the flora of Ukraine, because it occupies new areas and shows high seed productivity. Additionally, V. cardiocarpa has high seed germination under certain conditions that were established during our experiment, consisting of four variants and a control. The conditions of the second variant—cold stratification with low positive temperatures for two months and germination of seeds at + 18–20 °C—were the most favourable—49 ± 4.36% germinated seeds began to appear on the third day after completion of stratification. Moreover, some indirect facts show that V. cardiocarpais is already deeply integrated in local urban ecosystems. Therefore, the main stages of the adaptation and spreading of V. cardiocarpa have been studied and described in Ukraine in this research. Information about a new location of this species in the Russian Federation significantly changed the understanding of V. cardiocarpa distribution in Eastern Europe. Finally, in this article, we discuss the important matter of dealing with the V. cardiocarpa invasion, and some approaches to prevent similar cases of the new alien species penetration through collections of botanical gardens and arboreta.
The article provides characteristics of the steppe vegetation of the class Festuco-Brometea within Yelanetskyi Step Nature Reserve. A history of geobotanical studies of this territory is briefly outlined. In total, vegetation of the class belongs to two orders, three alliances, six associations, and one variant. Communities of the alliance Festucion valesiacae in the reserve are represented by sod-cereal steppes and include one association and one variant. Communities of this alliance are formed in the areas that are exposed to anthropogenic factors; most often they are located on abandoned lands or areas under moderate grazing on the planes. Communities of the alliance Stipion lessingianae grow on black soils (chernozem) but with some inclusion of limestone. This alliance includes three associations which occupy ravine slopes of various steepness and exposure. The alliance Potentillo arenarie-Linion czerniaevii is represented by the communities on the limestone outcrops. It was established that the last two alliances demonstrate higher floristic diversity, which can be explained by differentiation of syntaxa within the area. The communities of these alliances include species from the European Red List and the IUCN Red List. Species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine are present in all syntaxa. A number of threats for the steppe communities on the study area have been identified.
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