Protection status assessment, prospects and methods of conservation of species of Schivereckia (Brassicaceae) in Ukraine

Abstract

Conservation of relict and endemic species is among the most important tasks of biodiversity conservation, since, apart from their individual biotic uniqueness, such species perform important ecological functions as centres of unique consortia which are the basis of the existence of a number of other associated organisms (insects, fungi, etc.) (Stoiko, 1992; Stoiko et al., 1997, 2004; Holubets, 2003). Concurrently, the contribution of novel habitats to supporting overall biodiversity in modern ecosystems may threat the populations of relict species. This is often manifested in the so-called phenomenon of "displacement of relicts" (Didukh, 1982, 1988). Due to this ecological effect, cenopopulations of relict species are mostly restricted to habitat types of cenotically open communities, where, in turn, ecotope conditions do not always adequately meet their ecological requirements. Under such conditions, even species that are not directly threatened by human-induced factors or activities may become subject to various other factors and impacts resulting in inhibition of basic biological functions in populations; or species distribution is hampered by extreme factors to borders of species' ecological niche. The genus Schivereckia Andrz. ex Besser (Alekseenko, 1946; Kolodiy, 2012; Mosyakin, 2016) could be considered as an example of endangered relict species in Ukraine. Two species are usually recognized in Ukraine: S. podoliса (Besser) Andrz. ex DC. (Draba podolica (Besser) Regel) and S. mutabilis (M. Alexeenko) M. Alexeenko (Alekseenko, 1946); the second one is