Preservation of Plant Biodiversity in National Natural Parks of Ukraine in the face of Climate Change

Abstract

Conservation of plant biodiversity in national natural parks of Ukraine is becoming particularly relevant in the context of climate change, which transforms the temperature and humidity regime, increases the risks of droughts, fires, habitat degradation and species range shifts. The aim of the study was to theoretically substantiate the directions of adaptive conservation of phytodiversity in national natural parks of Ukraine, taking into account climate-related changes in the conditions of existence of plant species and groups and biological mechanisms of their vulnerability. The study was of a theoretical and analytical nature: analysis and systematization of sources were used to identify climate threats and vulnerable components of phytodiversity, comparative and analytical method - to compare Ukrainian and international approaches, generalization - to form directions of adaptive conservation. The analysis took into account the species composition of the flora, the state of populations, phenological processes, natural renewal and the structure of plant groups. The results showed that climate-related threats are complex and include changes in temperature and humidity, droughts, fires, phenological shifts, habitat degradation, the spread of invasive plants, population fragmentation and loss of ecological connectivity, which affects the viability of populations, reproductive processes, seed or vegetative renewal and phytocenotic structure. It was determined that the most vulnerable are rare, endemic, relict and Red Book species, steppe, grass, marsh, coastal and forest communities, as well as populations on the edge of the range. It was substantiated that the NNP of Ukraine can serve as centers of flora conservation, natural biotopes, elements of the ecological network and potential climatic refugia. The directions of adaptive conservation have been formed: flora monitoring, protection of vulnerable species, control of invasive plants, maintenance of ecological connectivity, assessment of population status, natural regeneration, phytocenotic structure and stability of biotopes. The practical significance of the results lies in the possibility of their use for updating NNP management plans, refining monitoring programs and biologically based selection of priority protection objects.

Keywords: adaptive management, ecological connectivity, invasive species, refugium, biotopes, ecosystem, flora monitoring.