An evaluation of the conservation status of the forest vegetation of the Volyn Upland, Ukraine

The current conservation status of the rare vascular plant species and rare forest communities of the Volyn Upland (Ukraine) was characterized and analyzed. We found 14 rare plant species belonging to the Red Data Book of Ukraine in this territory (Lycopodium annotium L., Allium ursinum L., Cephalanthera longifolia (L.) Fritsch, Cephalanthera rubra (L.) Rich., Cypripedium calceolus L., Epipactis atrorubens (Hoffm.) Schult., E. helleborine (L.) Crantz, Lilium martagon L., Listera ovata (L.) R. Br., Neottia nidus-avis (L.) Rich., Platanthera bifolia (L.) Rich., P. chlorantha (Cust.) Reichenb., Galanthus nivalis L., Carex umbrosa Host) and 28 locally rare species preserved within the Volyn, Rivne and Lviv regions. The major threats for these species were indicated. Four rare associations, according to the Green Data Book of Ukraine, were studied in the Volyn Upland (Carpineto (betuli)–Quercetum (roboris) hederosum (helicis), Carpineto (betuli)–Fraxineto (excelsioris)–Quercetum (roboris) alliosum (ursini), Tilieto (cordatae)–Carpineto (betuli)–Quercetum (roboris) alliosum (ursini) and Pinetum (sylvestris) caricosum (humilis)) and their structure, main features and status were characterized in detail. The importance of further research, and the development of recommendations for the conservation and continued preservation of these forest ecosystems of the Volyn Upland was highlighted.