Analysis of the range dynamics of rare species of vascular plants of the flora of Ukraine. 1. Cymbaria borysthenica (Orobanchaceae)

The range dynamics of Cymbaria borysthenica Pall. ex Schltdl. (≡ Cymbochasma borysthenica (Pall. ex Schltdl.) Klokov) (Orobanchaceae) during almost 100 years has been analyzed. This relict species endemic to the Northern Black Sea – Sea of Azov region sporadically occurs in the southern steppe part of Ukraine (with several localities in adjacent eastern territories). It grows mainly on steppe slopes with washed-out soils in steppe, petrophyte steppe and petrophyte communities of the class Festuco-Brometea. The modern range of the species is rapidly shrinking under the influence of anthropogenic factors (plowing of the steppes, construction of hydrotechnical facilities, mining industry in the valleys of the rivers Saksagan, Ingulets, Kamenka, and now also military activities). At present, the species has disappeared from the territories of Crimea and Donbas. Therefore, in order to protect the species, it is necessary to carry out urgent measures to record and confirm the areas of its occurrence and to ban economic activities in these territories until their efficient protection.