Chusova O. Vegetation and biotopes of the Krasna River basin

The dissertation is devoted to the study of vegetation and biotopes of the Krasna River basin, in particular the development of its classification, the assessment of ecological and sozological features, and the study of the patterns of territorial (landscape) differentiation of the territory. The syntaxonomic structure (23 classes, 31 orders, 41 unions and 67 associations) of plant communities was established. Based on the floristic, cenotic and ecological features, the independence of the Helianthemo-Thymetea class has been proved. The classification scheme of habitats, which includes 6 types, has been developed, as well as the most common and differentiated biotopes have been identified. There was evaluated the differentiating effect and identified four main groups of limiting ecological factors. The pattern of the territorial division of plant communities in the Krasna River basin has been analyzed and its distinction has been confirmed on two geobotanical districts: Krasnolimansko-Stanichno-Lugansky and Swatovsky. There was conduct estimation of the effects of threats, the sozological significance and the degree of the biotopes stability of the research area the basis of which the biotopes were ranked by classes. The rarity phytocenotic fund of the Krasna River basin has been investigated and 116 species of higher vascular plants that entried in the protection lists, 50 associations included in the Green Book of Ukraine, as well as 16 types of biotopes protected in accordance with Resolution № 4 of the Berne Convention have been identified.