Results of the studies on biodiversity of the kurgan flora in the desert steppe of the Black Sea Lowland (the southern part of Kherson Region) are presented. Twenty-six of about 130 kurgans higher than 3 m, distributed over an area of approx. 1500 km², were surveyed. The kurgan flora was estimated at 305 species; the number of species on particular kurgans ranged from 48 to 103, 82 on average. The species of particularly high floristic value were: Allium regelianum, Anacamptis picta (= Orchis picta), Cerastium ucrainicum, Dianthuslanceolatus, Linaria biebersteinii, Muscari neglectum, Senecio borysthenicus, Stipa capillata, and Tulipa schrenkii. The spectrum of life forms of the kurgans flora generally corresponded to the spectrum for the desert steppe zone (almost a half of the flora consisted of therophytes and short-living perennials). Species of alien origin constituted 23% of the kurgans flora, which does not indicate significant anthropogenic influence. Species with wide Mediterranean-Eurasian ranges predominated among anthropophytes. Only 9 species were the synanthropic newcomers, i.e. kenophytes. The phytosociological range of the kurgans flora was quite wide. Species of two classes, Festuco-Brometea and Stellarietea mediae were predominant, which also confirmed the semi-natural character of the kurgan flora. The kurgans constitute a distinctive element of the southern Ukraine landscape. The state of preservation of their plant cover varies. Floristic richness, a share of rare and protected species, as well as shares of non-synanthropic (steppe and halophilous) species can be assumed as the criteria for its assessment. The recommendations regarding kurgans that should be under protection, not only as archaeological sites but also as nature monuments, was based on these assessment criteria.

The results of investigation of the Galanthus nivalis L. coenopopulations parametresin different ecological and coenotical conditions are presented. The demographical (age structure, renewal index, density) and reproductive (factual and potential seed production, index of the seed production, harvest, reproductive effort) coenopopulation’s parameters are analysed. According to different ecological and coenotic conditions primary R-strategy can change to the secondary R-S strategy or can have some traits of R-strategy.

The environment at limiting factors in the Southern coast of the Crimea determine intensity of thymol biosynthesis in essential oil of Thymus vulgaris L., Th. pulegioides L. and Th. striatus Vahl. other during period. The model of ecological and genetic control thymol biosynthesis in essential oil Thymus L. is appied to the basic ontogeny phases.

The article presents analysis of the endemic element in flora of Dnieper Left-Bank Grass Steppe of Ukraine. The basis of the endemic kernel of flora is formed by the Black Sea geographical elements. The endemic kernel consists of the local (Dnieper-Molochna) euendemics, confined and extensive hemiendemics. The endemic complex of the depressions includes 72 species. The endemism level is 14,60%. Cholorogically, the are the endemic flora of the depressions 4 florogenetical vectors (base types) Pannonian, Caspian, local Dnieper, and Sivash-Crimean which are clearly marked. The florogenetic connections of the territory are realized in concrete groups of the area, arealogic disjunctions, and vicarism of the endemic taxa or taxonomical complexes of this and adjoining phytochores. Vicarism of the neoendemics reflects the latitudinal-zonal connections of the depression flora of the Dnieper Left-Bank Grass Steppe, with flora of the Pannonian Lowland, the Dnieper Right-Bank Grass Steppe, and regions of the Sea of Azov, the Lower Don, the Caspian Sea, and Balkhash. Domination of the neoendemics and progressiveness of endemism of flora of the depressions mirror of geological youth of the territory studied, development of the Pontic and the local Low Dnieper floristic centres.

A new South-east en Ukraine a species of moss Aulacomnium palustre (Hedw.) Schwaegr. is found. Anatomic and morphological character of this species are carefully investigated in the three populations. Index of variation and index of correlation are calculated. Possible ways of migrating Aulacomnium palustre to the Donetsk region are discussed.

The ramified tap root system is predominated in plants of the taxon. Such characters of lateral roots as their number, thickness and presence of small nairs defermine volume of root system and can be used as an index of its power.

Trends of distribution and dispersal of alien species of the Artemisia vulgaris L. aggregate (Asteraceae) in Ukraine are discussed. New localities of A. verlotiorum Lamotte in Crimea (Nikita, Gurzuf) are reported. Previously this alien species was known from the Nikita Botanical Garden, but recent herbarium collections from Crimea were lacking. Thus, the occurrence of A. verlotiorum in the Crimea is reconfirmed. New finds of alien species of Artemisia sect. Artemisia in Ukraine are expected and thus Ukrainian botanists should pay more attention to that group. Some aspects of taxonomy and geography of the group are considered.

The data about locations and ecology for 25 new for Crimean peninsula species of lichens: Acarospora umbilicata Bagl., Arthonia pruinata (Pers.) A.L. Sm., Aspicilia maculata (H. Magn.) Oxn., Bacidia subincomta (Nyl.) Arnold, Bryoria bicolor (Ehrh.) Brodo & Hawksw., Caloplaca ammiospila (Wahlenb.) H. Oliv., Catinaria atropurpurea (Schaer.) Vĕzda & Poelt, Collema limosum (Ach.) Ach., Endocarpon pusillum Hedwig, Hymenelia ceracea (Arnold) M. Choisy, Lecidella flavosorediata (Vĕzda) Hertel & Leuckert, L. scabra (Taylor) Hertel & Leuckert, Leptogium cyanescens (Rabenh.) Körb., L. intermedium (Arnold) Arnold, Micarea bauchiana (Körb.) V. Wirt & Vĕzda, Ochrolechia szatalensis Vers., Opegrapha rupestris Pers., Oxneria falax (Hepp.) S. Kondr. & Kärnef., Phaeophyscia ciliata (Hoffm.) Moberg, Phaeophyscia sciastra (Ach.) Moberg, Ramalina dilacerata (Hoffm.) Hoffm., Strigula stigmatella (Ach.) R.C. Harris, Trapelia obtegens (Th.Fr.) Hertel, Thelidium zwackii (Hepp.) A. Massal., Thrombium epigeum (Pers.) Wallr. are provided.

The Asian species Veronica arguteserrata that had been slowly penetrating to Europeis first found in Odessa (Ukraine).

An analysis of contemporary state of phytocoenotic diversity of south en Ukraine and principal anthropogenic factors that determine its degradation is provided. In spite of extensive human impact, the region in is characterized by high floristic (more than 2000 species of vascular plants) and coenotic (more than 280 associations) diversity. It is stressed that because of mezophytization, the degradation of steppe communities takes place in reserved and neglected areas. To conserve steppe vegetation it is suggested to use a model of low-intensive farm industry. An overview of the problems of settins the regional econet and the second edition of the Green Data Book of Ukraine is considered. A list of rare, endangered and vulnerable fruticose, fruticulose and herbaceous plain communities in the rank of association is proposed of Southern Ukraine. A short sozological characteristic for each of them is given.

The bryophyte flora of the “Granite-steppe Pobuzhya” RLP (the Mykolaiv region, Southen Ukraine) includes 76 species of 51 genera and 25 families belonging to two divisions: Marchantiophyta (8 spp.) and Bryophyta (68 spp.). There are many typical and rare petricolous bryophytes in this territory: xeric species Oxymitra incrassata (Brot.) Sergio et Sim-Sim, Mannia fragrans (Balbis) Frye et L.Clark, Entosthodon hungaricus (Boros) Loeske etc., and hydrophytic ones Cinclidotus fontinaloides (Hedw.) P.Beauv., Fissidens crassipes Wilson ex Bruch et Schimp., Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw. Among them C. fontinaloides and Entosthodon fascicularis (Hedw.) Müll.Hal. are reported for the first time for the steppe zone of Ukraine.

78 new locations of 28 regional rare plant species: Adoxa moschatelliana L., Anemone sylvestris L., Artemisia salsoloides Willd., Arum elongatum Steven, Asplenium septentrionale (L.) Hoffm., A. trichomanes L., Astragalus pubiflorus DC., A. henningii (Steven) Klokov, Centaurea rutenica Lam., C. tanaitica Klokov, Cerastium pseudobulgaricum Klokov, Chamaecytisus lindemanii (V.Krecz.) Klásková, Corydalis paczoskii N.Busch, Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh., Gagea bohemica (Zauschn.) Schult. et Schult., Dianthus elongatus C.A. Mey., D. pallidiflorus Ser., Echium russicum J.F. Gmel., Iris halophila Pall., Jurinea centauroides Klokov, Hyacinthella pallasiana (Steven) Losinsk, Linaria macroura (M.Bieb.) M.Bieb, Muscari neglectum Guss. ex Ten., Petasites hybridus (L.) P.Gaertn., Mey. et Schreb., Physalis alkekengi L., Polygala cretacea Kotov, Scorzonera purpurea L., Viola cretacea Klokov are found in the Donetsky chain of hills in 2001-2005.