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Ukr. Bot. J. 2025, 82(6): 535–551
https://doi.org/10.15407/ukrbotj82.06.535
Plant Taxonomy, Geography and Floristics

Algae, bryophytes, and vascular plants of calcareous rocks of the Dumka Cave complex (Dniester Regional Landscape Park, Ukraine)

Mikhailyuk T. 1, Vinogradova O. 1, Nyporko S. 1, Vasheniak I. 2
Abstract

Research on chasmophytic communities of the calcareous cliff of the Dumka Cave complex in the Dniester Regional Landscape Park (Ivano-Frankivsk Region) has revealed diverse vegetation dominated by ferns, bryophytes, and algae. The cave complex was examined in three parts: the so-called “karst bridge” (pile of fragments of a cave vault), limestone blocks at the entrance to the cave, and the walls of the front grotto of the cave. In total, fifty-six species of algae (Cyanobacteria — 21 species, Chlorophyta — 23, Charophyta — 2, Heterokontophyta — 9), 25 species of bryophytes (Marchantiophyta — 8, Bryophyta — 17), and 21 species of vascular plants (Pteridophytina — 5, Spermatophytina — 16) were found in the studied habitat. The highest species diversity was recorded on the karst bridge and the walls at the entrance to the cave. In both locations, the algal cover was dominated by cyanobacteria and green algae. Algae and bryophytes on the walls of the front grotto were less diverse, vascular plants were completely absent. Cyanobacteria were absent, and trebuxiophycean green algae and diatoms predominated. A comparison of the species composition of algae and bryophytes using the Sørensen-Chekanovsky index showed a certain resemblance between the karst bridge and the walls at the entrance to the cave and the specificity of the front grotto of the cave. Among the discovered species of algae, two are first reported for Ukraine (Synechococcus sciophilus and Synechocystis primigenia). Several taxa are rare and noteworthy records (Gloeocapsa coracina, Microcoleus vulgaris, Scotinosphaera sp., Pseudostichococcus undulatus, etc.). Fifteen species of bryophytes are listed for the first time for the park; among them, Pedinophyllum interruptum and Fissidens gracifolius are new records for Ivano-Frankivsk Region. For the latter species, this is the second locality in Ukraine. For Timmia bavarica, a rare species in the Ukrainian Carpathians, this is the third locality in Ivano-Frankivsk Region. Vascular plants are characteristic of shaded epilithic habitats. Such communities belong to the biotope H32c “Cabonate rocks of the temperate zone, occurring on the plain and in the lower mountain belt”, are characterized syntaxonomically as a group of the Polypodietea class, and belong to the second category of rarity and require protection. The main threat to the existence of this biotope is deforestation, which leads to increased light levels, heating of rocks, and moisture deficiency, as well as eutrophication due to recreational load.

Keywords: biodiversity, bryophytes, cyanobacteria, Dniester, Dumka karst cave, terrestrial algae, Ukraine, vascular plants

Full text: PDF (Eng) 6.71M

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