Gymnospermium odessanum is a paleoendemic, a relict species with a narrow disjunctive range, listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. The northernmost of its known natural habitats is located in Kryvyi Rih, within the Slate Rocks tract. This enclave of exceptional phytodiversity is subject to continuously growing recreational pressure. In 2014, tubers of G. odessanum were planted in the post-mining landscape of the city, on a decommissioned iron ore dump. For 11 years, we monitored the formation of an experimental introduced population of the species. The article provides a comparative analysis of the age structure and vitality of natural and artificially created populations. It is demonstrated that attempts to preserve a rare species in the conditions of a post-mining landscape are fully justified. Granting this area the status of a technogenic landscape reserve would ensure the efficient protection of this unique introduced population.

Keywords: age spectra, dynamics, Gymnospermium odessanum, introduced population, viability, vitality

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