The Current State of Cenopopulations of Some Endemic and Rare Species of the Genus Tulipa L. (Liliaceae) in the Tashkent Region (Uzbekistan)

Abstract—The study of the ontogenetic structure of the coenotic populations of vulnerable, endemic, and rare plant species makes it possible to assess their state under the conditions of anthropogenic transformation of ecosystems and develop the scientific basis for their protection. Central Asia is one of the centers of origin and species diversity of the genus Tulipa L. In the flora of the Republic of Uzbekistan, there are 34 species of tulips, of which 19 species (55.88%) are endangered due to the collection of flowers and bulbs and overgrazing and habitat destruction. These are listed in the national Red Book. This article is devoted to the assessment of the current state of 13 coenotic populations of five rare and endemic species of the genus Tulipa (T. borszczowii, T. butkovii, T. dubia, T. greigii, T. korolkowii), growing in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan in areas with different environmental regimes and levels of anthropogenic pressure. It has been established that eight studied cenopopulations are normal and full-membered; five populations are incomplete, they lack senile individuals, which is a biological feature of the genus Tulipa. Six cenopopulations belong to the left-sided type, their ontogenetic spectrum coincides with the characteristic spectrum of the genus Tulipa; four coenopopulations have a centered type of spectrum, while three are bimodal. The low proportion of juveniles in some of the cenopopulations studied is due to the influence of overgrazing, as well as high competition with other species in the community. It is recommended that a rare endemic of the Central Asian deserts be included in the next edition of the Red Book of Uzbekistan Tulipa borszczowii and national endemic, narrow-local endemic of the Chatkal ridge Tulipa butkovii. It is recommended to create a protected area (zakaznik or natural monument) to preserve the relic sandy massif Dalverzinskie sands in the Tashkent region.