Introduction

Emphasizing the importance of a problem of preservation of a biodiversity it should be noted that Kazakhstan is located in the center of Eurasia with the square taking the ninth place in the world and has almost all types of the landscapes existing on the globe. Such variety of landscapes, and also the existence of the seas and lakes define the richest variety of animals and flora of Kazakhstan. As stability of the biosphere directly depends on wealth and a variety of its components, preservation of a plant and animal life of Kazakhstan is very important for ecological stability not only in Eurasia, but also for the biosphere in general. Extensiveness of the territory of Kazakhstan and specifics of his nature define a big variety and complexity of internal interrelations of its components in complexes of natural landscapes, their zone and zone structure. Kazakhstan on a variety of bio-resources, quantity of raw and trade stocks of a plant and animal life occupies the first place among the states of Central Asia – the Republics of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

For the last century there have been many changes on the territory of the country, the cover, landscapes, vegetable are changed in many regions, ecosystems are degraded.

In Kazakhstan about 14 % of flora belongs to endemic species [1, 2], among them there are many relict plants. Endemic plants, as a rule, are the most vulnerable as they have small natural reserves and narrow areas of spreading. So, at the territory of Kazakhstan are more than 700 endemics among them on the territory of the Central and Northern Kazakhstan are growing more than 70 species; 37 plants need protection and further studying.

Investigations on preservation of rare, endangered and endemic species plants in the nature and culture are presented across Kazakhstan [3-7]. Although they have fragmentary character, are more directed to introductive researches. Practically there are no data on morphology of many endemics in nature, on structure of populations, number, features of reproduction and ontogenesis.

The purpose of the present research was the studying of the distribution and specific structure of endemic plants of the Karaganda region’s flora (the Central Kazakhstan).

Methodology

Objects of researches were natural populations of endemic plants of flora of the Central Kazakhstan.

The preliminary analysis of a specific variety and distribution of endemic species at the territory of the Karaganda region was carried out on the basis of literary data [8-19], the analysis of the herbarium materials (herbaria funds of JSC International Research and Productive Holding “Phytochemistry”, Karaganda State University named after academician Ye.A. Buketov, Zhezkazgan University named after O.A. Baykonurov, Zhezkazgan Botanical Garden, Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, Buyratau State National Natural Park, specification specific structure and areas – by results of own field inspections.

Field researches are conducted during the vegetative periods of 2012-2015 on certain areas of the Karaganda region.

Definition of plants and allocation of endemics was carried out on “Flora of Kazakhstan” [2], “Determinant of plants of Karkaraly national park” [20], determinant of Brassicaceae family [21]. Names and systematization of species are provided by a taxon according to S.K. Cherepanov reference book [22].

For the studied species of plants vital forms and ecological group are noted. Vital forms revealed according to I.G. Serebryakov’s technique [23]. Allocation of departments is based on structure of elevated axes (wood, semi-wood and grassy plants), types – on relative longevity of plants in general – one – two-and long-term. Ecological groups are allocated in relation to conditions of moistening [24].

Results and discussion

The territory of the Central Kazakhstan of the Karaganda region is located within a continental West Siberian steppe zone and occupies the median position in the republic, bordering with Akmola and Pavlodar regions in the south, with Kustanay oblast in north-west, in the east with East Kazakhstan oblast, in the south – with Zhambyl and Southern Kazakhstan, in the southwest – Kyzyl-Orda oblast. The area of the region makes 428 thousand square km. The territory is extended from the North to the south on 1300 km, from the East to the west on 700 km [25].

In the territory of the Central Kazakhstan the following floristic districts are located: Western low hills, East low hills, Ulytau, Karkaraly, Betpakdala [2].

Negative sides of a geographical position of the Karaganda region [25, 26] are expressed in dryness of climate, a low rainfall (because of equal to remoteness from all four oceans). The general and typical sign for climate of the Republic and, in particular, the Karaganda region is the continental mode of air temperature of which big contrast, sharp seasonal and inter-annual fluctuations is characteristic.

The preliminary analysis of flora of the Karaganda region (the Central Kazakhstan) has shown growth of 101 species of the endemic plants relating to 50 genes and 18 families [2, 16].

On the basis of own field researches, literary sources and the herbarium materials we have carried out forwarding departures which have allowed to specify distribution of species across the territory of the Karaganda region and to make the list of endemic species of the Central Kazakhstan (table 1).

Table 1: Taxonomic composition of endemic plant species of Karagandy region

The general specific structure of endemic plants makes 116 species from 57 genes and 21 families. The greatest number of species is concentrated in families Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Boraginaceae, Fabaceae (figure 1).

Figure 1: Quantitative structure of endemic plants in the dominating families of flora of the Karaganda region Click here to View figure

The largest genes which maintain the greatest number of endemic species of plants are Artemisia (8), Lappula (6), Silene (6), Astragalus (10), Zygophyllum (5). On the basis of the obtained data the conspectus of flora of endemic plants of the Karaganda region is made.

The analysis of vital forms has allowed revealing 6 groups: annual- and biennial plants, perennial plants, semi-low shrubs, semi-bushes, bushes and trees (figure 2).

The greatest number of species is concentrated among grassy perennials plants – 73, the second position is taken to annual and biennial plants (21 species), the third is taken to semi-low shrubs (14 species). The last place belongs to trees – 1 plant.

The analysis of endemic plants on ecological groups in relation to conditions of moistening has allowed revealing 5 groups: xerophytes, mesophytes, hygrophytes, meso-xerophytes and xero-mesophytes. The greatest number of species is carried to group of xerophytes – 87 species, on the second the place of a meso-xerophytes – 13 species, on the third – mesophytes with 10 species (figure 3). The smallest number of species is concentrated in group of hygrophytes – 1.

Figure 2: The life forms of endemic plants of the Karagandy region (the Central Kazakhstan) Click here to View figure

Figure 3: Ratio of endemic species of flora of the Karaganda region on ecological groups Click here to View figure

Following the results of a condition of populations all revealed endemic species have been broken into 3 categories:

1) Widespread plants, well renewing in the seed or vegetative way, are poorly subject to an anthropogenous pressure therefore their state doesn’t demand special measures for protection – 38 species. They are needed regular monitoring of a condition of populations.

Such endemic plants as Medicago trautvetteri, Hyssopus macranthus and Serratula dissecta are carried to them.

2) Plants which extended sporadically, which are moderately renewing in the seed or vegetative way – 62 species. Seed reproduction is not regular. The strengthened anthropogenous pressure because of economic or decorative characteristics of a species is possible. It is necessary to limit economic activity (a cattle pasture, haymaking) in territories with this species, a regular seasonal monitoring of a condition of coenopopulations. Preservation of plant is not only ex situ, but also introduction to culture, introduction to banks of seeds for preservation of genetic potential is desirable.

These are the following endemic plants: Iris haemotophylla, Silene holopetala, Rumex komarovii.

3) Seldom found species of plants – 15 species. Populations badly compete with other species, not regular and weak seed reproduction. Populations tend to reduction of an area and aging. Plants can be exposed to a considerable anthropogenous pressure. It is necessary to forbid economic activity (a cattle pasture, haymaking) in territories with these species; regular seasonal monitoring of a condition of coenopopulations; introduction to culture, introduction to banks of seeds for preservation of genetic potential. Development of a complex of actions for reintroduction of species is necessary. Among this group are Papaver tenellum and Astragalus unijugus.

Conclusion

Thus, the specific structure of endemic species of plants at the territory of the Central Kazakhstan is specified, ranging of plants in vital forms, ecological groups and degree of prevalence is carried out.

Received data can be used for monitoring of environment and development of actions for protection of endemics at the territory of the State National Natural Parks.

Acknowledgments

Researches are executed within the grant project of Committee of Science of Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan “Studying of a current state of populations of endemic plants of Northern and Central Kazakhstan and development of methods of preservation of genetic material” (2015-2017).

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