Spatial distribution, estimation of number and problems of conservation of rare plant species of the meadow-steppe slope in the village of Yazykovo, Pilninsky district, Nizhny Novgorod region

The flora of the meadow-steppe slope in the vicinity of the village of Yazykovo in the Pilninsky district of the Nizhny Novgorod region, at the intersection of the M12 expressway, is represented by 128 plant species from 88 genera and 31 families. The ecological and cenotic structure of the flora indicates a variety of environmental conditions. 11 plant species listed in the Red Book of the Nizhny Novgorod region (2017) ( Anemone sylvestris , Senecio schwetzowii , Artemisia armeniaca , Stipa capillata , Thesium ebracteatum , Galium tinctorium , Campanula wolgensis , C. sibirica , Astragalus austriacus , Scorzonera purpurea , Dianthus campestris ) and 3 species listed in Appendix 2 to it ( Ononis arvensis , Oxytropis pilosa , Euphorbia rossica ). Mapping of 290 rare species localities demonstrates the uneven spatial distribution and fragmentation of cenopopulations, due to the nature of the relief, soil cover, and the degree of anthropogenic impact. The conducted studies give an idea of the number of populations of rare plant species, allow us to make suggestions for their conservation, floristic monitoring, and making clarifications to the materials on the maintenance of the Red Data Book of the Nizhny Novgorod region.