The range dynamics of Hemipilia cucullata (Orchidaceae) within Ukraine

Hemipilia cucullata: Orchidaceae is a rare species in the flora of Ukraine. A detailed study of its geographical distribution was carried out to establish the peculiarities of the species range dynamics in the country. Over the two hundred-year period of botanical research since 1805 till 2018, in total 45 local populations of H. cucullata have been recorded in Ukraine, including 28 in the Ukrainian Polissya, 16 in the Forest-Steppe, and one in the Crimean Mountains. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the species range covered the northern part of Ukraine, with a separate exclave located in Crimea. The habitats of H. cucullata are pine forests with a moss layer. Intensive deforestation in the species habitats resulted in the destruction of the moss and litter cover, disruption of water balance, decreased growth of the mycorrhizal fungus Ceratorhiza goodyerae-repentis, and elimination of the populations of H. cucullata in Ukraine. The only locality of H. cucullata is currently known in the Kremenets Mountains National Nature Park, which is separated from the main part of the species range by a significant disjunction. Growth of the population of H. cucullata within the protected area is a prerequisite for its preservation. Due to large-scale invasions of alien plants into habitats of H. cucullata, it is proposed to carry out environmental management, monitoring of the species population, and control of alien plants.