CAREX ATHERODES (CYPERACEAE) IN THE VOLOGDA REGION, RUSSIA

Data on the distribution, biomorphology, ecological and phytocenotic features, and information about protection of Carex atherodes Spreng. in the Vologda Region (European Russia) are presented. The choice of the object of study is associated with the rarity of the species in the region. Wheat sedge is currently known from 34 localities situated in 13 administrative districts. The species has not been found in the western and southwestern districts. Findings of the species fall within the boundaries of 21 squares of grid mapping adopted in Atlas Florae Europaeae. The growth form of the species is defined as a densely bushy simple perennial polycarpic herb with underground stolons. In biotopic terms, C. atherodes prefers mainly forested habitats with flowing moisture (spring bogs, edges of eutrophic and mesotrophic mires, banks of forest and mire rivers and streams). The species is included in the Red Data Book of the Vologda Region with the 2/VU/II conservation status. C. atherodes was recorded within the boundaries of eight special protected natural areas (national park “Russkiy Sever”, landscape natural reserves (zakaznik’s) “Atleka”, “Verdengskiy”, “Gladkiy bor”, “Ozero Druzhinnoe”, “Spasskiy bor”, “Sysoevskiy bor”, and zoological reserve (zakaznik) “Ust'-Retskiy”). The authors recommended to control and monitoring of the state of populations identified in the region, targeted surveys for new places of its growth, and continue conducting bioecological studies of the species.