Plant Collections of the E. Gareev Botanical Garden: Diversity and Characteristics

The article presents the results of long-term research on plant introduction and the establishment of plant collections at the E. Gareev Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. The aim of the research was to preserve, expand, and comprehensively investigate the living plant collection of the E. Gareev Botanical Garden. Phenological, ontogenetic, and biological characteristics were examined, along with plant adaptation to the soil and climatic conditions of the Chui Valley. The living collection comprises 495 woody and shrub taxa (48 families, 121 genera), including 80 coniferous and 415 deciduous species. Notably, 63 native Kyrgyz taxa were identified, comprising 5 coniferous and 58 deciduous tree species, with 30 subendemics and 2 endemics. The herbaceous collection includes 57 native Kyrgyzstan species, of which 5 are endemic, 37 are subendemic, and 14 are listed in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. Additionally, 117 medicinal species and varieties were documented, with 48 species (41 genera, 15 families) representing the native flora. Species from the low-mountain valleys, foothills, and lower mountain belts exhibited the highest adaptation success, whereas high-mountain species showed comparatively lower establishment rates. These findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing ex situ conservation strategies and expanding the botanical garden’s collection through targeted introduction programs.