Rare plants and lichens in the Unya River basin (Northern Urals)

For the first time, the article summarizes data on the composition and distribution of rare vascular plants, mosses and lichens in the basin of the Unya River (Northern Urals), on the territory of the Uninsky Complex Reserve and in the protection zone of the Pechora-Ilych State Biosphere Reserve (part of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site "Virgin Forests of Komi"). As a result of field studies in 2022, the flora and lichenobiota of the research area were replenished with 15 taxa of rare plants and lichens, among which Astragalus karelinianus and Alyssum lenense were recorded for the first time in the European North-East of Russia. An analysis of the herbarium collections of the Institute of Biology of Komi Science Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SYKO), Moscow State University (MW) and literature revealed 94 taxa in the research area (48 vascular plants, 16 bryophytes, 30 lichens) included in the main list of protected plants of the Komi Republic, as well as 18 taxa from the additional list in need of biological supervision. Among them, Bryoria fremontii, Calypso bulbosa, Dactylorhiza traunsteineri, Dendriscosticta gelida, Leptogium burnetiae, L. rivulare, Lobaria pulmonaria, Nephromopsis laureri, Rhodiola rosea are listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation. The pivotal role of this territory in preserving the biological diversity of the region, besides the high saturation of rare taxa, is proved by the locations of Astragalus karelinianus, Alyssum lenense, Cynodontium bruntonii, Leptogium burnetiae , being the only ones on the territory of the Komi Republic and the northernmost ones for the species in the Urals. Astragalus karelinianus, Alyssum lenense, Alleniella besseri, Frullania oakesiana, Woodsia heterophylla are recommended for inclusion in the next edition of the regional Red Data Book.