Checklist of Vascular Plant Species in Communities Hosting the Narrow-Range Kazakh Endemic Tanacetum ulutavicum Tzvelev
Citation
Izbassarova Z, Dubynin A, Dimeyeva L (2026). Checklist of Vascular Plant Species in Communities Hosting the Narrow-Range Kazakh Endemic Tanacetum ulutavicum Tzvelev. Version 1.3. Wings - Animal and Plant Conservation and Protection Fund. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/n765pf accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-06-04.Description
This dataset documents the species richness and floristic composition of plant communities associated with the narrow-range Kazakh endemic Tanacetum ulutavicum Tzvelev in the Ulytau low-mountain massif (Ulytau Region, Central Kazakhstan). The core of the dataset is linked to the Important Plant Area (IPA) “Ulytau petrophytic steppes with Tanacetum ulutavicum”, proposed on the basis of field surveys conducted in 2025.
Most vegetation descriptions are located within the boundaries of the IPA “Ulytau petrophytic steppes with T. ulutavicum”, while a smaller portion originates from nearby localities in the Ulytau massif that fall outside the proposed IPA polygons but represent the same ecological context of petrophytic steppe mosaics.
The target species forms local population patches of up to approximately 1,200 m², with densities ranging from 0.06 to 3 individuals per m², typically occurring on rocky substrates and petrophytic microhabitats.
The associated communities exhibit relatively high floristic richness (82 vascular plant species) and include nationally protected and regionally significant taxa (e.g., national Red Book’ Tulipa patens, T. suaveolens, and subendemic species such as Artemisia semiarida and Atraphaxis decipiens).
The dataset is intended to support site-based conservation planning and management, including IPA/KBT documentation, biodiversity monitoring, and future Red List and habitat assessments in the petrophytic steppe landscapes of Central Kazakhstan.
Note on checklist reliability
Species names and authorships were harmonised and updated using modern nomenclatural resources (POWO/WCVP/IPNI) and regional floras and identification guides. Records with uncertain identification or unclear locality attribution should be treated as provisional and may be corrected as new vouchers, expert revisions, or additional surveys become available.
Sampling Description
Study Extent
The study covers the Ulytau low-mountain massif (Ulytau Region, Kazakhstan), with a focus on two proposed IPA polygons (total area 1,372 ha; 557 ha and 815 ha) located largely within the Ulytau State National Nature Park, spanning approximately 508–1,140 m a.s.l. For the two core polygons, the approximate central coordinates are 48.6547° N, 66.9757° E (Polygon 1) and 48.6906° N, 67.0099° E (Polygon 2). The ecological setting is characterised by mosaics of petrophytic steppe and xerophytic shrub communities on rocky and stony substrates. Habitats are mapped and described according to EUNIS classes (E1.1, E1.2, and FD.1), with broad correspondence to IUCN Habitats categories (e.g., Temperate Grassland / Rocky areas; Shrubland).Sampling
Fieldwork combined route-based floristic surveys and point-based geobotanical relevés, including the recording of slope aspect, terrain features, and GPS coordinates (decimal degrees) for key locations. Plant community composition was documented using standard geobotanical methods. The checklist component represents taxa recorded in communities with T. ulutavicum and in closely related petrophytic steppe habitats within the same landscape context.Method steps
- Field surveys and plot-based relevés in petrophytic steppe and associated xerophytic habitats, with documentation of microhabitat conditions and GPS coordinates. Data compilation: merging species lists into a unified dataset and retaining occurrences associated with T. ulutavicum communities and ecologically comparable sites. Taxonomic validation: verification of names and authorships using POWO/WCVP/IPNI and relevant regional sources; standardisation of spelling and synonymy. Context coding (optional): habitat classification (EUNIS) and threat coding using IUCN–CMP Threats v3.2 (e.g., grazing/trampling, recreation, roads and infrastructure).
Taxonomic Coverages
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Plantaerank: kingdom
Geographic Coverages
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Zhanar Izbassarovaoriginator
Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction
Almaty
KZ
email: izbassarovazhanar@gmail.com
homepage: https://www.botsad.kz/
Zhanar Izbassarova
metadata author
Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction
Almaty
KZ
email: izbassarovazhanar@gmail.com
Alexander Dubynin
metadata author
Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction
Almaty
email: adubynin@botsad.kz
Liliya Dimeyeva
originator
Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction
Almaty
KZ
Alexander Dubynin
originator
Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction
Almaty
KZ
email: adubynin@botsad.kz
Zhanar Izbassarova
administrative point of contact
Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction
Almaty
KZ
email: izbassarovazhanar@gmail.com
homepage: https://www.botsad.kz/