The search and study of the distribution conditions of rare plants are important for their protection from extinction and the conservation of biodiversity. This activity becomes even more relevant due to the acceleration of climate change due to anthropogenic impact on biocenoses, in the formation of which plants play a substantial role, creating grass cover of meadows, floodplains, and undergrowth. The purpose of this study was to collect and analyse information on protected plant species and communities in the Ivotka river basin in the Sumy region and study the conditions of their distribution. In the course of the study, field examinations were conducted to search for rare plants and describe the places of their localisation using the route diagnostic method and desk studies to identify the found material. The result of the study was the finding of 28 rare species of vascular plants in the Ivotka river basin within the Sumy region, among which 2 are listed in Resolution No. 6 of the Berne Convention and the Red Book of Ukraine, 10 – in the Red Book of Ukraine, 16 – in the list of plant species that are not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, but are rare or endangered in the territory of the Sumy region. These plants can be classified as especially valuable for conservation that require protection and balanced use of both these species and the biocenosis complex in their distribution territory. It is not enough to change the protected status of the plant species itself or the territory of their localisation to preserve and protect rare plants. Systematic implementation of responsible forest and land use practices is essential to preserve existing biodiversity. The results obtained help to establish the protected status for rare plants, develop measures for their protection and use, and determine the need to implement a system of responsible forest and land use for Biodiversity Conservation

Vakal Anatolii, Klyus Vladislav. Meadow vegetation of the Seim river valley within the territory of the Buryna urban territorial community, Konotop district, Sumy regionAs a result of human economic activity, most of the natural habitats of the Seim River valley within the territory of the Buryn city territorial community of Konotop district, Sumy region, have been destroyed. In this regard, there was a need to study the current state of meadow vegetation in this region. Part of the channel and the left bank of the Seim River is located on the territory of Buryn town community, which is characterized by a developed floodplain with meadow and marsh communities, oxbows, and floodplain terraces. During the research conducted in 2007-2022, it was found that meadow vegetation communities were completely destroyed in large areas, and the remaining ones underwent significant changes in the direction of impoverishment of population, species and coenotic biodiversity. It was found that the meadow vegetation of the Seim River valley within the territory of the Buryn city territorial community is represented by the following classes of formations: true, steppe, marshy and peaty meadows. It was found that the largest areas in the research area are occupied by real meadows and their composition includes the formations -Festuceta pratensis, Alopecureta pratensis, Calamagrostideta epigeios, Agrostideta albae, Festuceta rubrae, Phleeta pratensis, Anthoxantete odorati and Poeta pratensis.Steppe meadows are found in the middle section of the floodplain and are represented by two formations -Agrostideta syreistschikovii and Poeta angustifoliae. On the lower areas of the relief, small marshy meadows are not often found and are mostly represented by groups of formations -Glicerieta maximae, Cariceta acutae, Agrostideta stoloniferae. Peat meadows are represented by only one formation Deschampsieta caespitosae.4 species of the plants brought to the Red Book of Ukraine and 3 -in the Red List of Plant Species, which are regionally rare, uncommon and disappearing and subject to special protection in the Sumy region.