Correlations of soil properties and fruit size of Calligonum mongolicum Turcz. and related species were analyzed. The results showed that the particle size characteristics of soils for growing Calligonum mongolicum and related species were similar, and the soils belonged to sandyones. The organic matter contents of soils were low (averaging 1.772 to 3.054 g/kg), and the total salt content of soils was low too (averaging 0.471 g/kg). The pH values indicated that the soils were alkaline, varying from pH 7.65 to 10.25. The results of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster showed that 9 habitats could be divided into 6 types according to salt contents and pH values. Fruit sizes of different populations and the soil properties had significant linear correlations (P<0.000). It was concluded that the differences in fruit sizes among the populations of Calligonum mongolicum and related species were related to soil variability, especially the nutrient contents of soils, and fruit size can not be considered as a taxonomic index of Calligonum mongolicum and related species.

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The northern part of the Ustyurt plateau is the main area in Uzbekistan where rare and interesting species Lagochilus acutilobus occurs. The intensified exploration and production of natural gas carried out in recent years by Uzbekistan's National holding company "Uzbekneftegaz" together with the Russian companies "Lukoil" and "Gazprom" is the main factor degrading the soil and vegetation in this region. Trial drilling, expansion and reconstruction of gas pipelines, as well as the accompanying intensification of transport, cause changes in the distribution and resources of the Lagochilus acutilobus populations. Monitoring of Lagochilus acutilobus was performed in the conditions of strong environmental changes caused by the direct impact of anthropogenic factors enhanced by desiccation of the Aral Sea, the western coast of which bordered previously on the eastern part of the Ustyurt plateau. The species distribution was determined during a series of expeditions in 2011-2013. The maps prepared in the GIS technology show the route and the species occurrence sites located by a GPS receiver. The paper presents the types of plant communities and vegetation complexes in which the studied species occurred. Furthermore, there were determined differences in the abundance of Lagochilus acutilobus in these ecological systems.

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The current state of coenotic populations of rare and endangered species of Uzbekistan-Tulipa lehmanniana Merckl. is given. Within the western part of the area (Kyzylkum desert) in different ecological and phytocenotic conditions, 8 coenotic populations of the species were identified. Based on the number of organism and population traits, the current state of coenotic populations of the species was evaluated. It was revealed that the vast majority of coenopopulations are in pessimal state. Coenopopulation only growing on the eastern part of the mountain Kuljuktau was assessed as optimal.