Mykyta Peregrym (the Coordinator of project) during of the investigation in Steppe zone in Ukraine.

Tulipa gesneriana L. (syn. T. schrenkii Regel.) is a rare ornamental plant of flora of Eurasian steppes which is included in Red Data Books of Ukraine, Russia and the several countries of Central Asia. The majority of modern garden tulip forms are deduced on the basis of selection of wild plants of this species. From 2001 till 2006 I carried out field researches of rare and endangered species of plants in Southeast Ukraine and have established that habitats of Tulipa gesneriana are in the critical condition because of significant anthropogenic influence on it.

Tulipa gesneriana L.

In this territory the majority of populations of the species have appeared small number with low parameters of life level. Also I have not found this species in some places where it was specified earlier. The tulip has possibly disappeared. During these expeditions I have found 6 new places where it growths only in Lugans’k region. This fact is the certificate of weak level of scrutiny of Tulipa gesneriana. All these facts have convinced me in the necessity of realizing the project of studying and conservating the habitats of this valuable rare plant in Ukraine.

The fragmentary level of habitats scrutiny of Tulipa gesneriana is the obstacle in business of the species protection. Liquidation of this "white spot” will allow to develop scientific bases of effective conservation of Tulipa gesneriana habitats. Also these data will be a basis for preparation of scientific substantiations for creation of new reserve territories in habitats of the species in Ukraine. Then the scientific substantiations will be left for acceptance of real decision about creating the protected territories, in the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Ukraine, according to the legislation of Ukraine. In several years the majority of these reserve territories will be created by Government of Ukraine.

The distribution of the information about the project as a whole and about Tulipa gesneriana in particular should raise a level of ecological consciousness of the local population. It will positively affect both the condition of the species’ habitats and the condition of steppe ecosystems. Thus, the basic result of the project will be real preservation of Tulipa gesneriana populations in its natural habitats. It is the substantial and long contribution to nature conservation.