Old cemeteries help to protect endangered and protected vascular plant species in the Right–Bank of Dnipro Grass Steppe District, southern Ukraine

Biodiversity Data Journal 13: e176357 doi: 10.3897/BDJ.13.e176357 Data Paper Old cemeteries help to protect endangered and protected vascular plant species in the Right–Bank of Dnipro Grass Steppe District, southern Ukraine Nadiia Skobel , Ivan Moysiyenko ‡ Kherson State University, Kherson, Ukraine § F. Falz-Fein Biosphere Reserve “Askania Nova”, Kyiv, Ukraine | M. Kholodnyi`s Institute of botany NAS Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine Corresponding author: Nadiia Skobel ([email protected]) Academic editor: Jörg Holetschek Received: 28 Oct 2025 | Accepted: 26 Nov 2025 | Published: 02 Dec 2025 Citation: Skobel N, Moysiyenko I (2025) Old cemeteries help to protect endangered and protected vascular plant species in the Right–Bank of Dnipro Grass Steppe District, southern Ukraine. Biodiversity Data Journal 13: e176357. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.13.e176357 Abstract Background The dataset contains records of vascular plant species occurrences and distribution in 39 old cemeteries of the Right–Bank Dnipro Grass Steppe District (southern Ukraine). It documents 635 vascular plant species. Notably, the high vascular plant diversity of old cemeteries includes 58 protected species (10.4% of the total recorded flora) with varying conservation statuses. The dataset underscores the conservation significance of old cemeteries in southern Ukraine by documenting the presence of protected species. Old cemeteries contribute to the conservation of endangered and protected vascular plant species outside legally protected steppe areas. Therefore, where they are abundant, they may play an important role in the future restitution of the European and Eurasian steppes. ‡ ‡,§,| This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC0 Public Domain Dedication. New information The dataset contains 6,923 occurrences of vascular plants (635 species) recorded in 2023-2024 in 39 old cemeteries of the Right–Bank Dnipro Grass Steppe District. The dataset includes information on 427 occurrences of 58 protected species of particular conservation interest mentioned in Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention as well as in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and regional Red Lists. This dataset highlights the significance of old cemeteries as pivotal refugia for vascular plant biodiversity within southern Ukraine. The high number of endangered and protected vascular plant species present in old cemeteries provides a critical opportunity for future conservation efforts, thereby contributing directly to biodiversity protection objectives. Keywords biodiversity, floristic richness, protected species, grasslands, Red Data Book of Ukraine, Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention, species-area relationships Introduction Anthropogenic activities have led to a significant loss of natural habitats over the last few centuries worldwide (Löki et al. 2019, Radić and Gavrilović 2020) and in the Ukraine (Burkovskyi et al. 2013). Steppes once occupied about 40% of the territory of Ukraine (Korotchenko and Peregrym 2012), while, today, steppe remnants have survived in only 1-3% of the natural and semi-natural steppes (Burkovskyi et al. 2013, Korotchenko and Peregrym 2012). The steppe zone of Ukraine faces acute anthropogenic pressure where intensive agriculture and land-use practices, driven by the nutrient-rich and easily cultivated chornozem soils, as well as extensive steppe areas located in favourable topographic conditions and secondly resulted from exceptionally easy terms for agricultural exploitation with minimal need of drainage or tree removal (Korotchenko and Peregrym 2012, Burkovskyi et al. 2013), have largely eliminated the majority of natural steppe flora threatening numerous protected and characteristic steppe species. As a result, the steppes have been almost completely destroyed and are preserved today mainly in protected areas and in habitats unsuitable for agriculture (ravines, gullies, river terraces and sea cliffs) (Burkovskyi et al. 2013). Consequently, the profound degradation and fragmentation of the steppe necessitate a quantitative assessment of protected species abundance and the viability of remnant populations within these small habitat islands. The ultimate goal is the designation of valuable sites as Nature Conservation Areas. Such formalisation is essential to prevent their continued destruction through agricultural encroachment or land recultivation. 2Skobel N, Moysiyenko I The problem of biodiversity conservation is recognised as one of the global problems of humanity and is a priority at the state level (Chusova et al. 2022). This is evidenced by the close attention paid to this issue by international nature conservation organisations operating under the auspices of UNESCO, IUCN etc. (Kuzemko 2018, Vasyliuk et al. 2022). Recent studies have demonstrated the high importance of habitat islands of anthropogenic origin, such as burial mounds (kurgans) (Moysiyenko and SudnikWójcikowska 2006a, Moysiyenko and Sudnik-Wójcikowska 2006b, Sudnik-Wójcikowska and Moysiyenko 2006, Moysiyenko and Sudnik-Wójcikowska 2008, Sudnik-Wójcikowska and Moysiyenko 2008, Moysiyenko and Sudnik-Wójcikowska 2009, Moysiyenko and Sudnik-Wójcikowska 2010, Sudnik-Wójcikowska and Moysiyenko 2010, SudnikWójcikowska et al. 2011, Sudnik-Wójcikowska and Moysiyenko 2011a, SudnikWójcikowska and Moysiyenko 2011b, Sudnik-Wójcikowska and Moysiyenko 2011c, Sudnik-Wójcikowska and Moysiyenko 2012, Moysiyenko et al. 2014, Deák et al. 2016a, Deák et al. 2016b, Deák et al. 2018, Valkó et al. 2018, Deák et al. 2019, Deák et al. 2020, Moysiyenko et al. 2023, Deák et al. 2024), old settlements (Dayneko 2020, Dayneko et al. 2020, Dayneko et al. 2023) and old cemeteries (Molnár et al. 2018, Barrett and Barrett 2001, Seaton et al. 2015, Czarna 2016, Kowarik et al. 2016, Čanády and Mošanský 2017 , Karger et al. 2017, Molnár et al. 2018a, Löki et al. 2019, Nowińska et al. 2020, Itescu and Jeschke 2024), as sites for the preservation of biodiversity, under extensive land use and abandonment (Löki et al. 2019). In our study, we define old cemeteries as cultural heritage sites established more than 100 years ago (Moysiyenko et al. 2021). We found that the presence of characteristic steppe species, such as Festuca valesiaca agg., Koeleria macrantha, Stipa capillata and a high proportion of natural nonsynanthropic and protected species, compared to invasive species, indicates a comparatively high degree of preservation of steppe flora in the old cemeteries. According to the first studies, the flora of the Right–Bank of Dnipro Grass Steppe District includes more than 650 species of vascular plants and 60 protected species of vascular plants (Moysiyenko et al. 2021, Skobel and Moysiyenko 2021, Skobel et al. 2023, Skobel et al. 2024). The sacred status of old cemeteries, protected by cultural reverence (Moysiyenko et al. 2021), has allowed the long-term persistence of steppe flora, positioning them as indispensable subjects for conservation research and future protective designation. The aims that were set for this study The aim of this research is to evaluate the species richness in old cemeteries of the Right–Bank Dnipro Grass Steppe District, analyse the presence of the protected vascular plant species and propose the potential designation of Emerald Network Sites for these areas. Old cemeteries help to protect endangered and protected vascular plant ... 3 Project description Title:IAVS Special grant to support the research of Ukrainian members: "Plant diversity and species–area relationships modelling of steppe enclaves within old cemeteries of Northern Prychornomoria region (Northern Black Sea Region) of Southern Ukraine", with the support of the programme-targeted of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 0125U000701 ("Development and use of methodologies and algorithms for assessing the impact of military actions on the phytodiversity of natural ecosystems in Ukraine to determine their losses, restorative and adaptive potential"). Sampling methods Description:In our study, we define old cemeteries as cultural heritage sites established more than 100 years ago (Moysiyenko et al. 2021). We sampled 39 old cemeteries located within the Right-Bank Dnipro Grass Steppe District (the western Bank of Ukraine, southern Ukraine). Territory according to the Geobotanical zoning of Ukraine and adjacent areas (Didukh and Shelyag-Sosonko 2003), i.e. Dnipopetrovsk, Mykolaiv and Odesa administrative Regions (47.96-44.80° N, 34.80-28.96 °E). The area of the old cemeteries the varies from 0.1 ha to 32.5 ha. The total area of all old cemeteries is 112.91 ha (Figs 1, 2, Table 1). №Site location Region L atitude L ongitude The establishment date of the village (*date of the earliest probable burial) Area [ha] 1 Balovne Mykolaiv 47.05375 31.88997 1679 2.29 2 Borysivka Odesa 45.79252 29.63721 1860th 2.00 3 Buldynka Odesa 46.66259 30.97027 1803 1.88 4 Chervonyi Tik Dnipropetrovsk 47.66093 33.91062 1927 1.50 5 Fedorivka Mykolaiv 46.74904 31.31671 1800 1.32 6 Hlyboke Odesa 45.72758 29.61954 1841 2.73 7 Inhulka Mykolaiv 47.20028 32.21721 1802 4.26 8 Jewish cemetery c. Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Odesa 46.18348 30.32564 1855-1865 0.35 9 Kamianka Mykolaiv 46.81579 31.67946 1790 2.41 10 Khrystoforivka Mykolaiv 47.27312 32.25278 1799 1.20 11 Korolivske Mykolaiv 46.90317 31.82694 1926 (*1860th) 0.31 12 Kosivka Odesa 45.99369 30.31176 1834 0.70 Table 1. Overview of the investigated old cemeteries in the area of the Right-Bank of Dnipro Grass Steppe. 4Skobel N, Moysiyenko I №Site location Region L atitude L ongitude The establishment date of the village (*date of the earliest probable burial) Area [ha] 13 Kostiantynivka Mykolaiv 47.10246 31.91573 1783 2.46 14 Kozatske Odesa 46.35441 30.04403 1774 3.14 15 Kryzhanivka Odesa 46.55970 30.79762 1775 0.75 16 Liubopil Odesa 46.71708 31.10016 1886 1.88 17 Lymany Odesa 45.66227 29.75072 1812 3.62 18 Mykolaivskyi Nekropol Mykolaiv 46.96710 32.03437 1795 32.5 19 Nerubaiske Odesa 46.53696 30.63211 1795 4.67 20 Nova Dofynivka Odesa 46.57588 30.91226 1860th 3.83 21 Novobohdanivka (large cemetery) Mykolaiv 46.87475 31.97262 1865 1.47 22 Novobohdanivka (small cemetery) Mykolaiv 46.87691 31.97300 1920th 0.70 23 Odradove Odesa 46.68112 30.44364 1637 0.87 24 Popazdra Odesa 45.98527 30.30772 1824 0.81 25 Prylymanske Odesa 46.41669 30.58563 1793 0.17 26 Pshonianove Odesa 46.79646 31.12706 1850 0.10 27 Sebyne Mykolaiv 47.19786 31.86705 1792 0.89 28 Shestirnia Dnipropetrovsk 47.55568 33.29056 1689 2.25 29 Shyroke Dnipropetrovsk 47.70054 33.27255 1787 8.94 30 Skobeleve Mykolaiv 47.62009 32.84738 1875 1.55 31 Starokozachie Odesa 46.33639 29.99886 1824 3.48 32 Sychavka Odesa 46.64408 31.09515 1801 1.95 33 Trapivka Odesa 45.79188 29.70363 1829 2.12 34 Usatove Odesa 46.52809 30.67081 1775 8.40 35 Ust-Kamianka Dnipropetrovsk 47.64458 34.01116 1754 0.58 36 Velyka Korenykha Mykolaiv 46.93656 31.90702 1860th 0.34 37 Velykyi Dalnyk Odesa 46.44588 30.57997 1795 2.72 38 Vypasne Odesa 46.20309 30.25639 1795 1.32 39 Yelysavetivka Odesa 46.69705 30.50187 1856 0.45 Sampling description:We searched for old cemeteries in the bibliographical sources for research. The selection of old cemeteries in 2023-2024 for the research was based on ongoing materials from the Google map "Ancient Cemeteries of Ukraine" (Ukraine Incognita 2025) and biographic data on the dates of foundation of human settlement Old cemeteries help to protect endangered and protected vascular plant ... 5 community (Maps of Schubert 1865, Vasyliev 1967-1972,Malyna 2009). In the absence of precise dates, we used the founding date of the village as a necessary proximate estimate for the cemetery's establishment, as the two events typically occurred around the same time. The area and boundaries of the old cemeteries were determined using Google Earth and include the entire area of the old cemeteries, including the area of new burials if the old cemetery were extended (Google Earth 2025). We carried out a visual analysis, based on satellite images, with particular emphasis on the selection of cemeteries that were not overgrown and not covered with phanerophytes. In order to carry out a study of the flora of the area in question and of the presence of steppe refugia in the old cemeteries, we followed the following criteria, which could only be checked in the field: ● Presence of protected species (Red List of Dnipopetrovsk Region 2011, Red List of Mykovaliv Region 2012, Red List of Odesa Region 2013), Red Data Book of Ukraine (Didukh 2009); Figure 1. Examples of old cemeteries of the Right-Bank of Dnipro Grass Steppe. Abbreviations: A Borysivka; B Buldynka; C Chervonyi Tik; D Fedorivka; E Hlyboke; F Inhulka; G Kamianka; H Khrystoforivka; I Kosivka; J Kostiantynivka; K Lymany; L Shestirnia. Photos: N. Skobel.  6Skobel N, Moysiyenko I ● Presence of bunch-grasses (or tussock grasses such as Festuca, Koeleria, Stipa etc.) and other steppe species (from the class Festuco-Brometea (Mucina et al. 2016)). To obtain this dataset, we investigated flora of 39 old cemeteries in the investigated area. To include different phenological aspects, we visited each site in different seasons of a year: in spring (April/May), summer (July) and autumn (October). Quality control:Some specimens of the vascular plants were collected and stored in the Herbarium of University of Warsaw (WA). After digitising the data, we harmonised the taxonomic information according to the nomenclature sources: for vascular plants “Ukrainian Plant Trait Database: UkrTrait v. 1.0” - (Vynokurov et al. 2024). Then we used GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF species matching tool: https://www.gbif.org/tools/ species-lookup) for the taxonomic check and implemented minor corrections of species names regarding misprints and problematic taxa to avoid misinterpretation. We additionally checked and verified the header data using OpenRefine (https:// openrefine.org/) and QGIS 3.38 (https://qgis.org) for quality control. 1. Step description:Site selection, field research; 2. Identification of herbarium specimens of vascular plants; 3. Recording and identification of vascular plants with using road-field methods; Figure 2. Map of Ukraine according to climatic definitions of the world’s terrestrial biomes (Loidi et al. 2022) and vector map (Loidi and Vynokurov 2024), with the study area -Right-Bank of Dnipro Grass Steppe (RBDGS), country border, extracted from OpenStreetMap (openstreetmap.org).  Old cemeteries help to protect endangered and protected vascular plant ... 7 4. Digitising the field data forms; 5. Data checking and cleaning was performed using OpenRefine (OpenRefine 2025); 6. Transformation of the dataset according to the Darwin Core standards (Wieczorek et al. 2012); 7. Taxonomic check, final quality control. Geographic coverage Description:This area is situated in the south-western part of the Steppe Zone of Ukraine (Didukh and Shelyag-Sosonko 2003). The Right-Bank Dnipro Grass Steppe District is characterised by low precipitation, which decreases from north to south and west to east (400-450 mm per year) (Marynych and Shyshchenko 2005). The average annual temperature exhibits a north-south gradient, with higher values observed in the southern regions and lower values in the northern regions (11.7°-8.4°C) (Karger et al. 2017). The average summer temperature is +30°C, the average winter temperature is no more than +4°C (Karger et al. 2017) with extreme temperatures of +40°C in summer and -28°C in winter (Karger et al. 2017). Soil resources of the Right-Bank Dnipro Grass Steppe District are represented by normal and southern chernozems and dark kastanozems in the southeast (Marynych and Shyshchenko 2005). Coordinates:47.96 and 44.80 Latitude; 34.80 and 28.96 Longitude. Taxonomic coverage Description:The Scientic Names of species are given, according to Ukrainian Plant Trait Database: UkrTrait v. 1.0 (Vynokurov et al. 2024). The total list of flora in situ includes 635 species of spontaneous vascular plants. All occurrences are classified to one phylum Tracheophyta, to three classes (Gnetopsida, Liliopsida, Magnoliopsida) and to 33 orders (Apiales, Asparagales, Asterales, Boraginales, Brassicales, Caryophyllales, Celastrales, Cornales, Cucurbitales, Dipsacales, Ephedrales, Ericales, Fabales, Fagales, Gentianales, Geraniales, Lamiales, Liliales, Malpighiales, Malvales, Myrtales, Oxalidales, Pinales, Piperales, Poales, Ranunculales, Rosales, Santalales, Sapindales, Saxifragales, Solanales, Vitales, Zygophyllales). Taxa included: Rank Scientific Name kingdom Plantae 8Skobel N, Moysiyenko I Temporal coverage Living time period:2023/2024. Usage licence Usage licence:Open Data Commons Attribution License IP rights notes:This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 Licence. Data resources Data package title:Vascular plants of old cemeteries (southern Ukraine) Resource link: https://doi.org/10.15468/xbpxhj Number of data sets:1 Data set name:Records of vascular plants at the old cemeteries in the Right-Bank of Dnipro Grass Steppe District (southern Ukraine) Download URL: https://www.gbif.org/dataset/de0b1cd2-142e-4a22-961f-a2edc 36a2ed9 Data format:Darwin Core Description: The dataset includes a table with 27 fields in Darwin Core terms and 6923 records (Skobel and Moysiyenko 2024). Column label Column description occurrenceID An identifier of a particular occurrence, unique within this dataset. We used the species occurrence numbers. scientificName The original names according to ‘Ukrainian Plant Trait Database: UkrTrait v. 1.0’, corrected for spelling mistakes using GBIF Species Matching tool. eventDate The date-time or interval during which an Event occurred. basisOfRecord The method in which data were acquired (HumanObservation). geodeticDatum The geodetic datum upon which the geographic coordinates are given. In our case, it is always WGS84. georeferencedBy The person who determined the georeference. georeferenceProtocol The description of the method used to determine coordinates (GPS). recordedBy The persons who is responsible for recording the original Occurrence. Old cemeteries help to protect endangered and protected vascular plant ... 9 Old cemeteries in Ukraine are characterised by a number of challenges when it comes to preserving biodiversity (Moysiyenko et al. 2021, Skobel and Moysiyenko 2021, Skobel et al. 2023, Skobel and Moysiyenko 2024, Skobel et al. 2024, Skobel and Moysiyenko 2025). These include elimination of sites, re-purposing of land, reburials and the absence of a management plan (Figs 4, 5, 6). A salient issue is the absence of a comprehensive register of old cemeteries. This lack of documentation has the potential to result in the neglect and subsequent destruction of many historic burial grounds. The transformation of biologically valuable old cemeteries into formally recognised Nature Conservation Areas represents a critical administrative and legal step to guarantee the long-term protection of their flora. Achieving conservation status requires a coordinated administrative effort utilising national and international legal instruments for effective, long-term stewardship. Potential of design and conservation of the Emerald Network territories within old cemeteries in southern Ukraine It is suggested that active conservation intervention in natural burial sites should only take place if the protection of the site cannot be ensured otherwise. This strategy is also favourable in view of the limited capacity of policy-makers to manage conservation issues (Löki et al. 2019). It is important to note that there is a movement in Ukraine aimed at preserving the historical and cultural heritage of old cemeteries, implemented by the NGO, Ukraine Incognita, within the framework of the "Ancient Cemeteries of Ukraine" project (Ukraine Incognita 2025). In the future, for some particularly valuable sites, it will be possible to introduce comprehensive protection that will contribute to the preservation of natural, historical and cultural values. A similar approach to cultural heritage sites in Ukraine has already been proposed for burial mounds (Sudnik-Wójcikowska and Moysiyenko 2012). The presence of species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and regional Red Lists provides a basis (according to current Ukrainian law) for the creation of nature conservation areas (Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy 1992). In our opinion, old abandoned cemeteries could be designated as natural monuments. The designation of natural monuments is carried out without expropriating land plots and other natural objects from their owners. Natural monuments are individual unique natural formations with special environmental, scientific, aesthetic, educational and cultural significance. Their designation aims to preserve them in their natural state (Verkhovna Rada Ukrainy 1992). The old cemeteries contain three types of protected habitats from Resolution 4 of the Bern Convention: E1.2 Perennial calcareous grasslands and basic steppes, F3.241 Central European subcontinental thickets and F3.247 Ponto-Sarmatic deciduous thickets. The habitat E1.2 is characterised by the highest conservation value (Skobel et al. 2024). Moreover, the presence of species listed in Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention (Council of Europe 1998) and habitats listed in Resolution 4 of the Bern Convention (Council of 16 Skobel N, Moysiyenko I Europe 1996) provides a rationale for establishing an Emerald Network site within old cemeteries – to protect these sites from new burials and reburials and to support the implementation of a management plan. The lack of management plans has resulted in the accumulation of litter in most of these cemeteries. We propose to preserve the steppe flora of old cemeteries through orderly management. In particular, mowing and cutting of tree and shrub vegetation would be most appropriate. We have observed grazing and burning in some old cemeteries, but we do not consider these practices ethical to recommend as management recommendations at these cultural heritage sites. For Ukraine, the establishment of the Emerald Network, as a component of the panEuropean ecological network, represents a key element of the European integration process. This initiative is being implemented within the framework of the provisions of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Council of Europe 1978), which has been ratified by Ukraine. The integration of Emerald Network territories into the Natura 2000 network is expected upon the country's accession to the European Union, given that both networks are designed according to similar principles (Vasyliuk et al. 2019). According to the Conservation Evidence, the action "Legally protected habitats" is likely to be beneficial (Walsh et al. 2023). The establishment and development of local and European protected areas in Ukraine is undoubtedly valuable for conservation. Such protection will help ensure that old cemeteries are preserved and not destroyed. The purpose of a conservation management plan is to implement the conservation strategy and to establish detailed objectives for the integrated management of natural and cultural heritage sites. It is an important tool widely used in many countries to guide future care and sustainable use. Conclusion Old cemeteries, persisting within the intensively cultivated landscape of Ukraine, constitute unique enclaves of endangered and protected vascular plant species. Together with other remaining fragments of natural or semi-natural steppe vegetation, they could play a significant role in the restoration of European steppes. The creation of legally mandated protected areas is essential. This formal administrative designation provides the legal mandate to shield these conservation assets from detrimental anthropogenic processes (liquidation, land re-profiling and repeated disruptive burials), ensuring the long-term in situ persistence of their natural heritage. Acknowledgements Investigation supported IAVS Special grant to support the research of Ukrainian members. "Plant diversity and species-area relationships modelling of steppe enclaves within of Northern Prychornomoria Region (Northern Black Sea Region) of Southern Old cemeteries help to protect endangered and protected vascular plant ... 17 Ukraine" and with the support of the programme-targeted of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 0125U000701 ("Development and use of methodologies and algorithms for assessing the impact of military actions on the phytodiversity of natural ecosystems in Ukraine to determine their losses, restorative and adaptive potential"). We would like to express our deep appreciation to the members of the expedition teams Emilia Heinzel, Kateryna Kalashnik, Olena Shchepeleva, Nataliia Velychko and Dmytro Krasko for his assistance with data cleaning and to Oleksandr Shynder with species identification. We are also grateful to the reviewers for their valuable input regarding the wording of the arctile. Author contributions Conceptualisation: Nadiia Skobel, Ivan Moysiyenko. Data collecting, organising and curation: Ivan Moysiyenko, Nadiia Skobel. Dataset organising in terms of the GBIF platform: Nadiia Skobel. Formal analysis and investigation: Nadiia Skobel, Ivan Moysiyenko. Resources: Ivan Moysiyenko, Nadiia Skobel. Validation: Ivan Moysiyenko, Nadiia Skobel. Visualisation: Nadiia Skobel, Ivan Moysiyenko. Writing—original draft and Writing—review and editing: Nadiia Skobel, Ivan Moysiyenko. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. References • Barrett G, Barrett T (2001) Cemeteries as repositories of natural and cultural diversity. Conservation Biology 15 (6): 1820‑1824. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.2001.00410.x • Burkovskyi OP, Vasyliuk OV, Yena AV, Kuzemko AA, Movchan YI, Moysiyenko II, Sirenko IP (2013) The Last Steppes of Ukraine: to be or not to be? [Останні степи України: бути чи не бути?]. 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