New locations of a Rare Species Ostrya carpinifolia Scop. in the Western caucasus

The research presents the results of a range study of the rare hop hornbeam species Ostrya carpinifolia Scop. In addition to clarifying data on the species’ growth in known habitats, two populations previously unreported were discovered on the Skalisty and Pastbishchny Ridges. One of these populations consists of isolated individuals on the rocky slopes of the Shakhan Ridge. The second population, the largest known in the Western Caucasus, was discovered on the Chernomorsky Ridge, at an altitude of over 800 m above sea level. A total of 107 specimen were recorded, with a trunk diameter of up to 46 cm at an altitude of 1.3 m. This area serves as a refugium for O. carpinifolia in the Western Caucasus. It is necessary to promptly introduce data on new locations of this rare species into scientific circulation to prepare the fourth edition of the Red Data Book of the Krasnodar region and to continue monitoring the populations to develop a conservation strategy for this rare species in the wild.