ANTHROPOGENIC TRANSFORMATION OF THE FLORA AND VEGETATION IN RELICT HABITATS ON THE TISZA PLAIN (WITHIN UKRAINE) Vladimir V. Kricsfalusy Uzhgorod National University, Voloshyn St., 34, UA-88000, Uzhgorod, Transcarpathia, Ukraine, e-mail: vlad@eco.uzhgorod.ua Abstract. The multidisciplinary investigation in glacial refuges on the Tisza Plain in the Maramorosh Depression (Transcarpathia, Ukraine) was carried out. The patches of wood, marsh and meadow complexes are relict habitats for the flora and vegetation of the Middle-Late Holocene and specify possible ways of migration of mountain and boreal plant species from the Carpathian Mountains to the Middle Danube Lowland (Alfőld) are revealed. The characteristic of a geographical position, soils and mesoclimate of the study area are given. The vegetation cover was described based on the Braun-Blanquet approach. It include the plant communities subdivided into four classes (Querco-Fagetea, Alnetea glutinosae, Scheuchzerio-Caricetea, Molinio-Arrhenateretea), which belongs to 11 associations (of which 8 are described for the first time). 226 vascular plants of 35 families were noted in the flora composition. The most species-rich families are Poaceae (9.7% of the total flora), Cyperaceae (11.2%), Asteraceae (8.2%), Rosaceae (6.7%) and Ranunculaceae (6.7%). According to our investigation, at least 10 plant species disappeared here for the last 50 years. New localities were found for some species for the first time. Nature conservation categorization of threatened plant communities and plant species was carried out. The rare plants can be divided into the following sozological groups: the IUCN Red List (3 taxa), the Red Data Book of Ukraine (7), a regional Red List (16), and local protection (15). The rare plant communities were proposed for the following sozological groups: the national level of protection (3 syntaxa), regional level (3), and local level (2). For reliable biodiversity conservation, which includes the threatened plant species and plant communities, it is necessary to ensure urgent protection of habitats (biotopes). The management- plan which includes such activities as regulation of a hydrological regime, restoration of a native biotopes, periodic moving and clearing open land for prevention of process them silvatization, repatriation (reintroduction) of populations of the missed species of plants, and establishment of monitoring. The implementation of these measures during the last year has given encouraging results. Keywords: Flora, vegetation, threatened plant species and communities, conservation, management, Tisza Plain, Ukraine. INTRODUCTION The Tisza Plain in the historical period was completely covered with forest vegetation, mainly by floodplain oak-elm-ash woods. Today the natural vegetation occupies no more than 10 % of its territory. Preservation of natural biotopes remains very topical because many threatened communities, plants and animals are concentrated here. The Chere locality in the Maramorosh Depression is among the most interesting and unique from the nature conservation viewpoint. There are flooded forests, wooded wetlands and peat bogs connected by ecotone zones between wet meadows, acting as