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

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. 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.