Малі затоки Дніпра як осередки біорізноманіття (на прикладі Блакитної зони міста Києва)

Abstract

Individual components of river floodplains can notably differ in terms of their environmental significance. Very little is known about the environmental protection role of small inlets, unlike other components of river floodplains. In this aspect, 10 small inlets of the Azure Zone of Kyiv with an area of 200–260 000 m², a depth of 10–350 cm and a degree of overgrowth of 3–95% were investigated. The research was carried out during the summer–autumn period of 2021. The conservation value of individual bays was assessed both by the values of the total taxonomic richness and by the presence of vertebrate species that are subject to special protection in accordance with current legislation. To determine the total taxonomic richness, an express method previously developed by the author of the article was used. Its detailed description is given in the available publication. In almost half of the examined bays, the index of taxonomic richness of hydrobionts exceeded the probable average values. Vertebrate species subject to special protection according to official documents were found in all bays. Among them, the river otter is included in the Red Book of Ukraine, and the terrapin in the international Red Lists. Each of the studied bays is surrounded by dense aquatic and riparian vegetation, which could not vegetate in the absence of the bay. The presence of developed riparian vegetation not only contributes to the improvement of the ecological regime of water bodies, but also considerably increases their conservation value, because it is densely populated by various groups of animals. Usually, there are not only semi-aquatic and moisture-loving species, but also many other species, including ecologically valuable ones, as well as those subject to special protection. Thus, river bays create habitats not only for aquatic but also for riparian species. Thus, the small inlets of the Azure Zone of Kyiv, despite the significant recreational pressure, play a significant role in maintaining the local diversity of the inhabitants of the river floodplain. In general, the conservation of biodiversity associated with small inlets can be combined with the main forms of their recreational use. After all, the task of preserving natural complexes is fundamentally compatible with measures to improve the health of the population of large cities, since both directions require maintaining the proper state of the environment.