Abstract
The "Kreidova Flora" (Cretaceous Flora) branch of Ukrainian Steppe Nature Reserve was created in 1988 to protect unique cretaceous vegetation, including pine forests on chalk. The Standing Committee of the Berne Convention in 2018 added these forests to the list of endangered habitats as “G3.4G Pinus sylvestris forest on chalk in the steppe zone“. For the last 40 years, the area covered with pine trees has doubled, but there are threats of invasive plants, periodical fires and other losses as a result of military actions since 2014. Satellite remote sensing data (Landsat archive) were used to analyze the distribution patterns and disturbances over 40-year period. The assessment of the stability and risks in this habitat shows its rareness, narrow prevalence, poor reproduction, very high (R> 83%) danger of destruction, and strong sensitivity to the environmental changes. Special set of monitoring and conservation measures are considered to provide successful protection of the habitat as a part of Emerald network.
Highlights
The studies of chalk outcrops in the floodplain of the Siversky Donets River within Donetsk region have been carried out by numerous researchers
Pine forests on chalk based on the justification of leading Ukrainian scientists (Kuzemko, 2017) were recognized by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention as being endangered and, of particular value for conservation as “G3.4G Pinus sylvestris forest on chalk in the steppe zone“ (Revised Annex I, 2018)
Retrospective analysis of the satellite images during the forty-year period (1977–2017) showed the significant changes in dynamics of area covered by pine forests on the territory of the “Kreidova Flora” reserve
Summary
The studies of chalk outcrops in the floodplain of the Siversky Donets River within Donetsk region have been carried out by numerous researchers. Cretacea Kalen., for the first time, this unique forest attracted the naturalists’ attention years ago (Güldenstädt, 1791). Such forests are very rare: in the entire Ukraine, they only occupy a small area within one administrative district of Donetsk region, and a few areas within Don River basin. Pine forests on chalk based on the justification of leading Ukrainian scientists (Kuzemko, 2017) were recognized by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention as being endangered and, of particular value for conservation as “G3.4G Pinus sylvestris forest on chalk in the steppe zone“ (Revised Annex I, 2018). An important task is to develop specific conservation measures for most endangered natural habitats and species
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