Emerald Network Research Articles

Ecological and coenotic features of the Syrovatka river basin in the Emerald network of the Sumy region, Ukraine

Abstract A number of studies were undertaken in the territory of the “Syrovatka river basin of the Emerald Network of Ukraine (UA0000428 Syrovatka river basin). Based on the data gathered from field work surveys of the area, the characteristics of the habitats (C1.222, C1.224, C1.32, C1.33, C2.33+, С2.34, C3.4, C3.51, D5.2, E1.2, E2.2, E3.4, E5.4, F3.247, F9.1+G1.11, G1.21+G1.41, G1.A1, G1.7, G1.8, G1.A4) are presented according to the area covered and their ecological features. Phytosociological characteristics of habitats were given. As a result of the analysis of the distribution of certain species of sozophytes, a brief description of the status of the identified populations was presented. Populations of vascular plant species protected in Europe (Ostericum palustre, Iris hungarica), Ukraine (Epipactis helleborine, Lilium martagon, Platanthera bifolia), and at the regional level (Carpinus betulus, Campanula persicifolia, Calla palustris, Dryopteris cristata, Inula helenium, Utricularia vulgaris) have been studied in detail. The main threats to the existence of the natural complex of this area, which may appear in the situation of increasing economic impact are drainage and ploughing of floodplains, terracing, and afforestation of meadow-steppe slopes of the ravine. The typological characteristics of artificial and natural forest plantations of the territory were described based on the generalization of details gathered from information on their local management.

An Extended dataset of occurrences of species listed in Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention from Ukraine.

The dataset includes georeferenced occurrences of species listed in Annex I of Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention and, partly, in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. The dataset was compiled within the work of NGO "Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group" aimed to prepare a Shadow list of Emerald Network (European network Areas of Special Conservation Interest) in Ukraine - newly proposed territories aimed at conservation of particular species and habitats mentioned in Resolution 4 and 6 of the Bern Convention. The list was prepared in 2017-2020 for expanding the already existing Emerald Network of Ukraine. Based on actual registrations of flora and fauna collected and gathered by scientists and naturalists in a form of dataset, which is described in the following paper. This dataset provides information about 29,938 occurrences of species from the territory of Ukraine listed in Annex I of Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention, as well as in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. This is the largest public dataset on occurrences of rare and endangered species from Ukraine till now. Data presented here laid the foundations for the proposal of 106 approved Emerald Network sites (2019), as well as for 148 Emerald Network sites that were nominated in 2020. New insights on the endemic species Centaureapseudoleucolepis Kleopow is provided, which was previously considered to be extinct, according to the IUCN Red List.

Urban landscape and technical systems in the river valleys of the Right Bank of Ukraine

Purpose. To improve the existing classification of residential landscapes and its basis for analyzing the structure of modern urban landscape and technical systems in the river valleys of the Right Bank of Ukraine. Methods. This study is based on the study of anthropogenic landscapes, concepts of geotechnical systems, as well as on the materials of their own field observations, which were carried out during 2008-2021 in the river valleys of the Right Bank of Ukraine. The main research methods used were: landscape photography, mapping, synthesis, comparison and generalization. Results. Based on previous experience and own field observations, the existing classification of residential landscapes has been improved. It is determined that urban landscape and technical systems, which are concentrated in valley-river landscapes, have a number of specific features: the size of urban landscape and technical systems is directly proportional to the parameters of the river valley within which they were formed; radical restructuring of all geocomponents and natural types of areas; formation of a recreational center in the bottom of the river valley after the formation of the city landscape and technical system; dominance of covered areas; constant introduction of new engineering and technical structures into the structure of the city landscape and technical system; vertical differentiation of the urban landscape and technical system and «suppression» of the manifestation of the zonal factor in the urban landscape and technical system. A number of engineering and technical supertypes of urban landscape and technical systems (low-rise, multi-storey, industrial and residential, garden and park, water management, recreational) have been identified. The main criteria for their selection were the degree of «closed» soils with man-made cover, projective vegetation (landscaping) and multi-storey buildings. The peculiarities of the structure of each engineering supertype of urban landscape technical systems are characterized. Conclusions. The formation of large-scale urban landscape and technical systems in the river valleys of the Right Bank of Ukraine hinders natural migration and distribution of biological species, which does not allow the ecological network to fully perform its functions. In further urban planning and urban planning, residential areas that are at the lowest hypsometric level in the river valley should be «unloaded» from redundant engineering structures. In particular, this applies to channel, floodplain, pond-floodplain and floodplain-reservoir types of areas. Increasing the area of restored valley and river landscapes will allow to implement the Emerald Network project faster and thus contribute to the protection of nature at European level.

Current cave monitoring practices, their variation and recommendations for future improvement in Europe: A synopsis from the 6th EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium

This manuscript summarizes the outcomes of the 6th EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium. Special emphasis was laid on presenting and discussing monitoring activities under the umbrella of the Habitats Directive (EU Council Directive 92/43/EEC) for habitat type 8310 "Caves not open to the public" and the Emerald Network. The discussions revealed a high level of variation in the currently conducted underground monitoring activities: there is no uniform definition of what kind of underground environments the "cave" habitat should cover, how often a specific cave has to be monitored, and what parameters should be measured to evaluate the conservation status. The variation in spatial dimensions in national definitions of caves further affects the number of catalogued caves in a country and the number of caves to be monitored. Not always participants are aware of the complete national monitoring process and that data sets should be freely available or easily accessible. The discussions further showed an inherent dilemma between an anticipated uniform monitoring approach with a coherent assessment methodology and, on the contrary, the uniqueness of caves and subterranean biota to be assessed – combined with profound knowledge gaps and a lack of resources. Nevertheless, some good practices for future cave monitoring activities have been identified by the participants: (1) Cave monitoring should focus on bio- and geodiversity elements alike; (2) Local communities should be involved, and formal agreements envisaged; (3) Caves must be understood as windows into the subterranean realm; (4) Touristic caves should not be excluded ad-hoc from regular monitoring; (5) New digital tools and open FAIR data infrastructures should be implemented; (6) Cave biomonitoring should focus on a large(r) biological diversity; and (7) DNA-based tools should be integrated. Finally, the importance of the 'forgotten' Recommendation No. 36 from the Bern Convention as a guiding legal European document was highlighted.

Estimation of coarse woody debris stocks in forest ecosystems of «Tsyrkunivskyi forest» and «Dergachivskyi forest» Emerald network objects (Kharkiv region)

The estimation of coarse woody debris stocks in forest ecosystems of «Tsyrkunivskyi forest» and «Dergachivskyi forest» Emerald network objects was performed. Estimation was conducted based on State Forest Inventory data of State enterprise «Kharkiv Forest Research Station» forest fund. Data of dead wood in forest stands of eighteen tree species were analyzed. The stock of the following components of coarse woody debris was studied: standing dead wood, fallen dead wood. Data analysis was performed using MS Excel 2016 software. It was found that the total area of forest stands in which standing dead wood was found during forest inventory was 9984.6 ha, or 49.6%, of the total forest area; for fallen dead wood corresponding indicators were 2662.5 ha (13.2%). The total stock of coarse woody debris was 20761 m3, which is concentrated in the stands of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) (75.6%) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) (11.1%). Standing dead wood prevailed (80.1%) fallen dead wood (19.9%) in the structure of dead wood volume. Mean volume of standing dead wood by forest type was from 1.3 m3 ·ha–1 (dry maplelinden dibrova) to 33.3 m3 ·ha–1 (wet maple-linden sudibrova), fallen dead wood — from 1.0 m3 ·ha–1 (dry maple-linden dibrova) to 11.5 m3 ·ha–1 (wet maple-linden dibrova). In oak stands mean volume of standing dead wood was 1.4 m3 ·ha–1, fallen dead wood — 1.3 m3 ·ha–1. Obtained results indicate that in general, the dead wood volumes in forest ecosystems in studied Emerald network objects estimated based on State Forest Inventory data, are quite low compared to the forest ecosystems of other protected areas, where one of the priorities are the natural complexes protection and biodiversity conservation. It may be associated with the influence of forestry activities in studied protected areas.

THE WAR CONSEQUENCES ON NATURAL RESOURCES OF UKRAINE: ANALYSES AND METHODOLOGIES

THE WAR CONSEQUENCES ON NATURAL RESOURCES OF UKRAINE: ANALYSES AND METHODOLOGIES

Ecological and typological features of forest vegetation of the emerald network object “Tsirkunivskyi forest” in the North-Eastern Forest Steppe of Ukraine

Forest typological and ecological properties of natural complexes of the Emerald Network object of Ukraine “Tsyrkunivskyi forest” (UA0000290 Tsyrkunivskyi forest) in the Kharkiv region, with a total area of 9948.6 hectares are presented. This object is located in Lipetsk and Southern forest division of the State Forest Enterprise “Kharkiv Forest Research Station” in the north-western part of the Kharkiv region. The territory of the studied object is an undulating plain with a wellrepresented valley-beam relief and a fairly branched ravine-beam network. Forest areas are represented by stands of 35 tree species. The main forest-forming tree species is Quercus robur (8830.3 ha, 88.75 %), a much smaller area is Pinus sylvestris (392.1 ha, 3.94 %). Other tree species occupy small areas: Betula pendula (119.9 ha, 1.21 %), Robinia pseudoacacia (88.5 ha, 0.89 %), Acer platanoides (80.7 ha, 0.81 %), Acer campestre (80.3 ha, 0.81 %), Tilia cordata (75.4 ha, 0.76 %), Populus tremula (66.4 ha, 0.67 %), Fraxinus excelsior (52.4 ha, 0, 53 %) and others. The studied forest areas are represented by 13 edatopes, covering all trophic groups and moisture levels. The most common types of forest vegetation conditions are fresh (7040.2 ha; 70.77 %) and dry (2242.3 ha, 22.54 %) oak dibrova. 19 types of forests were identified in the study area, the most common of which are fresh maple-linden dibrova (7040.2 ha, 70.78 %), a slightly smaller area is dry maple-linden dibrova (2242.3 ha, 22.54 %); much smaller is fresh oak-pine subir (354.1 ha, 3.56 %). Quercus robur grows in 5 forest types, the most common of which are fresh (6552.8 ha, 74.21 %) and dry (2102.0 ha, 23.80 %) maple-linden dibrova.

Historical and geospatial aspects of formation of the eco-network of the Transcarpathian region

Formulation of the problem. For the time being the formation of an ecological network in Ukraine is the most effective way to preserve biological and landscape diversity. This process is characterized by the use of two approaches. The first is based on national legislation, methods of spatial planning in accordance with the geobotanical and landscape features of the region. The second approach is based on the European legislation, in particular, the Bern Convention. Transcarpathian region is no exception. The project of the regional scheme of the ecological network was approved for the region and Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs – sites of the Emerald network), were determined and adopted by Standing Committee. Purpose and methods of research. Today there is a need for a comprehensive spatial analysis of the currently existing planning models of the regional ecological network of Transcarpathia and the establishment of the most important areas for biodiversity and landscape diversity protection. The purpose of our study was to characterize the main stages of formation of the ecological network of Transcarpathian region and to establish a list of structural elements of the ecological network, for which it is important to develop measures to protect biodiversity within them. We analyzed international and national legal documents, cartographic and planning documents to determine and characterize the main stages of development of the ecological network of the region. we compiled maps showing the spatial relationship of nature reserves, elements of the regional eco-network and areas of special conservation interest, using software QGIS 3.16.0, schemes: planning of the eco-network of the Ukrainian Carpathians, eco-network of Transcarpathian region, Transcarpathian territory planning areas; data on the Structural Elements of the Emerald Network, the network of objects of the nature reserve fund and their large-scale plans; detailed plans of forest plantations. Based on the obtained data, we conducted a spatial analysis of the elements in order to identify areas that require additional measures to preserve biotic and landscape diversity. Results of the research. Based on the obtained data, we have identified and characterized the main stages of formation of the ecological network of the Transcarpathian region. Based on a detailed cartographic analysis, we have identified areas that require natural research on the need for additional measures to preserve biotic and landscape diversity. Scientific novelty and practical significance. In our article for the first time a comprehensive and detailed spatial analysis of the currently existing planning models of the regional ecological network of Transcarpathia was conducted. For the first time, areas have been identified that do not currently belong to the nature reserve fund and areas of special conservation interest, but need to be studied in terms of their value to preserve biotic and landscape diversity.

Forest Typology and Settlement Characteristics of the Emerald Network “The Lower Part of the Uda River Valley” in the Kharkiv Region

The importance and significance of the conservation of the Emerald Object “The lower part of the Uda River Valley” (UA0000295) in botanical and general ecological aspects is discussed in detail. It is located on the outskirts of Kharkiv with an area of 13,381.0 ha. The studied area combines floodplains of regions occupied by meadows, shrub fragments and forest vegetation, and pine forests with artificial pine plantations. Areas of the loess plateau with arable land and deciduous forests, as well. List of the leading plant species, area's, main ecological and biotic features of identified habitats under Resolution 4 of the Berne Convention, in particular, C1.222, C1.32, C1.33, C3.34, D5.2, E1.2, E2.2, E3.4, F9.1, F3.247, G1.11, G1.21, G1.41, G1.8, G3.4232, G1.A4, G1.A1 for the Emerald Object are presented. The largest areas are occupied by biotops of lowland bogs with sedge and reed thickets without stagnant water (D5.2). There are plain hay fields (E2.2) and wet and moist meadows with a predominance of grasslands (E3.4) and deciduous forests in medium rich and rich soils (G1.A1), fresh and dry forests, and Sarmatian-type forests (G3.4232). The typological diversity of the forest of the territory, the area covered with forest vegetation is 11,585.0 ha, were outlined. Oak (Quercus robur L.) (8,091.5 ha, 69.83%) with a predominance in its plantations of fresh maple-linden oak and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) (2,529.8 ha, 21.84%) with a predominance of fresh oak-pine sedge are the main forest-forming species. Some species have appropriate conservation status in Ukraine (Botrychium lunaria (L.) SW., Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soo s.l., Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz, Anacamptis coriophora (L.) R.M. Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W. Chase (Orchis coriophora L.), A. palustris (Jacq.) R.M. Bateman, Pridgeon & M.W. Chase (Orchis palustris Jacq.), and several species are protected at the regional level (Centaurium erythraea Rafn., C. pulchellum (Sw.) Druce, Dianthus stenocalyx Juz., Inula helenium L., Iris pseudacorus L., Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim., Caltha palustris L., Geum rivale L., Parnassia palustris L., Sanguisorba officinalis L., Valeriana officinalis L.)

A new find of Carex bohemica (Cyperaceae) in Kyiv Region (Ukraine)

A new locality of Carex bohemica, a rare species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, is reported. The studied population is located in Kyiv Region within the Divychky site UA0000337 of the Emerald Network in Ukraine (Left-Bank Forest-Steppe). The territory housing the population forms a single contour covering two areas of different soil humidity values. On the area of 30 m2, 95 individuals of C. bohemica were discovered. At the time of observation, all individuals were of the generative age. The identified variants of plant communities with participation of C. bohemica belong to the class Phragmito-Magnocaricetea and are similar to the most communities with this species found in Ukraine. As a threat to existence of this population, increasing participation of alien invasive species-transformers and synanthropic species can be considered. Frequent fires occurring during drought periods also pose significant risks to the survival of this population. Further search for new localities of C. bohemica in the areas with suitable habitats is required.

Stages of research of ecological-coenotic vegetation groups of Podillya

In this proposed review article analyzes the literary and archive data that devoted to the study of floristic diversity within the territory of Podillya. Research in this region is historicall divided into four stages. From research directions of ecological and coenotic groups of different types of vegetation were allocated ecological, geobotanical, floristic, systematic, phytososological directions. It was determined, that the results of researches of such leading ecological and coenotic groups as forest, meadow, meadow-steppe, steppe, meadow-swamp and water-swamp vegetation were of great scientific importance and reflection of the specifics of species distribution within the region. We have determined, that descriptions of typical flora species appeared in the XIX century within the general characteristics of the region. It was established, that the first knowledge about the floristic diversity of the region was obtained with the activities of educational institutions, academies of sciences and the local lore scientific-research communities, one of their activities was thorough expeditionary research. During this period, were published the results of research of such authors as V. Besser, A. Andrzhievsky, V. Montresor, O. Rogovich, I. Schmalhausen. These works were of a general nature, but on the basis of the acquired knowledge and collected herbarium material, were formed consolidated lists of plant species, which gave a general idea of the specifics of the distribution of species in the region. Further research concerned the study of the genesis of flora, the definition of plant groups, species differentiation, habitats of individual and rare species, which became a prerequisite for floristic and geobotanical zoning. In this area, most famous studies were studies of J. Pachosky, M. Kotov, W. Szafer, Ye. Bradis, A. Barbarych, G. Kukovitsaetс. As a result of long-term expeditions and vegetation research, many well-known nature protection objects have been founded: Medobory Reserve, the national nature parks «Podilski Tovtry», «Karmeliukove Podillia», «Kremenets Mountains», «Dniester Canyon», «Lower Polissia», «Upper Pobuzhia», regional landscape parks «Maliovanka», «Zagrebellia», «Middle Pobuzhia», «Dniester», «Murafa», «Nemyrivske Po­buzhia» etc. At present, ansozological area of research is important and priority way in context of conservation and protection of phytodiversity, the creation of new and expansion of existing protected areas, the formation of the Emerald Network, the implementation of the regional ecological network of the Podillya region.

Ramy prawne ochrony przyrody na obszarze Natura 2000 (sieć Emerald) na terenie elektrowni wiatrowych na przykładzie Ukrainy

This article provides a comprehensive overview of European law and Ukrainian national law in the field of wildlife protection on special conservation areas on wind farm siting. In the first part, the EU law on renewable energy and some national regulations of the EU countries was examined. The focus was on legal regulation of impact of wind farms special on nature in Natura 2000 sites. In addition, attention was paid to procedural steps that must be applied to plans and projects that are likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site. The second part of the paper discusses legal issues of wildlife protection on the area of Emerald Network (Natura 2000) on wind energy sites according to the Ukrainian national law. The author argues that Ukraine has various laws which regulate wind farm siting with requiring the environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment as a legal instrument of wildlife protection. Further, specific environmental wildlife protection laws in Ukraine were indicated, which prohibit economic activities in special protected areas. Wildlife protection in wind farm sites in Polonyna Borzhava (Emerald Network) was also discussed in more detail.

Склад і розподіл макрофітобентосу біля берегів півострова Тарханкут (Чорне море, Крим)

The data on the composition and distribution of macrophytobenthos of marine and lagoon water areas of the Black Sea coastal zone in the west of the Tarkhankut Peninsula in the summer season are presented. It is shown that the occurrence and general characteristics of the vegetation cover are determined by the type of substrate. In the sea (where hydrological conditions are relatively homogeneous), the ratio of ecological-floristic groups and the species composition change with distance from the coast and along with it, depending on the depth and geomorphological features of coastal zone fragments. In the lagoon, the ratio of such groups changes along the complex gradient of environmental factors, formed by the groundwater runoff of fresh and marine waters. Within the surveyed area, 91 species of macrophytes were registered: Tracheophyta – 1 species (1.1%), Chlorophyta – 23 (25.3%), Ochrophyta (Phaeophyceae) – 21 (23.1%), and Rhodophyta – 46 (50.5%). Of these, 87 species were recorded in the sea (including 44 in the pseudolittoral zone and 81 – in the sublittoral zone). The macrophytobenthos has a pronounced marine oligosaprobic character. Short-vegetation Rhodophyta dominate by the number of species, and perennial Phaeophyceae dominate by biomass, reaching 1 kg∙m-2 in the pseudolittoral and almost 7 kg∙m-2 in the sublittoral. In the lagoon, 18 species of macrophytes were registered (4 exclusively in the lagoon). Mesosaprobic short-vegetation Rhodophyta dominate by the number of species; marine and brackish-water macrophytes are equally represented. Polysaprobic perennial Tracheophyta, which belong to the marine group, dominate by biomass, which is ranging from 0.04 to 1.2 kg∙m-2. It was found that at the time of the research, the macrophytobenthos of the surveyed area was characterized by high productivity, high species, and coenotic diversity. There were taxa and biotopes, which are subject to special protection under regional and international programs. In general, the nature of the vegetation, the composition of the flora and the ratio of the main ecological-floristic indicators corresponded to those indicated for the Tarkhankut-Sevastopol hydrobotanical region of the Black Sea. Considering the sozological value, the aquatic component of the territorial-aquatic complex was recommended for conservation and inclusion in the ecological networks (incl. the Emerald Network). The increased anthropogenic pressure and the threat of the coastal zone transformation actualize the problem of its conservation as one of the key reserves of the floristic and biotopic diversity of coastal-marine areas in the Northern Black Sea region.

Settlement characteristics of The Emerald Network "Khukhra" and "Riabyna" objects in Sumy region

The current state of biotope’s vegetation cover by natural and spontaneous origin of the Khukhra and Riabyna river valleys was researched, which are left-bank tributaries of the Vorskla river, as fragments of the preserved landscape within one of the western spurs of the Central Russian Upland. They are listed as perspective objects of the Emerald Network — Riabyna river valley in Sumy region (UA0000427) and Khukhra river valley in Sumy region (UA0000429). The obtained new data on environmental significance are data for the primary database formation in the monitoring organization of these territorial objects. The researched areas are mainly floodplains, small segments of pine terraces and slope’s fragments of these rivers native banks. The presence numbers of biotopes from Resolution 4 of the Berne Convention (C1.222; C1.223; C1.224, C1.32; C1.33; C1.4; C2.33; C2.34; C3.51; D5.2; E2.2; E5.4; F9.1; G1.11; G1.21; G1.22; G1.A4; G1.A1) are given for both explored objects, in addition, for the valley of the Riabyna river are indicated E1.3; E3.4, and for the Khukhra river — C3.4; E1.2. We have not confirmed the existence of such biotopes as C3.4, E1.3, C1.4 for these objects. Also, the presence of Sarmatian-type pine forests (G3.4232) was noted, which are timed to the elevations of pine terraces. Biotopes with constant excessive moisture are ubiquitous in the waters of low-flow artificial ponds. Eutrophic and mesotrophic vegetation of slow-flowing waters often occurs in shallow water along riverbeds. Biotopes groups of dwarf annual amphibious plants were observed only in fragments. Lowland swamps with sedge thickets without stagnant water are widespread in the floodplain, although they occupy small areas. Biotopes flooded pasture and hay meadows are a variety of options coenotic (herbaceous and cereal, wet and moist high-grass meadows). Biotopes of riparian shrubs, willow and willow-poplar floodplain forests are distributed in small fragments in the riverbed of floodplains. Mixed riparian floodplain and gallery forests occur in low-lying areas at the transition from the floodplain to the pine terrace. In general, shrub and forest vegetation on the terraces of these rivers are currently quite limited and fragmentary. Due to the reduction in the use of hayfields, in the floodplain the presence of indigenous forest remnants is quite relevant, which should be a source for their restoration in large areas. Important environmental object in these areas, as part of the Emerald Network is the local population of Ostericum palustre, and in the valley of the Khukhra river discovered a large population.

Ecological and typological features of forest vegetation of the object of the Emerald network «Dergachivskyi forest» of the north-eastern Forest Steppe

Forest typological and ecological properties are presented and the representation of natural complexes of the object of the Emerald Network of Ukraine «Dergachivskyi forest» (UA0000283 Dergachivskyi forest) in the territory of the Kharkiv region is covered, it has a total area of 8860.32 hectares. This object is located in the Dergachiv forestry of the State Enterprise «Kharkiv Forest Research Station» in the north-western part of the Kharkiv region. The studied area is a wavy plain with a well-defined valley-beam relief and a developed ravine-beam network. Forest areas covered with forest vegetation are represented by plantations of 24 tree species. The main forestforming tree species Quercus robur (8965.9 hectares, 87.94%); Pinus sylvestris occupies a much smaller area (671.1 hectares, 6.59%). Other tree species occupy minor areas: Betula pendula (128.8 hectares, 1.26%), Tiliacordata (98.8 hectares, 0.97%), Fraxinus excelsior (98.8 hectares, 0.97%), Robinia pseudoacacia (56.1 hectares, 0.55%), Acer platanoides (51.3 hectares, 0.50%) and others. Forest areas covered with forest vegetation are represented by 12 edatopes, covering all trophic groups and moisture levels from dry to moist. The most common types of forest vegetation conditions are fresh (7485.7 hectares, 73.43%) and dry (1922.3 hectares, 18.86%) oak woods. There are 18 forest types in the forest areas covered by forest vegetation, the most common of which are fresh maple-linden oak woods (7485.7 hectares, 73.42%), a slightly smaller area is occupied by dry maple-linden oak woods (1922.3 hectares, 18.86%); much smaller area is occupied by fresh oak-pine forest (496.6 hectares, 4.87%). Quercus robur grows in 6 forest types, the most common of which are fresh (7069.0 hectares, 78.84%) and dry (1882.7 hectares, 21.00%) maplelinden oak woods. Within this area, a number of Emerald forest habitats which are listed in Resolution 4 of the Berne Convention have been identified. So on the bases of the carried-out researches the following settlements of the Emerald network are revealed: E1.71, G1.11, G1.41, G1.A1, G3.4232.

Nature protection law of Ukraine in the context of globalization challenges

law of Ukraine in the context of globalization challenges. Attention is focused on both the opportunities and the constraints associatedwith globalization, in its impact on the development trends of nature protection law in Ukraine. This branch of Ukrainian law asa whole is formed, both in the general norms of ecological law, as well as in the land, water, subsoil, forest, floristic legislation, andalso in the territorial planning legislation. At the same time, new globalization challenges related to the need to address nature conservationand biodiversity protection are prompting an increasingly active shift in the legal regulation of relevant relations from the localand national to the international level. And nature protection legislation in its development must take into account appropriate approa -ches. The general structural and systemic factors of the Ukrainian national legislation cannot be neglected. The article analyzes Ukraine's participation in international cooperation in the field of nature protection and biodiversity conservation. Important factors that motivateUkraine’s environmental law to further development are related to Ukraine’s European integration. One of the main aspects ofUkraine's implementation of the Association Agreement is the approximation of Ukrainian legislation to EU law. Moreover, "natureprotection, in particular biological and landscape diversity (eco-networks) conservation and protection" stands out among the principalareas of environmental cooperation between Ukraine and the EU. International and European environmental requirements cannot beimplemented mechanically, but thoughtfully, comprehensively analyzing the possible consequences for the law-making and lawenforcementsphere of Ukraine. It is from such positions that the article critically evaluates the Draft Law of Ukraine "On the Territoriesof the Emerald Network" in order to fulfill the Ukrainian obligations under the Association Agreement.

Forest typological and botanical features of «Mozh river valley» as the object of Emerald Network

Ecological and coenotic properties are given and the environmental importance of natural complexes of the Emerald Network of Ukraine «Mozh river valley» (UA0000299 Mozh river valley) in Kharkiv region is highlighted. The object is located in the valley of the Mozh River — a right-bank tributary of the Siverskyi Donets River (Don River Basin) and covers 12658.48 hectares; moreover this area has hardly undergone changes due to land reclamation measures. In addition, the emerald object includes the reserves of local significance «Mirgorodsky» and «Merefyansky», as well as the wetland «Zaplava r. Mzha». The investigated object currently represents a complex of various identified settlements from Resolution 4 of the Berne Convention (C1.222, C1.224, C1.225, C1.32, C1.33, C2.33, C2.34, D5.2, D6.1, E2.2, E3.4, E5.4, F9.1, F3.247, F3.4, G1.11, G1.36, G1.414, G1.51, G3.4232, G1.A1), which have natural-historical and geomorphological dependance. The main ecological and biotic features, areas and list of main plant species are given for them. In the studied area there are populations of rare species of vascular plants that have different sozological status. Annex I to Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention includes Jurinea cyanoides and Pulsatilla patens, and a number of species have state preservation status in Ukraine (Salvinia natans, Dactylorhisa incarnatа, D. fuchsia, D. majalis, Orchis palustris, Gladiolus tenius, Fritillaria ruthenica, Tulipa quercetorum, Stipa borysthenica, Pulsatilla pratensis) and at the regional level (Polygonum bistorta, Valeriana officinalis, Parnassia palustris, Veratrum lobelianum, Thelypteris palustris, Dryopteris cristata, D. carthusiana, Athyrium filix-femina, Chrysosplenium alternifolium, Comarum palustre, Carex pseudocyperus, Lycopodium clavatum, Orthila secunda, Rubus saxatilis, Dianthus stenocalyx). In case of increasing economic impact, the main conditions for the existence of natural complexes in this area is the necessity to streamline forest use, reduce the impact of a number of invasive tree and shrub species, and minimize the impact of drainage and plowing of floodplains. It is also necessary to regulate the stream of vacationers and reduce the degree of anthropogenic pressure on natural complexes.

Аутфітосозологічна характеристика піщаних терас долинного комплексу Дніпро-Карань (Середнє Придніпров’я)

Виконано дослідження стану збереженості раритетної компоненти флори ділянки на лівому березі середньої течії Дніпра площею 19036,5 га, що є об’єктом Смарагдової мережі UA0000337 «Дівички» та пропонується до створення в цих межах національного природного парку. Рослинність представлена лучно-болотними, лісо-чагарниково-болотними та лісовими угрупованнями. У ландшафтно-генетичному відношенні панівними є чотири типи місцевостей: мілководні акваторії давньостаричних озерець та прибережні мілководдя із водною та прибережно-водною рослинністю; підтоплені сегменти притерасних та западинних знижень борової тераси із комплексом чагарниково-лісо-лучно-болотної рослинності; знижених рівнинних та слабопогорбованих сегментів борової тераси із середньобагатими свіжими дерново-підзолистими ґрунтами із суборами та дібровами; сегменти піднять еолового походження із сухими слабосформованими ґрунтами та пісками із сухими борами, сосновими рідколіссями та псамофільними пустошами. Станом на сьогодні, на даному етапі дослідження флори території долинного комплексу піщаних терас Дніпро-Карань можна стверджувати про зростання тут 6 видів-созофітів міжнародного, 13 загальнодержавного та 7 регіонального значення. Із числа охоронюваних видів загальноєвропейського значення виявлені популяції 6 видів: Iris hungarica, Jurinea cyanoides, Ostericum palustre, Salvinia natans, Liparis loeselii, Trapa natans (три останні занесені також до Червоної книги України). Окрім цього, на вказаній території зареєстровано популяції ще 10 видів судинних рослин із Червоної книги України, а саме: Dactylorhiza incarnata, Daphne cneorum, Epipactis helleborine, E. palustris, Lycopodiella inundata, Lilium martagon, Neottia nidus-avis, Platanthera bifolia, Pulsatilla pratensis та Stipa borysthenica. Популяції 14 видів-созофітів представлені багатьма локалітетами із високою чисельністю особин та хорошими показниками репродуктивного процесу; 6 видів мають слабку представленість через незначну кількість самих локалітетів та низьку чисельність особин в популяціях; для популяцій 3 созофітів (Liparis loeselii, Lycopodiella inundata, Dryopteris cristata) існує небезпека зникнення у зв’язку із тим, що виявлені лише поодинокі локалітети із незначною чисельністю особин. Зважаючи на сучасний стан та розташування ландшафтного комплексу даної території є досить ймовірним зростання тут ще цілої низки видів-созофітів, що робить актуальним подальше її дослідження.

Assessment of the conservation value of dry grassland habitats in the Inhulets River basin (Central Ukraine) based on vegetation and spider research

Abstract Dry grassland ecosystems are highly fragmented in Ukraine and increasingly threatened from intensification of farming practices. Evaluation of the habitat conservation importance based on multitaxon studies allows for optimizing selection of priority sites. Botanical research of xerothermic habitats in the Kryvorizkyi Iron Ore Basin has been conducted since 2012, while spiders were investigated for the first time in 2017. In the four study sites, we recorded 265 vascular plant species (23 under protection) and 95 spider species (19 are rare). Both vegetation and spider communities of the site Zelena Gully are well preserved and rich in rare and threatened species (18 plant and 11 spider species), which confirms its value as a priority site of the Emerald Network. Chervona Gully and the Slate Rocks should be included in the network. Frequent fires and intensive grazing in Khrystoforova Gully affect the spider diversity, decreasing the number of specialist and rare species, while early flowering plants benefit from this disturbance. Nevertheless, its vegetation is poorer than in Zelena and Chervona gullies. Inclusion in the Emerald Network is critically important to the investigated sites, since expansion of mining activities is constantly threatening natural habitats in industrial regions.

Ways of Recognizing the High Status of the Territory for the Biodiversity Conservation (on the Example of the Ichalkovsky Reserve in the Nizhny Novgorod Region)

The purpose of our study is to consider the possibilities of using different approaches to recognize the significance of the territory for the biodiversity conservation. The Ichalkovsky nature reserve (zakaznik) with an area of 1,442 hectares in the Nizhny Novgorod region was selected for analysis as a botanical and geological object unique for the Russian Plain. The criterion of various rare wildlife species records was used as a leading approach. Analysis of published materials and field research in 2020 allowed us to identify in the studied territory the habitat of 88 wildlife species listed in the Red Data Books of Russia and the Nizhny Novgorod Region. They are very different concerning their taxonomy and biology. This criterion use shows the extremely high conservation value of the Ichalkovsky reserve. The territory under consideration is characterized by high biological diversity and a high degree of biota remained, as well as its weak human disturbance. It is shown that, in accordance with the approaches of international nature conservation programs, the Ichalkovsky reserve has the status of a territory of special nature conservation significance within the Emerald Network of Russia, as well as an Important Bird Area. This territory is the core of the environmental framework of European Russia and meets the criteria for identifying several categories of high conservation value forests. The proposed ways have shown high efficiency. Ichalkovsky reserve is very important to conserve the biodiversity, including at the international level. This natural area should have legal protection adequate to its nature conservation value. Such protection can be provided by the status of a cluster of a national park.