National Natural Park Research Articles

Current state of trees and shrubs vegetation conditional references linden-ash oakwoods flood places of Dniprovsk Prisamarya

Natural oakwoods are considered one of the main centers of biodiversity of flora and fauna in Europe and an important agent of providing a wide range of ecosystem, sociocultural and economic services. But in the modern period, there is a decrease in the share of common oak natural forests in the forest reserves of European countries and various manifestations of their degradation. Floodplain forests form a particular value among natural oakwoods. They’re not only play an important role in the formation of vegetation and biogeocenotic cover, but also have a significant positive environment-transforming effect on soil-hydrological and mesoclimatic conditions. That helps to regulate the hydrological regime of river floods. An analysis of the current state of the tree-shrub vegetation of conditional reference linden-ash oakwoods of the central floodplain of the Samara River was conducted. They are a complex of forest vegetation component of Prysamary Dniprovskyi, the territory of which is reserved for the creation of a national nature park. The forest valuation indicators of stands of the main forest-forming tree species have been determined. According to the obtained data, the species composition of tree-shrub vegetation and the type of stand correspond to typical fresh central floodplain linden-ash forests. An increase in the share of participation in the tree stand of Acer campestre and a decrease of Tilia cordata are characteristic. Quercus robur and Fraxinus excelsior take a leading part in the formation of stocks of stem wood. It is determined that in the natural linden-ash oak centropopulation Fraxinus excelsior, Acer platanoides, Acer campestre, Ulmus laevis, Tilia cordata, Ulmus glabra, Pyrus communis, Ulmus minor belong to the normal type and are stable and capable of self-maintenance. The most active self-regeneration is recorded in Acer campestre. The population of Quercus robur is characterized as regressive with signs of disruption of natural regeneration processes and the absence of healthy undergrowth. Fraxinus excelsior, Acer platanoides, Ulmus laevis, Pyrus communis are distinguished by the highest indicators of vitality ((Ln) and according to the index of relative vitality their tree stands belong to the “healthy” categoty. The tree stand of Quercus robur belongs to the “weakend” category. Deterioration of the vitality of Quercus robur tree stands and disruption of its self-regeneration processes can potentially lead to a decrease in the edifying role of oak in fresh linden-ash forets of the valley complex of the Samara River. Also, it can lead to a transformation of their type of wood composition and a decrease in productivity. Major of environmental significance of the forest vegetation of this area requires systematic comprehensive monitoring studies to update current data on the state of unique natural oakwoods. The presented results are a continuation of the monitoring studies of natural reference central floodplain linden-ash forests and can become the basis for the development of differentiated methods of their preservation and restoration.

Fauna diversity in Madracis spp. coral patches in the Colombian Caribbean

Madracis spp. coral patches are the main deep–sea framework builder observed on the shelf–break scarp of the Colombian Caribbean, between 107 and 230 m depth. The Marine Protected Area, Corales de Profundidad National Natural Park, was established in 2013 to protect a site of high biodiversity associated with Madracis communities. Our research summarizes the advances in knowledge of its biodiversity as the result of four expeditions and offers insights into the state of its associated fauna. Madracis colonies occur in five areas of the park but corals thrive and build coral patches in only two of the five, both in the southwest area. Our surveys have resulted in the inventory of 337 species. Mollusca (116) dominated the fauna, followed by Bryozoa (70), Cnidaria (50), Echinodermata (39), Arthropoda (14), Annelida (13), Brachiopoda (3), and Chordata (32 fishes). Store voucher specimens at the Museo de Historia Natural Marina de Colombia–Makuriwa and metadata are available online in the SiBM database. Checklist published through GBIF (DOI: 10.15470/vqshir)

РАРИТЕТНА СКЛАДОВА ФАУНИ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОГО ПРИРОДНОГО ПАРКУ «КРЕМЕНЕЦЬКІ ГОРИ»

The National Nature Park “Kremenetski Hory” is situated in the northern part of the Ternopil region, covering an area of 6,951.2 hectares. The park features a hilly terrain.
 The primary objective of the park is the protection and preservation of rare species. As of the beginning of 2023, there is a need for further research, particularly in the field of invertebrates, to better understand the fauna within the park.
 A total of 796 animal species have been documented in the National Nature Park “Kremenetski Hory” and its surrounding areas. This includes 12 amphibian species, 7 reptiles, 155 bird species, 48 mammals, 1 roundmouth, 484 insect species, and 60 mollusks. Notably, 217 of these species are afforded protection under Ukrainian and international environmental conservation agreements.
 This article presents data on animal species with nature protection status recorded within the park from 2012 to the first half of 2023. According to both literary sources and modern research, 55 species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine are documented in the park’s records, with 42 being reliably confirmed, 12 known only from literary sources, and one species considered to be erroneous.
 Further exploration of the park’s fauna is essential, and this can be achieved by involving specialists and utilizing modern recording technologies.

NATURE PROTECTION FUND IN THE STRUCTURE OF RECREATION AND TOURIST NATURE USE OF CHERNIGOV REGION

The article analyzes the territories and objects of the nature reserve fund (NRF) of the Chernihiv region as objects of recreational and touristic nature use. The NRF of the Chernihiv region includes 678 objects with a total area of 263.1 thousand hectares (7.89% of the territory of the region). The NRF of the region consists of eight categories, there are no such categories as biosphere reserve, nature reserve and botanical garden. The study of the dynamics of the number of objects and areas of the NRF of the region for the period from 1990 to 2023 revealed a tendency to increase multifunctional protected areas (national natural parks (NNP) and regional landscape parks (RLP)). Reserves and natural monuments predominate in the structure of NRF of Chernihiv region in terms of number, and in terms of area - reserves and regional landscape parks.
 It was established that the most important for the recreation and tourism sphere are the multifunctional categories of NRF - NNP and RLP, in which tourism is actively developing. The main directions of tourism development in the Mezyn and Ichnya National Parks were analyzed - ecological trails, routes (car, bicycle, pedestrian) that provide an opportunity to get to know the nature of Polissia (Mezyn National Park) and the Forest Steppe (Ichnya National Park), and tourist infrastructure are indicated. It was determined that the most common type of tourism within the NNP is walking along ecological trails.
 A special issue is the use of the recreational potential of nature reserves, which are the most widespread in the structure of the NRF of the region. It has been established that the predominant type of recreational and tourist activity within their borders is educational excursions along marked trails. Other categories of NRF of the Chernihiv region (natural monuments, arboretum, zoo, parks-monuments of horticultural art) have less recreational potential, but have educational value and can act as objects of recreational and touristic nature use. In order to increase the role and significance of the NRF of Chernihiv region in the structure of recreational and touristic nature use, it is advisable to create such categories of NRF as NNP and RLP.

Cadastral and landscape modeling of lakes as a prerequisite for protected and recreational nature resource management

The cadastral information about the lakes of the nature reserve fund (NRF) should be based on landscape-geographic principles using modern geo-information systems.Within the research, based on the instrumental field research and the use of software packages ArcGIS Desktop and ReefMaster Software, a bathymetric map of Lake Serednie (Nobel National Natural Park, Ukraine) and other spatial models were developed. The main hydrological and morphometric parameters of the lake basin were calculated, a landscape map of the natural aquatic complex was created and its landscape metric analysis was carried out at the level of aquatic tracts and facies. The research revealed changes in the level regime and shoreline of the lake caused by the long dry periods of 2016-2021 and life activity of beavers. The created integrated cadastral landscape model of the lake with limnology parameters should serve as a basis for the recreational nature use, monitoring and geo-ecological certification of the reservoirs of the NRF.

Новый подвид Eumerus aristatus Peck, 1969 (Diptera, Syrphidae) из гор Карабас (Восточный Казахстан)

В 2022 г. в ходе работы по изучению энтомофауны Государственного национального природного парка «Тарбагатай» в южном отроге хребта Тарбагатай горах Карабас было отловлено несколько мух-журчалок (Syrphidae) рода Eumerus с апикально ланцетовидно расширенной аристой, которые в настоящей работе описаны как новый подвид Eumerus aristatus Peck, 1969. Самец описываемого подвида отличается от E. aristatus наличием налета и цветом волосков на голове, расположением глазкового треугольника, формой и цветом усиков, цветом отлива окраски тела.

Dynamics of forest stands changes on the territory of Skole Beskydy National Nature Park

The relevance of the study is determined by the issue of assessing the condition and utilization of forest cover within the territory of the Skole Beskydy National Nature Park, as well as the necessity to develop effective methods for monitoring and conserving forest ecosystems. The purpose of the study was to investigate the dynamics of forest cover changes within the Skole Beskydy National Nature Park, as well as to assess the losses of forest resources in this area and recommend the obtained series of images to enhance the forest management system. The research was conducted using a comprehensive approach combining various methods of studying forest cover changes and their comparison. The basis for applying remote sensing technologies was the use of specific multispectral satellite images combined with attribute information on forest land geospatial data. The most progressive methods of studying changes in forest plantations based on remote sensing data using geographic information systems have been demonstrated. Satellite images were obtained from the Landsat 8 satellite data set through the United States Geological Survey data portal. The normalized burn ratio and normalized difference vegetation index are calculated and compared. An analysis was also carried out using the Global Forest Watch online resource. As a result of the study, changes in forest cover were identified, an assessment of the changes was provided, and a map reflecting forest changes that occurred in the Skole Beskydy National Nature Park from 2000 to 2020 was developed. According to the results of the analysis, a low level of losses of forest plantations due to natural factors, including losses from fires, was established. The main part of forest losses is caused by anthropogenic factors. The practical significance of the results lies in the possibility of using the obtained series of images within public control and improving the forest management system

Diversity of powdery mildew fungi from protected areas of Jizzak region, Uzbekistan - a checklist

The first-ever compilation of a checklist for powdery mildew fungi within the protected areas of Uzbekistan’s Jizzakh region, specifically Nuratau Nature Reserve, Zaamin National Nature Park, and Zaamin Nature Reserve is presented through this study. Field research spanning from 2009 to 2022 facilitated this comprehensive endeavor. A comprehensive identification process revealed a total of nine groups, consisting of 57 distinct types, 69 variations, and four different strains of powdery mildew. Two species, namely Erysiphe platani and E. syringae, were newly identified within the mycobiota of the country. Additionally, the plant index of Uzbekistan documented 11 powdery mildew species and ten variations on 18 previously unrecorded host plant species. Most species of powdery mildew fungi belong to the genera Erysiphe and Leveillula. The annotated checklist includes data on the host plant, location, date and collection number of every species.

Algae distribution according to locality in saline coastal water bodies of the Pryazov National Nature Park (Ukraine)

The study focuses on the distribution of algae in the saline coastal water bodies of the Pryazov National Nature Park according to their habitat preferences. The research revealed that aquatic species form the basis of algal flora. Among them, diatoms are predominant in terms of species richness and frequency of occurrence. In the lake type estuaries and ephemeral water bodies, an increased number of amphibious species was found, which can be attributed to the varying inundation conditions of these water bodies. Among the amphibious species Cyanoprokaryota representatives dominate. Hierarchical clustering of the water bodies demonstrated a connection between the species composition of algae and the type of water bodies, which is consistent with their genesis and transformation.

Viscum album subsp. austriacum (Santalaceae R. Br.) in Volyn Polissia and Zhytomyr Polissia (Ukraine): current distribution, ecology and prediction of future spread

Background. One of the subspecies of the European mistletoe, the so called pine mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. austriacum (Wiesb.) Vollm.) is a hemiparasitic, evergreen, epiphytic phanerophyte that parazitizes predominantely on the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) in Ukraine. The pine trees infested with V. album subsp. austriacum lack moisture for transpiration and photosynthesis, which reduces their primary productivity, viability and health. The purpose of this study was: 1) to determine the current distribution of V. album subsp. austriacum in Volyn and Zhytomyr Polissia regions using GIS-technology; 2) study the main taxation parameters of pine stands infested with V. album subsp. austriacum; 3) predict the possible further spread of V. album subsp. austriacum in the studied Region. Materials and Methods. The grid mapping method based on GIS technology, with a grid size of 10×10 km and 20×20 km, was used to create the map of the species distribution. The spatial distribution of soil moisture in the forest soils of Drevlyanskyi Nature Reserve was determined using satellite images and data on soil moisture from the Earth Engine Data Catalog. The taxation parameters of the mistletoe-infested pine stand (i.e., participation of the Scots pine in the stand composition, area distribution of pine stands by age, relative completeness, stand quality class, trophotope, and hygrotope) were obtained from standard taxation descriptions. Results and Discussion. The study found that V. album subsp. austriacum is more widespread in Volyn Polissia than in Zhytomyr Polissya – 87 and 20 localities respectively. It was shown that the forest plantations colonized by V. album subsp. austriacum in Drevlyansky Nature Reserve are located in areas with the lowest moisture content, with a moisture reserve of 16–70 mm in the 0–100 cm soil layer, which corresponds to dry and fresh hygrotopes. Conclusions. V. album subsp. austriacum is more widely distributed in such nature reserves of the region as Shatskyi National Nature Park and Drevlianskyi Nature Reserve, and less so in Rivne, Cheremskyi, Polissia Nature Reserves and Pripyat-Stokhid National Nature Park. In the region under study, V. album subsp. austriacum mostly affects pure pine forests aged 80‒140 years, of medium completeness (0.5‒0.7), and relatively high and high stand quality classes – Ic–II, in fresh hygrotopes – 67.3 % of the area and in fairly infertile pine site type (trophotope B) – 51.5 %. Based on the distribution of forest site types in the region and their susceptibility to V. album subsp. austriacum, the possibility of its further intensive spread in the study region can be predicted.

Ecological assessment of eutrofication of lakes in «Shatskyі» biosphere reserve

The natural process of eutrophication of hydroecosystems is determined by many factors and is mostly long-term, almost irreversible. In the 20th and 21st centuries. Accelerated anthropogenic eutrophication of many waters took place, in particular the lakes of Shatsky group (Shatskyi National Natural Park, Volyn Region, Ukraine). Changes in water due to their enrichment with biogenic substances and chemical compounds accompany the increase in plant productivity and may be the result of «natural aging», anthropogenic influence, organic pollution. One of the concepts of the succession of lake ecosystems assumes that lakes go through different stages of trophicity (nutrition), starting with oligotrophy or dystrophy. The last stage (climax) of the successional series is intensive eutrophication, during which the lake is partially replaced by a swamp and, in the end, can become a dry land, meadow, shrub or forest vegetation. Eutrophication of lake ecosystems is accompanied by a change in transparency, chlorophyll a concentration, and oxygen concentration. An active phase of eutrophication of the limnoecosystems of Shatskyi biosphere reserve has been established. On the territory of the latter there are rivers and streams with a constant water flow, more than 114 km long, and also includes 31 lakes. The results of ecological studies of various types of water bodies of Shatsky Lakes, which were carried out in 2016–2020, are presented. The performed typification of Shatsky Lakes by the area of the water mirror proved that there are no very large lakes here, there are three large lakes (Svityaz, Pulemetske, Luky-Peremut). The analysis of the nature-reserved territory of Western Polissia proved that special attention should be paid to lakes of small and small sizes, as well as medium and shallow lakes (Lynovets, Somynets, Buzhnya Bay, etc.), which are not capable of active self-regulation. The optimal mechanism for monitoring the ecological state of water bodies (lakes) using the remote sensing method is proposed.

Monitoring of the floristic diversity of the Teremky Tract of the “Holosiivskyi” National Nature Park in the conditions of anthropogenic load

The article presents the results of monitoring the floristic diversity of the Teremky Tract, which is part of the “Holosiivskyi” National Nature Park as a separate territory. The tract is located in the city of Kyiv, directly adjacent to a large residential area and two highways. An analysis of the main factors affecting the ecological state of the territory was conducted. Among the main factors negatively impacting the state of the ecosystem of the Teremky Tract, the following can be distinguished: vandalism, which includes setting fire to old trees and causing various types of damage to them; plucking of flowering plants; environmental pollution with solid household waste; direct and indirect influence of hazardous objects such as boiler plants and gas stations; and the influence of transport infrastructure. The article demonstrates the need for constant monitoring of the ecological state of natural biotopes located within modern megacities. It is shown that the monitoring of floristic diversity, controlling the preservation of valuable and rare plant species, and tracking the appearance and spread of invasive alien species can be effective indicators of the ecological state of the natural biotope. Thus, populations of forest lily (Lilium martagon L.) and cuckoo’s tears (Listera ovata L.) were found on the territory of the Teremky Tract, which are included in the Red Book of Ukraine. Additionally, a group of 400-year-old oak trees grows in this area. However, the presence of invasive alien species such as red oak (Quercus rubra L.), the ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo L.), black cherry (Prunus serotina L.) and Robinia pseudoacacia L. was also observed. Monitoring of floristic diversity in natural biotope areas within megacities plays an important role in timely response to the effects of negative natural and anthropogenic factors for the preservation of the environment of these urban ecosystems. Such monitoring can be conducted both through field observations and using remote methods and analysis of global biodiversity databases such as iNaturalist and GBIF.

Growth and morphological characteristics of some pyrophilous discomycetes in culture

Three pyrophilous discomycetes species (Anthracobia maurilabra (Cooke) Boud., Pyronema domesticum (Sowerby) Sacc. and Tricharina praecox (P. Karst.) Dennis) have been cultivated and studied in vitro. Cultures were obtained from fresh apothecia сollected in the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park (Kyiv, Ukraine). The culture growth and morphological characteristics of the studied fungi on different media (beer wort agar, Czapek Dox agar, potato-dextrose agar) were analyzed. All investigated species can quite easily grow under laboratory conditions on different tested nutrient media. Potato-dextrose agar was the most suitable medium for the enhancement of radial growth and the best expresses all the phenotypes of the colony of studied fungi. Macro- and micromorphological descriptions of all fungal colonies and illustrations are provided. The micromorphological analysis showed that common to the mycelium of all studied species of fungi was the presence of numerous drops of oil in the hyphae, anastomoses like T. praecox, а net- like structure of A. maurilabra similar to nematode capture hook. Beside this, A. maurilabra and P. domesticum formed the sexual stage under experimental conditions. Forming fruiting bodies of A. maurilabra in culture has not been reported before. Moreover, P. domesticum was found to form abundant dark brown sclerotia on potato-dextrose agar and Czapek Dox agar. Possible pigment composition in the P. domesticum sclerotia is discussed based on the Raman spectroscopy study, performed on this genus for the first time. The established cultural characteristics can be useful for taxonomic identification of fungal species and for pure quality control of mycelial cultures during their introduction, preservation and future potential applications in biotechnological areas.

Сайрам-Өгем Мемлекеттік ұлттық табиғи парк Жартылай қаттықанаттылары (Hemiptera, Heteroptera)

The article presents the results of the authors' research conducted in May 2023 in the Sairam-Ugam State National Natural Park, Kokbulak Gorge. They live in various biotopes and play an important role in biological processes in the biogeocenosis. As a result of the study, 33 species belonging to 9 families from the suborder of hemiptera were identified. According to their proximity to habitats, the hemiptera of the studied zone are divided into hortobionts (27 species), hortobionts (1 species), herpetobionts (3 species), herpetobionts (1 species), tamno-dendrobionts (1 species). Hemiptera in the study area are divided into the following ecological groups of species according to ecological features: mesophiles (29 species) and mesoxerophiles (4 species). According to trophic connections, these species are phytophages (30 species), zoophytophages (1 species) and zoophages (2 species). Phytophages are divided into polyphytophages (16 species), wide oligophytophages (12 species), narrow oligophytophages (1 species), monophytophages (1 species). According to the number of generations per year, the species of hemiptera Sairam of the Ugamsky GNPP, Kokbulak Gorge can be divided into several groups: monovoltine (19 species), bivoltine (12 species), polyvoltine (2 species). They are characterized by wintering at different stages of development: 28 species overwinter in the imago stage, 4 species overwinter in the egg stage, 1 species overwinters in the imago and larval stages.

Development of a Google Earth Engine-Based Application for the Management of Shallow Coral Reefs Using Drone Imagery

The Caribbean is one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to the projected impacts of climate change, and changes in coral reef ecosystems have been studied over the last two decades. Lately, new technology-based methods using satellites and unmanned vehicles, among others have emerged as tools to aid the governance of these ecosystems by providing managers with high-quality data for decision-making processes. This paper addresses the development of a Google Earth Engine (GEE)-based application for use in the management processes of shallow coral reef ecosystems, using images acquired with Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) known as drones, at the Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park; a Marine Protected Area (MPA) located northwest of Old Providence Island, Colombia. Image acquisition and processing, known as drone imagery, is first described for flights performed using an RTK multispectral drone at five different monitoring stations within the MPA. Then, the use of the GEE app is described and illustrated. The user executes four simple steps starting with the selection of the orthomosaics uploaded to GEE and obtaining the reef habitat classification for four categories: coral, macroalgae, sand, and rubble, at any of the five monitoring stations. Results show that these classes can be effectively mapped using different machine-learning (ML) algorithms available inside GEE, helping the manager obtain high-quality information about the reef. This remote-sensing application represents an easy-to-use tool for managers that can be integrated into modern ecosystem monitoring protocols, supporting effective reef governance within a digitized society with more demanding stakeholders.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LOCAL STUDIES PRINCIPLE OF STUDYING GEOGRAPHY BY MEANS OF EDUCATIONAL EXCURSIONS

The purpose of the article is to reveal the importance of the local studies principle of learning as a local one in students' assimilation of the content of geographical education and to show the possibilities of educational excursions in the formation of their geographical competences.
 The article analyzes the process of the formation of the local lore principle in the study of geography in publications of scientific-geographical and didactic content. The contribution of a number of scientists to the development of modern geographic local history is outlined. The role of Ya. Zhupanskyi and V. Krul in the formation of national local history in Ukraine is highlighted. The position of S. Rusova regarding the important role of the regional studies principle in the educational process is indicated. After L. Chubrei with the co-authors, we state that "The principle of regional studies involves the systematic establishment of connections between the study of geography and the knowledge that students acquire as a result of direct study of the region. Mandatory use of acquired regional knowledge in education is the main purpose of educational regional studies."
 The model programs for the study of geography were analyzed. They show the importance of educational excursions. It was established that in the program of S. P. Zapotocki, educational excursions occupy a higher priority position, especially in the 8th - 9th grades, which makes it possible to implement the principle of regional studies in education and instill in children love for their region, and then for the Motherland. The list of excursion topics in the school geography course program (S.P. Zapotocki, etc.) is highlighted. Examples of locations for excursions are offered on the following topics: "School excursion to a geological monument of one's region", "Excursion to a region with a natural landscape. Acquaintance with nearby forest/steppe landscapes, description of their condition", "Excursion to the national (local) natural park".
 It is substantiated that excursions into nature involve not only familiarization with objects or phenomena and processes occurring in it, but also the identification of relationships between individual components of nature on the one hand, and between nature and the economic and cultural activities of the population on the other. They contribute to the development of schoolchildren's observation, imagination, visual thinking, purposeful perception, the formation of a caring attitude towards nature and are a form and means of environmental education. It was established that the educational excursion is complex in terms of methodology and organization. It requires thorough preparation of the teacher and students.
 Preparing a teacher to conduct an educational excursion into nature includes: 1) formulating the purpose and objectives of the excursion; 2) choosing a route, getting familiar with it in the area, studying the nature of the tour area and its attractions; 3) determination of objects of observation, number and placement of stops during the excursion, content and methods of working with students at each stop; 4) determination of the general task and individual and group tasks for students; 5) development of safety instructions, recommendations for equipment, group and individual equipment of tour participants.
 It was established that Ternopil region is rich in attractive tourist attractions in general and geological ones in particular. Thus, there are more than 90 geological monuments of nature in Ternopil region. The largest concentration of interesting geological objects is confined to Transnistria in the south and to the structural-denudation escarpment of Podillia in the north. Excursions to caves will obviously be the most interesting for students. Verteba near the village of Verteba is an excursion destination within Ternopil region. Bilche Zolote and Krystaleva (Krystalna) in the village Crooked Mlynky, Ugryn, and Optimistichna are also used for orienteering, but the expediency of involving the latter in educational excursions is highly questionable.
 A number of examples of single-theme and multi-theme educational excursions on the territory of Ternopil region have been developed. The main focus is on excursions to geological monuments. An excursion to the Kristalna and Verteba caves is offered, as well as to the exposure of Cretaceous rocks in the village of Monastery The possibilities of educational excursions to the national natural park "Kremenetsk Mountains" and to the Chervone tract have been revealed. The contents of a one-day hiking route in the territory of Podilskyi Tovtry are proposed, with an introduction to the geological structure of the outcrops and the floristic features of rock-steppe areas.
 The itineraries of educational excursions proposed by us can be used by geography teachers of Ternopil and neighboring regions.
 We consider the development of methodological recommendations and the selection of educational locations for conducting all educational excursions provided by model programs to be promising directions for further research.
 Keywords: geographic competence, local lore principle, educational excursion, tourist trip, geosite, exposure.

Identifying important plant areas for useful plant species in Colombia

While area-based approaches continue to dominate biodiversity conservation, there is growing recognition of the importance of the human dimensions of biodiversity. We applied the Important Plant Areas (IPA) approach in Colombia to identify key sites for the conservation of plant species with reported human uses. Drawing on the Checklist of Useful Plants of Colombia, we collated 1,045,889 clean occurrence records for 5400 native species from global data repositories and digitized herbaria. Through analysis based on regionalized grid cells, we identified 980 sites meeting IPA thresholds. These are primarily located in forest habitats, with only 19.8 % within existing national natural parks or internationally designated conservation areas. Grid cells were transformed to polygons based on overlapping ecosystems and administrative boundaries to form more meaningful site boundaries. A subsequent two-stage ranking procedure based on conservation value and richness found 46 sites to be of high priority, with 10 selected as top priorities for further investigation and conservation action. These 10 sites support significant populations of 33 threatened useful plant species and represent six of the 13 bioregions of Colombia in just 0.27 % of its land area. To progress from potential to confirmed IPAs, targeted fieldwork is required alongside stakeholder engagement and consultation, crucially involving local resource users. As a megadiverse country ranked second in the world for its botanical richness, effective IPA management would not only contribute to Colombian targets for sustainable development and conservation but would also support global targets to recover biodiversity for both planet and people.

Transition process from fossil energy to photovoltaic energy power of ethnic communities belonging to the natural parks in the Colombian Pacific: A diagnostic study

AbstractFor an energy transformation project with emerging technologies to be viable and sustainable, it requires community participation, the social appropriation of the knowledge of the technology to be implemented, and the assessment of its social and environmental impact. In this context, this research carried out a diagnostic study on the energy consumption of ethnic communities belonging to National Natural Parks in the Colombian Pacific in order to provide indicators of the potential and relevance of portable photovoltaic solar energy for small-scale energy supply in these communities. For this purpose, four strategic sites in the district of Buenaventura were selected to implement questionnaires to collect technical data on demographic characterization (age, occupation, ethnicity, educational level, residence time), solar exposure, architectural infrastructure, energy sources, use of electrical elements, and energy consumption. The study focused on five sectors of interest: (i) housing, (ii) microenterprises, (iii) schools, (iv) health centers, and (v) boats. Fuelwood and diesel were found to be the main sources of energy in the region; this represents continuous pollution of gases and noise. Electricity is supplied mainly through diesel power generators with a cost per kWh higher by 86% than the average value in the interconnected area. It was identified that the most representative economic activities of these communities are fishing, and other activities associated with tourism; therefore, after diagnosing the use of low-power electrical elements in different types of boats, we propose a portable photovoltaic solar system adjusted to local environmental conditions and the needs of artisanal fishing.

CYTOGENETIC VARIABILITY OF THE HUTSUL BREED OF HORSES

Goal. Study of features of karyotypic variability of Hutsul horses. Methods. Cytogenetic analysis, micronucleus test. Results. The average rate of genomic disorders (aneuploidy) was 10.8%, with a range of values of this variability of 8.8%–11.1% in animals of the LLC "Krai Neba" and the National Nature Park "Hutsulshchyna" with a statistically insignificant difference between the mean values. The multiple increase in the number of chromosomes, polyploidy, was in the range of 1.1%–2.0%, which does not exceed the species of this variability. The magnitude of the asynchronous divergence of the centromeric regions of the chromosomes was 2.0%–6.0%, which corresponds to the spontaneous level for horses as a whole (2.2%–9.1%). Structural chromosome abnormalities (chromosomal breaks) in the horses of the Krai Neba LLC farm were not detected, and in the animals of the Hutsulshchyna National Nature Park they were 1.1%. The range of variability of lymphocytes with a micronucleus for animals of two farms was 4.0–4.2‰. The number of dinuclear lymphocytes (6.2‰) exceeded the mitotic index (4.3‰) with an insignificant difference in the average values, which indicates the absence of radionuclide contamination of the territory. Conclusions. The average number of aneuploid cells – 10.8%, polyploid – 1.4%, asynchronous divergence of the centromeric regions of chromosomes – 3.9% and the proportion of chromosomal breaks – 1.1%. The proportion of lymphocytes with a micronucleus – 4.0–4.2–4, dinuclear lymphocytes – 6.2‰ and the mitotic index – 4.3‰, which indicates the stability of the karyotype of the studied horses.

In Vitro Cold Acclimation is Required for Successful Cryopreservation of Juglans Regia L. Shoot Tips

BACKGROUND: Persian walnut (Juglans regia L.) is one of the most economically important nut crops. In the Western Tien Shan in Kazakhstan, walnut forests are the northernmost in the natural range of this species. Shoot tip cryopreservation is an important strategy to ensure long-term clonal conservation of plant genetic resources. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of cold acclimation duration (0-6 weeks) with alternating temperatures (8 h at 22°C, light intensity 10 μmol m -2 s -1 /16 h at -1°C, in the dark) and of plant vitrification solution 2 (PVS2) exposure duration (30, 50, 80 or 100 min) on shoot tip regrowth after cryopreservation by vitrification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro-grown shoots of three wild Juglans regia accessions from a native population of Sairam-Ugam National Natural Park in the south of Kazakhstan and of cultivar Milotai 10 were used as sources of plant material. Shoot tips (1.8-2.0 mm with five to six leaf primordia) were excised from in vitro- grown shoots and cryopreserved using PVS2 vitrification technique. RESULTS: Regrowth of cryopreserved shoot tips increased and was significantly higher (P < 0.05) after 4-6 weeks cold acclimation with the highest regrowth between 59.9-67.8% after 5 weeks for the four genotypes tested. The highest regrowth level was obtained after 80 min of PVS2 exposure, which was significantly better (P < 0.05) compared to 30, 50 or 100 min exposure. CONCLUSION: The PVS2 vitrification protocol established is very effective for cryopreservation of both unique wild J . regia germplasm and of walnut cultivars.