North-Eastern Ukraine Research Articles

Mezyn National Natural Park as a centre of forest phytodiversity maintaince of north-eastern Ukraine

Mezyn National Natural Park is in the north part of the Korop District of the Chernihiv Region, 310 km2 in area, is characteristic for its strongly dismembered landscape that stipulates presence of varied localities, among them there are exterminated glaciofluvial plains, slopes and super streamside terraces. Aim of research included an expose of the value of the Mezyn NNP in maintenance of forest diversity of vascular plants and forest communities. In the Mezyn NNP there are 772 species of spontaneous flora, 194 species of the cultivated flora and 18 rarity species. The rarest species are concentrated in the centre and the east, prats of the park richer in vegetation cover. In the forest group of the Mezyn NNP 10 species of vascular plants are recordered in the Red book of the Ukraine. The wooden territory of the Mezyn NNP presents 38% and provides the variety of ecotopic terms after they provides a wide spectrum of representation and protection of forest species of vascular plants and corresponding phytocommunites.

Territorial Heraldry of the Kharkiv Region: Tradition and Innovation

The article traces the evolution of territorial heraldry in the Kharkiv Region (northeastern Ukraine). Emblem-making began here rather late — in the second half of the eighteenth century, although first references to local territorial coats of arms belong to the second half of the 17th century. It proceeded under the influence of long-established Western European tradition and according to rules developed within the framework of a centralized Russian Empire. During the Soviet period, such traditions and rules underwent a radical revision. This uneven historical background determined the uniqueness of the process of emblem-making in the era of Ukrainian independence. Today’s territorial heraldry of the Kharkiv Region accommodates a rather heterogeneous mix of inherited features. Modern emblem-making has often been spontaneous and uncoordinated. The body of territorial emblems we have today is eclectic; its formation is still underway. The role of city emblems in the self-representation of communities remains insignificant.

The Development of the Public Education System in Northeastern Ukraine in the Period Spanning the 18th and the first half of the 19th сenturies

The Development of the Public Education System in Northeastern Ukraine in the Period Spanning the 18th and the first half of the 19th сenturies

Sharp Differences in the Timing of Male and Female Spring Arrival in the European Stonechat, Saxicola Rubicola, and the Whinchat, S. Rubetra (Passeriformes, Muscicapidae), in North-Eastern Ukraine

Abstract Protandry, or the arrival of males prior to females to the breeding grounds is a widespread phenomenon in migratory birds though rarely examined in related species in which its manifestation can vary. European Stonechat and Whinchat are such a pair studied with use of individual marking in North-Eastern Ukraine in 1993–2008. An apparent protandry was found in Whinchat but not in European Stonechat. The difference between the arrival dates of male and female Whinchats (6 days) was significant. The mean time span between territory establishment by a male and subsequent pair formation was 10.6 days. By contrast, 38% of the first records of European Stonechats in spring were those of already paired birds and the difference between arrival dates of both sexes was non-significant. The proximate cause of protandry in Whinchat and its’ absence in European Stonechat seems to be the differences (or the lack thereof) in the onset of spring migration. The time lapse between the start of migration of male and female Whinchats originates at African wintering grounds and is maintained en route. The absence of the protandry in European Stonechat is probably a relict behaviour from the residency. The protandry in migratory populations of this species is yet to be developed.

Summer fire in steppe habitats: long-term effects on vegetation and autumnal assemblages of cursorial arthropods

Abstract Being an essential driving factor in dry grassland ecosystems, uncontrolled fires can cause damage to isolated natural areas. We investigated a case of a small-scale mid-summer fire in an abandoned steppe pasture in northeastern Ukraine and focused on the post-fire recovery of arthropod assemblages (mainly spiders and beetles) and vegetation pattern. The living cover of vascular plants recovered in a year, while the cover of mosses and litter remained sparse for four years. The burnt site was colonised by mobile arthropods occurring in surrounding grasslands. The fire had no significant impact on arthropod diversity or abundance, but changed their assemblage structure, namely dominant complexes and trophic guild ratio. The proportion of phytophages reduced, while that of omnivores increased. The fire destroyed the variety of the arthropod assemblages created by the patchiness of vegetation cover. In the post-fire stage they were more similar to each other than at the burnt plot in the pre- and post-fire period. Spider assemblages tended to recover their pre-fire state, while beetle assemblages retained significant differences during the entire study period.

Justice System of Northeastern Ukraine and the Influence of Russian Judicial Practice (middle XVII – XVIII centuries)

Justice System of Northeastern Ukraine and the Influence of Russian Judicial Practice (middle XVII – XVIII centuries)

Impact of stand variables on characteristics of avian soundscape in common oak (Quercus robur L.) forests

Abstract One of the problems that may arise when conducting long-term monitoring of bird populations in forest landscapes may be discrepancies between data obtained by different researchers. Using acoustic monitoring may solve this problem. To establish the suitability of the acoustic method for monitoring the state of forest ecosystems, studies were conducted in May and June 2018 on seven plots different from each other by stand age and species composition in a maple-linden-oak forest in northeastern Ukraine. The species composition of birds, the structure and composition of the stand and the values of six acoustic indices were calculated. Differences were found in all acoustic indices at different sites. The smallest values of the indices were noted in the overgrown clear-cut. Four acoustic indices in the May survey and five of the six in the June survey show significant correlations with the species richness of birds. All indices correlate with the values of several stand variables, which characterize the size and species composition of the stand, understorey and field vegetation, the closeness of various vegetation tiers, and with the distance to the edges and the nearest populated areas. The results suggest the possibility of using an acoustic approach to monitoring the bird population and the state of forest ecosystems.

Trophic links of the song thrush (Turdus philomelos) in transformed forest ecosystems of North-Eastern Ukraine

The diet spectrum of the song thrush (Turdus philomelos Brehm, 1831; Passeriformes, Turdidae) was studied with the aim of supporting the population of the species in transformed forests of North-Eastern Ukraine. Four forest ecosystems were surveyed: three model sites in oak woodlands with different stages of recreational digression, and the fourth model site in a pine-oak forest. A total of 45 invertebrate taxa with the dominance of Insecta (64.6%, n = 1321), Oligochaеta (16.7%), and Gastropoda (12.0%) were revealed in the diet of the song thrush. At the level of orders, Lepidoptera (66.2%) was dominant. In the qualitative structure of the song thrush nestling diet, the highest number of taxa (40.5–59.1%) was represented by phytophages. Phytophagous species also comprised the majority of the consumed prey items (44.7–80.3%). Environmental conditions are an important factor, affecting the diet composition of birds. The most favourable foraging conditions for the thrushes were revealed in natural protected areas. The analysis has shown a fairly even foraging efficiency of the thrushes in all the studied sites. The highest biodiversity indices were found in a protected area of the National Nature Park “Homilshanski Forests”. The results of the research indicate an important role of T. philomelos in the population management of potentially dangerous agricultural pests.

Trends and synchrony in fluctuations of the numbers of Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) and European Stonechat (S. rubicola) in chalk steppe of North-eastern Ukraine

The problem of coexistence of related species within the same communities poses a question of how similar are the fluctuations of their numbers. Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) and European Stonechat (S. rubicola) is an example of such a pair of phylogenetically related bird species, which are members of a foraging guild of sit-and-wait insectivores in open habitats. In Ukraine both species are quite common in meadows, steppes, fallow lands and other grassland habitats including undisturbed areas in nature reserves. In North-eastern Ukraine Whinchat and European Stonechat are characteristic of the bird communities of hills with chalk outcrops where they represent a group of species linked to chalk steppe. The trends in numbers and synchrony in fluctuations in the numbers of both species in this habitat were studied in national nature park ‘Dvorichanskyi’, Kharkiv region, North-eastern Ukraine for 9 years’ period (2010–2018). The data were retrieved from the results of yearly monitoring bird counts in chalk grassland habitats. The total-area census method was used on 3 plots of unequal size (17.8, 33.2, and 41.0 ha). The trends were analysed in programme TRIM (TRends & Indices for Monitoring data) vers. 3.53. The extent of synchrony was estimated by means of zero-lag cross-correlation between the time series of log-transformed growth rates. Additionally, the coincidence of the direction of changes and the coincidence of peaks in series were checked. The trend in Whinchat abundance is characterised as significant steep decline (multiplicative slope 0.840, standard error 0.03; p<0.01). The trend in European Stonechat abundance is classified as non-significant uncertain (multiplicative slope 0.909, standard error 0.06). The trends in both species correspond to general trends in Europe evidenced in PanEuropean Common Bird Monitoring Scheme for 1980–2016 and 1989–2016 for Whinchat and European Stonechat accordingly. The synchrony in fluctuations of the numbers of Whinchat and European Stonechat in chalk steppe habitats proved to be weak. Time series of both species abundances run in different directions almost in all cases where the comparison was possible that indicates probable differences in the causes of the dynamics of their populations. The study prompts to launch new or extend existing monitoring schemes in nature reserves and national parks in Ukraine to get reliable estimates for the trends in numbers of both rare and common bird species.

Alexander Sergeyevich Lisetskiy – to the 100th anniversary of the birth

Biographical information and brief information on the scientific activities of Alexander Sergeyevich Lisetskiy (1919–1991), one of the leading zoologists at Kharkov University, are provided. The study of student A.S.Lisetskiy at the Faculty of Biology of Kharkov University was interrupted by the years of the World War II, which he passed in tank division. Only in 1948 he graduated from the Department of Vertebrate Zoology and then worked here until the end of his life. Alexander Sergeevich Lisetskiy was the author of scientific works on ornithology, theriology and nature conservation; created an outstanding collection of Lepidoptera; he is the author of significant scientific collections of birds and mammals, which are preserved in the University’s Museum of Nature. The entire scientific legacy of the scientist is considered together with the details of his scientific biography, the history of research, inseparable from the history of the Department of Vertebrate Zoology. Over 45 years of work at Kharkov University, A.S.Lisetskiy took part in all the expeditions of the department under the direction of I.B.Volchanetsky in the framework of the research topics of the department. In 1948–50 he took part in the study of the fauna of Lake Elton. In 1950–52, at the experimental reclamation station of the Institute of Hydrotechnics and Land Reclamation of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, he participated in the study of the effect of irrigation and field-protective breeding on the fauna. Together with the expedition, under the guidance of Professor I.B.Volchanetsky, he studied birds of deciduous forests of northeastern Ukraine – as a source of enrichment of the created protective forest belts with useful fauna. In 1965 he defended his thesis on mammals of artificial irrigation fields (supervised by professor I.B.Volchanetsky). In 1960–80 A.S.Lisetskiy did a lot to study the fauna of the Kharkov region – for the first time published a fundamental summary of the avifauna of the Izyum forests; studied the avifauna of Kharkov, participated in the creation of the first project of the national park "Gomolshansky." Alexander Sergeyevich did a lot as a popularizer of science – he lectured at the People's University "Nature", published interesting popular articles in periodicals. A.S.Lisetskiy left a noticeable mark on the scientific fate of many students of the Department of Zoology of Kharkov University, transferring the skills of a real field researcher – conscientious, hardworking, infinitely in love with his job.

Fossil Ovibos Moschatus (Artiodactyla, Bovidae) from Buryn, with Reference to Muskox Dispersal in the Late Pleistocene of Ukraine

Abstract The skull fragment of muskox Ovibos moschatus (Artiodactyla, Bovidae) obtained from Chasha River bed alluvium near the Buryn (Sumy Region, North-Eastern Ukraine) is described here in detail. It belongs to a young male, and presumably dates back to Late Pleistocene. This new find slightly extends the known Ukrainian range of the species to the east. Taxonomic attribution of extinct muskox and dispersal of Ovibos moschatus within the territory of Ukraine during the Late Pleistocene are also discussed in the paper.

Results of the 10-Year Monitoring of Bat (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) Winter Aggregation from the North-Eastern Ukraine (Liptsy Mines, Kharkiv Region)

Abstract Monitoring of bats in hibernacula is a key element for the estimation of long-term population trends in Northern hemisphere bats. However, there is currently limited winter bat monitoring data from Ukraine, making long-term population estimates diffi cult. We present data on bat population monitoring in the largest bat hibernacula in North-Eastern Ukraine (Liptsy mines). Between 1999-2010 we conducted 115 censuses inside the three mines and counted 1150 specimens of M. daubentonii, M. dasycneme and P. auritus. 385 individuals of the same species were captured by mist-nets (39 nights). Th e yearly average temperature in the Liptsy 1 mine is close to the mean of annual temperature in the Kharkiv Region (about +7 .C); the humidity ranged from 85-100 %. Th e mean number of bats counted in a visit ranged from 1.4 to 4.9 bats, and 28 in one case. Great fl uctuations in bat number were noted in Liptsy 1 and Liptsy 3-4 mines. Th ere were high bat numbers (up to one hundred individuals on average) in the winters 2000- 2001 and 2007-2008, and low bat number in winters 2002-2003 and 2003-2004. Th e species relative abundance for M. daubentoniiwas - 75-90 %, P. auritus - 7-20 %, M. dasycneme - 1-10 % respectively.

The first winter record of Nyctalus noctula in northeastern Ukraine

The first winter record of Nyctalus noctula in northeastern Ukraine

Grazing, abandonment and frequent mowing influence the persistence of the steppe marmot, Marmota bobak

Abstract The goals of the study were to illustrate how parameters of steppe marmot settlements change after abandonment of livestock grazing, to evaluate differences in vegetation characteristics between grazed and abandoned habitats, to find the links between these characteristics and the persistence of marmot settlements and to establish whether it is possible to maintain the food base of marmots by applying frequently repeated mowing. Data were collected in 1991-2016 in the steppe marmot (Marmota bobak) settlement in the Regional Landscape Park “The Velykyi Burluk-Steppe” (Kharkiv Region, Northeastern Ukraine). We found that grazing prolongs the period of active plant growth and supports a regrowth during periods of intensive feeding of all age groups of marmots. In abandoned habitats the vegetation period ended before the end of active feeding of reproductive females and juveniles. This resulted in lower reproductive success, which determines a decrease in the population and may in the future result in a larger decline of settlements. Frequently repeated mowing by a lawnmower at a cutting height of 6-9 cm prolongs the vegetation period and maintains a water content in the plants similar to that of grazed habitats throughout the active season of steppe marmots.

Myxomycetes of the National Nature Park Slobozhanskiy (Ukraine): biodiversity and noteworthy species

We found 77 species of myxomycetes in the oak and pine forests of the National Nature Park Slobozhanskiy in northeastern Ukraine. Among them, Arcyria imperialis, Didymium ovoideum, Lamproderma gulielmae, Trichia subfusca, Oligonema fulvum and Physarum spectabile are new for Ukraine. In addition, a specimen, preliminary identified as Arcyria cf. bulbosa, may represent a species new to science.

Determination of lumbricus terestris population density in soil layers from the aboyotic factors complete effect under conditions of north-eastern Ukraine

Aim. The aim of the research is to establish the dependence of Lumbricus terestris population density in different soil layers on the complex (complete) effect of abiotic factors under conditions of the Northern East of Ukraine.Methods. The methods of the research are field (method of excavations for determining the population density, selection of soil samples) and laboratory ones (determination of humidity, рН, electrical conduction (ЕС) of the soil).Results. The example of three abiotic factors (temperature, humidity and рН of the soil) demonstrates their complex (complete influence) on the Lumbricus terestris population density in soil layers 0–20 and 20–40 cm. Partial and plural coefficients of correlation of signs of temperature, humidity, рН of the soil and number of individuals, pair coefficients of correlation of signs of concentration of organic and non-organic substances (TDS) in the soil solution and population density of the variety testified to the different character of connections and dependencies. Conclusions. The importance of the influence of one or another abiotic factor at the constant value of another one on the population density from the least to the biggest one grows in the succession: temperature, humidity, рН. The importance of the influence of the complete effect of two factors grows in the succession: temperature and humidity, humidity and рН, temperature and рН. The correlative-regressive model gives a possibility to prognosticate the soil fertility (in the wide understanding) depending on this variety population

Alien plant species (ephemerophytes) in Romensko-Poltavsky Geobotanical District, Ukraine

Abstract This paper presents the results of research on ephemerophytes of the alien portion of the flora of the Romensko-Poltavsky Geobotanical District (north-eastern Ukraine). It is a detailed study of this group of plants, conducted for the first time in the Ukraine. The checklist of alien vascular plants contains 345 species, of which 27 species are ephemerophytes (or 8%): Adonis aestivalis, A. annua, Papaver albiflorum, Urtica cannabina, Gypsophila perfoliata, Atriplex micrantha, Chenopodium × preissmannii, Ch. × thellungii, Rumex longifolius, Sisymbrium polymorphum, Euphorbia humifusa, Malus sylvestris, Onobrychis viciifolia, Astrodaucus orientalis, Datura tatula, Solanum schultesii, Lindernia procumbens, Melampyrum cristatum, Helianthus annuus, Petasites spurius, Xanthium ripicola × Xanthium albinum, Echinochloa tzvelevii, Panicum capillare, Panicum capillare L. subsp. barvipulvinatum, Phalaris canariensis, Setaria ×ambigua, Sorghum halepense. The basis of this work is original data of the author obtained during field studies, and a critical study of the literature, archival, cartographic materials and herbarium collections, and the use of classical methods of botanical classification. Complex research of this group of plants was conducted and as a result of these investigations the following characteristics were established: a predominance of kenophytes of Mediterranean origin in this group, species of arid areas, cosmopolitan species with a diffuse type of space structure, therophytes, herbaceous monocarpic plants, mesotrophes, heliophytes and xeromesophytes, with an insignificant degree of impact on native plant communities and with a limited distribution within the study region. The combination of these results indicates that ephemerophytes comprise a temporary, unstable component of the flora of this region of the Ukraine. The paper provides maps of the distribution of these 27 species.

Syntaxonomic adaptability of lower layer plants of the forest communities in the North-Eastern Ukraine

<p>In the North-Eastern part of Ukraine the forest communities occupy considerable area and have great ecological and economic value. In natural forests herbs and subshrubs maintain the canopy cover through the recovery mechanism when the undergrowth of woody plants by height constitutes a part of the herbaceous and subshrub layer. Cenoflora within the lower layers of mixed coniferous-broad leaved forests of the southern part of the Eurasian forest zone is a fairly complete structural unit, especially in the central parts of the moisture and soil fertility gradients. Syntaxonomic adaptability of the lower layer plants of the forest communities in the North-East of Ukraine is established, and their ecological and biological diversity is determined as a result of the researches conducted. A group of species of forest herbs and subshrubs by the ecological status takes an intermediate position because of their habitat versatility. The species of this group are characterized by the vegetative propagation along with the effective seed reproduction. The habitat versatility and combination of the two types of reproduction are the main reasons for a wide representation of the species of this group in different syntaxons. A high floristic biodiversity of the forest communities of the North-Eastern part of Ukraine and their flora heterogeneity are determined based on the comparative floristic analysis. The floristic difference between the two major classes of vegetation in this region is shown, and it is found that Querco-Fagetea class is characterized by a high nutrient status and good warming-up under slightly reduced soil moisture, whereas the main feature of Vaccinio-Piceetea class is low soil fertility.</p>

Загибель ссавців на автошляхах північно-східної України

Загибель ссавців на автошляхах північно-східної України

The physiological state of the larvae and infestation of domestic ungulates by Echinococcus granulosus (Cyclophyllidea, Taeniidae) in North-Eastern Ukraine

Echinococcus granulosus (Batsch, 1786) has a worldwide distribution. Different types of carnivores (dogs, jackals, wolves, foxes), domestic and wild ungulates are included in its life cycle. There are significant differences in its pattern of contamination of domestic ungulates in the various regions of Ukraine. Pigs are major intermediate hosts of E. granulosus in the northern and western regions of the country, sheep and cattle in the southern and eastern regions. These differences are associated with strains of Echinococcus. The article presents the results of research conducted on 1,884 pigs, 1,025 sheep and 1,406 cattle in Polesia and the forest-steppe zone of the north-east of Ukraine. We have established the development of Echinococcus larvae in pigs (extent of invasion 10.2 ± 0.6%) and sheep (extent of invasion 0.7 ± 0.2%). The cysts did not develop in cattle. Pigs generally had a low invasion intensity (less than 6 larvae). A high level of invasion intensity (more than 10 larvae) was infrequently recorded in these animals. All sheep had a low level of invasion intensity.The E. granulosus larvae found in sheep were dead. In pigs, most cysts developed to fertile state (139 cases). Young, sterile and dead larvae were less common (39, 10, 4 cases). Pigs older than 10 months had the highest number of fertile cysts. Young larvae dominated in pigs younger than 10 months. In these animals, larvae were localized predominantly in the liver. The kidneys and lungs were infected less frequently. The large number of fertile cysts in pigs older than 10 months made this group of animals the main intermediate hosts of E. granulosus in the north-eastern part of Ukraine. They enable the parasite to function actively here. Analysis of infestation by E. granulosus larvae of domestic ungulates of the Polesia and the forest-steppe zone showed no significant differences. Identified differences were not statistically confirmed.