Significant Anthropogenic Transformation Research Articles

Urban greenspaces shape soil nematode community across soil depth gradients: Belowground life at The Ohio State University

Urban greenspaces face significant anthropogenic transformation, impacting soil ecosystems, multifunctionality, and global biodiversity. With increasing population and urbanization, understanding the drivers influencing soil nematode communities in urban greenspaces is crucial for sustainable urban ecosystem management. We chose the campus of The Ohio State University (OSU) due to its unique urban settings with minimally disturbed both turf and non-turf ecosystems. This study focuses on nematodes, the often-overlooked ecological engineers which play diverse roles in ecosystem functions. Nematodes were collected from 99 sampling locations across three soil depths to represent two ecosystem types (i.e., turf and non-turf) of the OSU campus. Among plant parasitic nematodes (PPN), Helicotylenchus and Pratylenchus populations were above damage threshold limits. No specific pattern of community composition was observed in the spatial variation map. The presence of rare PPN genera in the lower soil layers had a significant impact on beta diversity. Trophic group abundances displayed distinct patterns, with turf ecosystems exhibiting higher PPN as well as total nematode abundance decreasing with soil depths. In the subsurface layer (10–30 cm), both bacterivores and fungivores were higher in the non-turf than turf ecosystem. Fungal-dominated decomposition of organic matter was observed in both ecosystem types. Soil physiochemical properties, specifically, total organic carbon and soil texture, had a significant impact on PPN community composition. However, nematode trophic group composition was more altered by ecosystem type than edaphic factors followed by soil depths. Together these three explanatory variables explained 27.5 % of the total variance in trophic group composition. Overall, this study provides insights into the complex interactions between PPN, trophic groups, soil properties, and urban ecosystem characteristics, contributing valuable knowledge for sustainable urban greenspace management.

GEOTOURIST OBJECTS AND ROUTESOF THE SIAN LOWLAND

The geomorphological, geological, and archaeological objects of the Sian Lowlandhave been studied, and their significance as potentially popular geotourist attractions has been substantiated. The Sian Lowlandis located in the northwestern part of the Ukrainian Carpathian Foreland and is a constituent geomorphological element of the Sian-Dniester interfluve. The lowland’s relief is smooth, characterized by the alternation of ridge-like elevations of the Vyshnia‒Vizhomlia, Vizhomlia‒Shklo, Shklo‒Zavadivkainterstreams and shallow trough-shaped river valleys with gently inclined non-terraced slopes and often waterlogged bottoms. The topography of the Vyshniaand Shklo valleys is varied with dunes concentrated in two strips – one stretches along the right side of the Vyshnia river valley through the villages of Malniv, Martyny, Sokolia, ArlamivskaVolia, Khorosnytsia and Zarichchia, and the other one is developed in the Shklo river valley between Krakivets and Yavoriv. The northeastern part of the Sian Lowland has undergone a significant anthropogenic transformation – the Shklo River channel has been regulated, and a complex of anthropogenic landforms and deposits has been formed within the boundaries of the Yavoriv mining district: karst processes and phenomena have been activated. Less large-scale anthropogenic changes have occurred in the lowland’s southern part, which is proposed to be covered by a geotourist route that will run through Rodatychi ‒ SudovaVyshnia ‒ Zarichchia‒Khorosnytsia ‒ ArlamivskaVolia ‒ Sulkivshchyna. The main geotourist attractions here are the following geological, geomorphological and archaeological objects: the preserved valley of glacial meltwater runoff between Rodatychi and SudovaVyshnaya, which is now drained by the Rakivriver, as well as the dunes spread in the valley and the archeological monument KniazhyiMist; eolian, fluvial landforms and deposits, outcrops of fluvioglacial accumulations and archaeological sites developed in the vicinity of the villages of Zarichchiaand Pisky:a complex of eolian and fluvial landforms and deposits, as well as archaeological sites, developed nearKhorosnytsia village; eolian landforms and deposits, an archaeological site near the village of ArlamivskaVolia; glacial accumulations, which were discovered in a quarry located east of the village of Sulkivshchyna (north of Mostyska). These settlements are connected to each other and to Lviv by the M-11 highway (Lviv‒Mostyska‒Shehyni) and/or the Lviv‒Shehynirailway line, which provides convenient access to the proposed geotourist attractions. The developed geotourist route also makes it possible to unite the so far separate Carpathian, Carpathian Foreland and Roztoczegeotourist routes into a single network. Key words: geotourist attractions; Sian Lowland; eolian deposits; dune; terrace; fluvial landform; archaeological site.

The management of transformed small river basins of Volyn Polissia – Buniv River case study

The assessment of the transformation level in the Buniv River basin (Ukraine) transformation was performed. Substantiates the need to improve the monitoring system within the river basin, as the main tool for assessing and predicting changes in the aquatic ecosystem and managing the processes of its anthropogenic. The research methods included on-site investigations, laboratory and analytical studies, data processing using GIS technologies. A topographic survey of the Buniv River’s floodplain within the village of Rokytne town was performed. The on-site investigations included field surveys and water sampling at 4 control sites on the Buniv River for 13 quality indicators. The analysis of the obtained cartographic models indicates a significant anthropogenic transformation of the natural landscapes. A significant part of the watercourses of the Buniv River basin was once directed and transformed into main canals of the meliorative systems. This causes the formation more dangerous flood flow.

Analysis of ecofloristic diversity of the Poaceae family of forest biogeocenoses of the northern steppe Prydniprovya

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of cereals in the functioning of natural ecosystems and their use for human life. They often play the role of dominants and edifiers in the composition of plant cover, primarily herbaceous types of vegetation. But they also take part in the composition of forest phytocenoses of different natural zones. Within Ukraine, the Poaceae family includes 71 genera (of which only 4 are in culture) and 208 species (of which only 15 are in culture) [20]. The cereal flora of forest biogeocenoses of the analyzed area was studied in the end of the 19th century [1]. Since the studied forest complexes are located within the steppe zone with various conditions of watershed-beam and valley-terrace landscapes, they contain species of various ecomorphs: from xerophytes to hygrophytes (or even helophytes); from heliophytes to sciophytes, from oligotrophs to megatrophs. The flora of forest biogeocenoses of the northern steppe Prydniprovya region includes 73 species of vascular plants. The greatest species richness belongs to the flora of floodplain forests, which confirms the statement about the extraordinary biodiversity of floodplain landscapes [35]. Of the entire flora of forest biogeocenoses, hemicryptophytes (42 species) predominate among climamorphs, heliophytes (66 species) predominate among heliomorphs, mesotrophs (39 species) among trophomorphs, and mesophytes (45 species) among hygromorphs. Among the coenomorphs, the majority are forest-meadow (55 species) and ruderal-forest (18 species). The Roaceae family of the forest biogeocenoses of the northern steppe Prydniprovya region includes 6 rare species that are included in the regional red list of rare plants [29]. The ecomorphic analysis of the flora confirms the peculiarities of the physical and geographical conditions of different types of forests. Among the climamorphs, hemicryptophytes predominate in birachous and wall forests. The majority of heliophytes are characteristic of arenaceous forests, and sciophytes are characteristic of floodplain forests. Among trophomorphs, megatrophs predominate in birachous and walled forests, oligotrophs in arena forests. The largest number of hygrophytes is characteristic of floodplain forests, and xerophytes is characteristic of arena forests. The forest biogeocenoses of the northern steppe Prydniprovya are characterized by significant anthropogenic transformation of the vegetation cover. In the composition of the forest flora, there are only 16 purely ruderal (weedy) species, and 23 ruderal species in mixed ecomorphs. Among them, 16 are adventive ruderal species. The assessment of anthropogenic transformation of the plant cover using the hemerobium method shows that the majority of the hemerobium species belong to mesohemerobes – species that grow on the territories of landscapes with a medium degree of transformation. This indicates a moderate transformation of the forest biogeocenoses of the northern steppe Prydniprovya. Among all types of forests, the least transformed are floodplain, ravine and wall forests.

Influence of Forest Environment Factors on Ornithocomplexes of the Valleys of the Large Tributaries of the Ob River (Western Siberia)

Western Siberia is an interesting polygon for studying the patterns of territorial variability of zonal forest formations and their animal population. Forests covering more than 60% of the territory are undergoing significant anthropogenic transformation due to the activities of the oil-and-gas industry, large-scale deforestation and fires. All this makes it very relevant to study the spatial differentiation of ornithocomplexes, as well as natural and anthropogenic environmental factors that determine it. The data was collected during the period of 1996-2010 using the route bird census method in 64 landscape forest plots with a total length of over a thousand km, in the valleys of large tributaries of the Ob River (the Chulym, Ket, Vasyugan and Tym Rivers). The total abundance of birds, the composition of the dominant species in terms of population density, and the species richness depending on the zoning (middle and southern taiga subzones), the species composition of tree stands, the terrain, and the degree of anthropogenic transformation of the environment by forest cutting and fires of forest ornithocomplexes, are discussed.

Environmental conditions of the landscape functioning in the Pribaikalskii National Park: historical perspective

The history of the economic development of the valley complexes of the Goloustnaya River basin is considered. Forestry and agricultural activities are designated as the main activities developed by the local population. Fluctuation changes in the intensity of their implementation are highlighted, specifically. the slowly developing process of economic development of valley landscapes due to low population in the second half o f the 17th century and until the first half of the 20th century; expansion of agricultural land and growth of industrial development of forest resources, starting from the middle of the 20th century until the end of the 1980s; and a decrease in economic activities since the end of the last century, which is connected both with the state reorganization of the country’s economy and with creation of specially protected natural territories within the studied area. The valley complexes of the Goloustnaya River are at risk from the recreational development of coastal areas of Lake Baikal that have been actively developing in recent years. Taiga landscapes of the upper and middle reaches of the river are at risk of spreading forest fires. Negative consequences from economic activities have been contributing to a significant anthropogenic transformation of landscapes of the Pribaikalskii National Park for a long period.

Biotopic diversity and ecomorphic analysis of the Gryshkiv lis tract (Poltava)

The study of ecosystem and biotope biodiversity of park ecosystems allows to identify the most valuable plant objects in their composition, to assess the degree of stability of existing groups and to identify current threats of anthropogenic impact on them. Gryshkiv Lis tract (Poltava, Kyiv region) is one of the centers of natural phytodiversity conservation and is an array of deciduous forests with an area of ​​about 50 hectares, located adjacent to residential areas of the city. Research materials were collected during field expeditions in August–September 2021 using generally accepted geobotanical methods. The list of higher plants found on the territory of the Gryshkiv Lis tract includes 154 species belonging to 3 classes, 51 families. The most numerous of them are Asteraceae – 19%, Poaceae – 14%, Rosaceae – 11% and Lamiaceae – 10%. There are two species of plants listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and seven species are regionally rare plants. One plant group was identified in the Green Book of Ukraine. Ecomorphic analysis of species showed that mesophytes, sciogeliophytes and mesotrophs predominate in the study area. Thus, the proportions of hygromorphs, heliomorphs and tropomorphs are close to the structure of the typical flora of the forest-steppe zone, which indicates favorable development conditions for zonal forest vegetation. However, in the spectrum of cenomorphs the share of ruderants is quite significant – almost 20%, the percentage of adventitious species is close to 3%. This indicates a significant anthropogenic transformation of the flora of the surveyed object. Habitat classification was carried out in accordance with the structure of the National Catalog of Habitats of Ukraine. Studies have shown that in the tract "Grishkiv Lis" there are at least 7 habitats, including forest (Eastern European mesophilic eutrophic deciduous forests of forest-steppe and steppe zones), swampy (reedbeds normally without freestanding water, beds of large Carex spp.), shrubbery (lowland and collinar riverine willow scrub, Central European subcontinental thickets), grassy (mesophile fringes), synanthropic (ruderal biotops of perennial nitrophilic type grasses). The dominant habitat of the Gryshkiv Lis tract is natural deciduous forests. The studied object represents a characteristic type of vegetation for the forest-steppe zone – maple-linden oak wood (anthropogenically transformed) with elements of waterlogging. Its central areas are represented by stands with a high degree of preservation of the structure and have good prospects for preservation and restoration with moderate efforts. Recommendations for the preservation of floristic diversity and vegetation of the Gryshkiv Lis tract include the introduction of a system of biotechnical measures to support ecosystems, including restrictions and regulation of recreation, elimination of natural landfills, sewage disposal and elimination of unauthorized buildings. The territory has environmental, scientific, aesthetic and recreational significance. Creation here of a protected area will help preserve the coenotic, landscape and biological diversity of Poltava region.

Availability of forest plots for reforestation activities

Over the past decades, as a result of the economic use of forests, the impact of fires and biotic factors, the forest cover has undergone significant anthropogenic transformation. In certain forest conditions, reforestation is delayed for a long period, which leads to the accumulation of non-producing forest lands. The aim of the work was to develop a methodology for determining the criteria for accessibility of forest areas for carrying out reforestation activities on the example of the territory of the Taezhinsky forestry of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The area is dominated by deciduous plantations of average productivity. In the surveyed areas, natural regeneration is represented by soft-leaved species - birch and aspen of medium and large size categories from 1000 to 6000 pcs/ha. There is no natural regeneration of coniferous species. In these areas, it is necessary to create forest crops. The availability of forest areas for carrying out reforestation activities is limited by the transport, ecological and economic accessibility of forest crops. Within the boundaries of transport accessible quarters for carrying out reforestation activities, areas are identified that are suitable for soil and forest growing conditions for creating forest cultures with promising forest inventory characteristics not lower than grade III. The presented conditions correspond, first of all, to the green moss and forb groups of forest types. These plots constitute the second zone of silvicultural zoning, that is, an outstanding characteristic within the transport accessible quarters. The first stage of development includes forest areas of the II class of bonitet and higher, the second stage - III class of bonitet. Areas of quality class IV and below are reserved for natural reforestation.

Taxonomic structure as an indicator of anthropogenic transformation of flora: The Case Of the southern part of the Melekess-Stavropol region (Samara Trans-Volga region)

The results of anthropogenic impact can be traced on different components of the ecosystem. The vegetation cover is the basic component. Higher vascular plants make up an essential part of it. The flora of Samara Oblast can be characterized as the flora of legumes, since the Fabaceae family ranks third in the spectrum of families. However, not all territories in its composition have similar characteristics. Earlier, we analyzed the features of the flora of the Low Trans-Volga province using the example of the Melekess-Stavropol region. Its territory has a low-lying flat relief and significant economic development. As a result of human economic activity, most of the territory has been plowed and deforested. The flora of the southern part of the area is distinguished by the abundance of representatives of the Brassicaceae and Rosaceae families. The family Fabaceae is represented here by a relatively small number of species. Within the framework of this study, we consider local floras of various sizes corresponding to the middle part of the Melekess-Stavropol physical-geographical region (Suskan group) and the southern part (Togliatti group). Each of these groups, considered when taking into account the forest massifs in its composition, which, among other things, have a small area, exhibits the Rosaceae type of flora. At the same time, the indigenous fraction of the Suskan floristic group, excluding forest flora, shows the Cyperaceae type. The Rosaceae-type of flora can be considered as corresponding to the natural conditions of the studied area. The abundance of the Brassicaceae family can be explained by a significant anthropogenic transformation of the territory, which manifests itself, in particular, as an adventitization of the flora.

STATE OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE ECOLOGICAL CORRIDOR OF THE ORDER II (THE MYSHKA RIVER VALLEY, MINSK)

This article presents an assessment of the state of natural environment components (water, bottom sediments, soil and vegetation) within the valley complex of the Myshka River (Minsk). It is shown that in modern conditions, despite significant anthropogenic transformation, the valley complex retains a high potential for performing the necessary functions as an ecological corridor of the order II. The vegetation of the Myshka floodplain steadily retains its specificity due to the stable hydrological regime. Natural complexes here have a high ecological and recreational value. The section of the river in the middle course is in a more favorable condition, where the flow is better and the floodplain is represented by reserve green areas. A less favorable state is inherent in residual water bodies with disturbed flow in the upper course of the river, where the valley is mostly represented by areas of residential and public buildings. The river
 experiences the greatest load at the mouth – in the area above and below the outlet of surface wastewater treatment facilities. Here the river cannot cope with the anthropogenic load, the assimilation potential is 11–12 points, polyelement anomalies of oil products, cadmium, lead, copper and zinc are formed in the bottom sediments. 
 The area of the Myshka River valley, located in a low riverbed floodplain, has a most polluted soils. Here, a pedogeochemical anomaly from an association of elements, including petroleum products, cadmium, nickel, zinc, lead, copper,
 and manganese.

STUDY OF REPRODUCTIVE FEATURES AND AGE STRUCTURE OF DACTYLIS GLOMERATA L. CENOPOPULATION IN DIFFERENT ECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

The objective of the research was to identify the reproductive characteristics and age structure of cenopopulation of valuable forage cereal in different environmental conditions. Field studies were carried out in the vicinity of the village of Kvarsa in the Votkinsk region of the Udmurt Republic in 2017-2018. Soil samples were taken from each biotope and analyzed for pH and humus content. In cenopopulations of the Dactylis glomerata, the age states of partial bushes were determined of the test plots. Collected caryopses were germinated by the roll culture method in different solutions (0.001 % gibberellin, 0.5 % ammonium nitrate). The maximum indicators of seed germination, root and leaf length of seedlings in the initial period of growth were found for caryopses collected from plants from roadside habitats, which can be considered as adaptation of plants to conditions of significant anthropogenic transformation of the ecotope.

State of Split Birch Woods of the Southern Trans-Urals in the Zone of High Anthropogenic Load on Natural Ecosystems

The paper presents the results of our study of ecosystem diversity and the state of split-forest areas located in the Shchuchansky district of the Kurgan region. The species composition of forest stands, the productivity of tree species, the composition of underwood, brushwood and ground cover in plantations were analyzed. Data on the distribution of forest stands of various ages, composition, types of underwood and brushwood, as well as the main dominants of the ground cover are presented. Our studies have shown that forest communities are quite distinctly different in the nature of all storeys. A preliminary assessment of the economic impact on the territory of the site made it possible to identify significant changes in all the components of forest ecosystems, namely, ground cover, the composition and productivity of forest stands. The diversity of forest ecosystems in the study area is due to the ability of many plant species to inhabit a wide range of ecological conditions, as well as the composition, age and crowncontact, which, in turn, determines the nature of the storey of shrubs and ground cover. The volume of the forest type was taken quite large, it combined plantations of all age stages of forest stands development. Features of forest vegetation, typical for split forests of the Southern Trans-Urals, were revealed, namely: mosaic vegetation cover, low crown-contact and the presence of open spaces species in the lower storeys. The materials obtained showed that, despite the significant anthropogenic transformation, the forest ecosystems of the study area retained the main features characteristic of the peculiar vegetation of the forest-steppe of southern Siberia. The research results will make it possible to assess the diversity of forest ecosystems, to give a preliminary forecast of the dynamics of the site's vegetation and can be used in the development of a scientifically grounded strategy for forest management in the region under the conditions of the joint action of many natural and anthropogenic factors.

MODERN BELIGERATIVE RELIEF (ON THE EXAMPLE OF YAVORIV MILITARY TRAINING GROUND OF LVIV REGION)

The author establishes the types of relief created for military purposes (beligerative) and analyzes its morphology. The territory of the Yavoriv military training ground in the Lviv region, the largest in Ukraine training complex of various types and kinds of troops, was chosen as an example. The military training ground was established in the 30s of the twentieth century. In the past, Polish infantry, German tank divisions, Soviet troops, and nowadays Ukrainian and international ground and air forces trained here. The area of the landfill is 361.5 km2. It occupies an advantageous position in the terrain, as it is located on an elevated part of the Roztochchya Upland, where the Main European watershed passes. Loose sediments are widespread in the territory, which contribute to the creation of deep and elongated forms of beligerative relief. These are mainly quaternary alluvial sands and detritus of native rocks, aeolian and diluvial loess and sandy loams, alluvial sediments. We consider the beligerative relief as an integral part of the field military fortification. The research was performed on the base of interpretation of large-scale space images, aerial photographs and field studies. The modern beligerative relief observed at the Yavoriv military training ground was classified into positive and negative forms depending on the method of military activity. Positive forms include: 1) hills of command posts for control and surveillance, 2) hills of tank or cannon fortifications, 3) micro-hills of protection against small arms, 4) bunkers (wooden-earth defense points), 5) high-altitude targets and firing positions. Negative forms are as follows: 1) trenches of the defense line and the course of connections; 2) open structures for the protection of personnel: individual trenches, pairs, for several infantry, as well as for shooting lying down, kneeling, standing; 3) trenches for the protection of equipment and heavy artillery weapons; 4) closed structures for personnel protection: dugouts, bunkers, cracks, dugouts; 5) excavations from ruptures of artillery shells. There are more negative forms in the modern military relief. Analysis of space images from different times (1980–1990, 2000–2005, 2015–2019) and modern field observations allowed us to trace the dynamics of beligerative relief forms. The formation of new and most widespread forms occurs in the mid-80 of the twentieth century. At the end of the XX and at the beginning of the XXI century, the existing forms decline, steamrolled by exogenous processes, and new ones do not appear. New forms have been appeared since 2015, but only in small local areas. The place they appear are characterized by a significant anthropogenic transformation of the terrain, the development of exogenous processes, such as soil dispersal, desertification, erosion, oozing. Key words: beligerative (military) relief; Yavoriv military training ground (Ukraine); morphological classification.

ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ БОБОВЫХ ДЛЯ ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ РЕКУЛЬТИВАЦИИ СТЕПНЫХ ДЕГРАДИРОВАННЫХ ПАСТБИЩ КУЛУНДЫ

Intensive development of the steppe communities of Kulunda, located in the southern part of the West Siberian lowland in the XX century led to a significant anthropogenic transformation of all steppe ecosystems. Representatives of the legume family, which is the most important component of steppe grasses, have almost disappeared from the grasslands. The research was conducted on the territory of the Mikhailovsky district of the Altai territory, on the lands of LLC KKH «Partner» in the environs of Poluyamki village scince 2013-till present days climatic conditions of dry steppe zone of Western Kulunda. The aim of the work was to evaluate representatives of the legume family for ecological reclamation of Kulunda steppe pastures. The experiment was performed on 2 degraded fenced steppe areas (10 x 10 m) corresponding to the third stage of pasture digression. Winter sowing of legumes was carried out: cicer milk vetch (Astragalus cicer L.), sainfoin milk vetch (A. onobrychis L.), furrowed milk vetch (A. sulcatus L.), bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), sickle alfalfa (Medicago falcata L.), hop alfalfa (M. lupulina L.) and late spring sowing: cicer milk vetch and sainfoin, bird’s foot trefoil by tapping into the sod. Monthly growth dynamics of sown plants (number of shoots per m2, height, phenology) was recorded, and the feed value of aboveground biomass was established. It was found that the drought-resistant species of alfalfa sickle has a significant biomass, is short-lived in the grass stand and requires re-sowing every 4 years. Hop alfalfa is recommended for improving degraded pastures, but due to its short ontogeny, it needs to be re-sown every three years. Among milk vetches, sainfoil milk vetch is the most promising – a long-rooted, rod-rooted polycarpic that increases its area due to numerous underground rhizomes. The greatest nutritional and energy value was possessed by the phytomass of bird’s foot trefoil and sickle alfalfa.

Фітосозологічне значення об’єктів смарагдової мережі дніпровського екологічного коридору в межах лісостепу України

The Emerald Network of Ukraine provides the preservation of the most valuable and typical components of landscape and biotic diversity, including the habitats of rare and endangered species of plants. In order to ensure the effective protection of biodiversity, within the boundaries of natural or anthropogenically modified territories, the necessary condition for their flora diversity should be its study. One of the territories that is the central link in the structure of the ecological network of Ukraine is the Dnipro Ecological Corridor. Within the Dnipro ecological corridor of the forest–steppe of Ukraine are located 11 objects of the Emerald network, which is 4% of their total number in Ukraine, which are characterized by specific biotope–ecotope characteristics and which consist of a significant number of populations of endangered and rare plant species. As a result of the analysis the objects of the Emerald network, 33 habitats from Resolution No. 4 of the Bern Convention were identified (C1.222, C1.223, C1.224, C1.225, C1.226, C1.25, C1.32, C1.33, C1.3411, C1.3413, C1.67, C2.33, C2.34, C3.4, C3.51 (but excluding C3.5131), D5.2, E1.2, E1.9, E2.2, E3.4, E5.4, E6.2, F3.247, F9.1, G1.11, G1.21, G1.22, G1.3, G1.7, G1.8, G1.A1, G3.4232, X35) and 69 species of vascular plants, that belong to such protective lists : Annex I of the Bern Convention – 12, Resolution No. 6 of the Emerald Network – 11, the Red Book of Ukraine – 56 and the European Red List – 8 species. In Emerald objects, they are distributed in this way: Kanivskyi Nature Reserve – 40 species and 25 habitats, Holosiivskyi National Nature Park – 29 and 23, Nyzhnovorsklianskyi Regional Landscape Park – 26 and 21, Nyzhniosulskyi National Nature Park – 27 and 28, Kremenchutski Plavni Regional Landscape Park – 5 and 19, Kremenchutske Reservoir – 17 and 28, Kanivske Reservoir – 16 and 27, Dniprodzerzhynske Reservoir – 5 and 21, Ponyzia Stuhny – 8 and 10, Cherkaskyi Bir – 17 and 17, Mykhailivskyi – 10 and 22, respectively. Preservation and reproduction of rare species is one of the main tasks of creation the protected areas and ecological networks. An overview of the specific features of these objects and the existing conditions for conservation of biodiversity in general suggests that the considered areas, despite their very significant anthropogenic transformation, can be considered as important aspect of preservation and reproduction of rare vegetation diversity in the scale of the plains of Ukraine.

Biodiversity of the steps of the Lysa Hora - an element of the regional ecological network of the Odessa region

The article presents the results of studies of phytochemical diversity of the steppe tract Lysa Hora – an element of the regional ecological network of the Odessa region. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the ecological role of phytobiots of the Lysa Hora steppe tract, in particular in the spread of phytodiversity for the balanced development of the territory.Methods. For the analysis of phytobiots classical methods researches were used. Identification of plant species was performed according to the relevant determinant (Definitor ..., 1987). The biomorphological structure of species of higher vascular plants is represented by the linear system of life forms of V.M. Golubev (1972) and K. Raunkier (1934). The ecological structure of plant groups was determined by NI Basilevich (1986), ecological-phytocenotic structure - according to A.D. Belgard (1950). The data collected during the field surveys were processed using the spreadsheet program Microsoft Excel and Statistica 7.0.Research results. An assessment of the ecological role of the steppe tract of the Lysa Hora is given, according to the main ecological indicators: species richness, incidence and abundance of phytobiots. According to the results of our research, it has been established that 210 species of higher vascular plants belonging to 112 genera and 37 families occur in these territories. Most species of phytobiots belong to the Asteraceae – 17.1 %, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae – 11.4 %, Poaceae – 8 % to the leading families. The top ten genera of the spectrum also include the families Rosaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Rubiaceae, Brassicaceae, Boraginaceae, Plantaginaceae. In the spectrum of biomorphs, herbs are dominated by herbaceous plants – 50.1 %, perennials – 29.5 %. The location of the buds of renewal relative to the soil substrate is dominated by hemicryptophytes – 35.2 %, the proportion of terrophytes is 29 %, phanerophytes – 5.2, geophytes – 4.2, chamephytes – 1.4 %. The habitat of rare and endangered species of higher vascular plants, which indicate the value of the Lysa Hora steppe tract in floristic terms, has also been established.Conclusions. Steppe Tract Lysa Hora as an integral part of the regional eco-network, despite significant anthropogenic transformation, remains an important link in the spread of phyto-diversity and conservation of biota

ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ЧИСЕЛЬНОСТІ ТА ПРОСТОРОВОГО РОЗПОДІЛУ ПОПУЛЯЦІЙ ЗЕЛЕНОЇ ЯЩІРКИ (Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768) НА ТЕРИТОРІЇ НПП «ДНІСТРОВСЬКИЙ КАНЬЙОН»

Reliable information about the species composition of the fauna, way of life, abundance, distribution, and breeding features is not only the initial data for in-depth zoological, evolutionary and ecological research, but also the source for nature conservation activity based on the analysis of the state of wildlife resources.
 The European green lizard (Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768; Reptilia, Squamata) is one of the most vulnerable species of reptiles in the domestic herpetofauna. Therefore, it is the object of ecological research aimed at studying population structure, biotopic distribution, including within the protected natural areas and areas that are undergoing significant anthropogenic transformation.
 The work is based on field studies conducted in April August 2018 and data from the regular phenological observations of the Dniester Canyon National Nature Park.
 The current status of the European green lizard population (Lacerta viridis Laurenti, 1768) within the territory of Dniester Canyon National Nature Park has been investigated. The abundance and spatial distribution of the species populations in different biotopes have been studiedon the basis of long-term phenological observations according to the program of the Chronicle of Nature of the National Nature Park and the authors’ research. The data of the species occurrence on the territory of the Park for the last six years is given. The abundance of the European green lizard populations under different biotopical conditions and the main factors influencing the studied parameters have been analyzed.
 The European green lizard has been found to be a stenotopic species that favors only 2-3 biotopes, so it is highly vulnerable due to distortion of specific stations. Besides, L. viridis is the dominant species of reptiles on the Dniester slopes, its tributaries, streams, gullies and ravines.
 The biotopes inhabited by this species can be grouped into three main types:
 1) slopes of hills and ravines with thick-growing grassand bushes of hawthorn and dog rose (settlement density 30-50 inhabitants/km);
 2) areas related to broad-leaved forests and mixed forests glades, outskirts of forests, forest roads (20-50 inhabitants/km);
 3) steep slopes of gullies, steep bank slopes with limestone outcrops with herbaceous and shrubby vegetation (6-11 inhabitants/km).
 The spatial distribution of L. viridis communities in the region is predominantly aggregative and exists in several different forms, which is related to the configuration of favorable plots, the nutritive base and interspecies relationships.

Ecological and coenotical structure of the Regional Natural Monument «Chelyabinsk city pine forest» vegetation

The following paper deals with the ecological and coenotical structure of the Regional Natural Monument Chelyabinsk city pine forest vegetation. The estimation was done by a cluster analysis with Sorensen-Chekanovsky (Bray-Curtis) distance measure and a flexible beta group linkage method - by non-metric multidimensional scaling, phytoindication and general discriminant analysis algorithms. The flora and coenotical structure of Chelyabinsk city pine forest plant communities are characterized by significant anthropogenic transformation. Forest-margin and meadow, ruderal and synanthropic species are insinuating and naturalizing in pine forest communities actively and supplanting typical pine forest species off communities. The studied pine forest flora synanthropic index is 32 percent. 15 plant associations were detected; its flora, dominant and constant species, coenotical structure and biotopes were characterized by principal ecological factors. The biotopes series of ecological factors replacement were identified. Biotopes series are specified by forest stand ecological structure, that determining ecological regime changes from semi-light to semi-shade and from more arid to more damp. Also biotopes form series from wet more variable moistening bad-aerated not-acid and salt enriched soils to acid aerated poor soils with contrast arid moistening. The detected Chelyabinsk city pine forest biotopes are characterized by not so fluctuation of principal ecological factors.

The Functioning of the Cascade Lithodynamic System of the Kuda River Basin (Upper Angara Region)

The redistribution of sediments in the Kuda river basin as a result of erosion-accumulation processes is investigated from the systems perspective. The current geodynamic position of the basin associated with the transition zone from the Siberian platform to the Baikal rift is emphasized. The contribution of cryogenic, karst and aeolian processes to the mobilization of matter in the system is considered. A quantitative assessment of the amount of transported material in the upper (slope), middle (ravine) and lower (riverbed) lithodynamic zones of the basin was made. Time series of the main hydroclimatic indicators were used to determine the long-term dynamics of the functioning of the basin. Using the satellite images, we identified changes in the economic activities within the basin over the past 30 years. They imply a reduction in croplands and an expansion of grasslands. Calculations show that the annual volume of sediments transported within the basin reaches 3 184 430 tons. Most of them (89%) are involved in the movement by the runoff of storm water, and only 364 405 tons are transported with the runoff of melt water. The role of gully erosion in ablation and sediment transportation is insignificant, because most of the gullies are inactive with a reduction in agriculture; the average growth rate of the heads of gullies does not exceed 0.5 m/year. Channel processes contribute primarily to the redistribution of sediments between adjacent sections of the channel, and their transport to large distances is limited by karst processes and by a significant anthropogenic transformation of the bottoms of the valleys. The annual flow of suspended and transported sediments is a mere 31 000 tons, and the main ablation of material from the system occurs in a dissolved form. In general, the mechanical volume of sediment yield from the system makes up 1%. The rest of material is redistributed in the basin and causes an enhanced accumulation. It is shown that almost half of the sediments is intercepted by large ponds; the rest is accumulated in the bottoms of the valleys in areas with active karst development, on floodplains as well as in talus and proluvial trains. The study determined a general trend in the transformation of the relief as a result of the functioning of the basin implying its planation.

Water availability and state of water resources within water-economic basins in Kazakhstan

Water is one of the most important natural resources. The water availability and scarcity depend on various natural and anthropogenic factors. Based on generalization and analyses of the numerous cartographic materials, and long-term runoff data, the water-economic basins (WEBs) in Kazakhstan were classified in order to identify the basin affected by human activities the most, to show the dynamics of river runoff within Kazakhstan, as well as to estimate the demand for water resources in the WEBs. Additionally, the water availability in the WEBs was determined by share (%) of water resources (rivers, lakes, water reservoirs). The Zhaiyk-Caspian WEB has the highest share (94%) of river water. By water resource (43.8 km3), the Ertis WEB is the most water-rich basin. A significant anthropogenic transformation was observed in the Aral-Syrdarya and Esil WEBs. Both basins are characterized by a deteriorated water quality. Due to natural factors and human activities, the total runoff decreased by 39.4 km3/year (23 km3/year is transboundary and local runoff is 16.5 km3/year) since 1965. Water consumption has decreased to 57% due to reduction of irrigation areas and industrial activities. However, the water consumption has increased by 1.33 and 1.25 km3/year in communal services and other needs due to the population growth. The water demand in Zhaiyk-Caspian WEB is very high and estimated in crisis degree (fourth class). The Balkash-Alakol WEB is characterized by a critical degree of water demand and belongs to the third class of water demand.