Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova" Reports

Biosphere Reserve "Askania-Nova": Three Years Under Occupation

2025-01-28T11:40:42+02:00

Biosphere Reserve "Askania-Nova": Three Years Under Occupation

MATERIALS FOR THE STUDY OF LONGHORN BEETLES (COLEOPTERA, CERAMBYCIDAE) OF THE DESNIANSKO-STAROHUTSKYI NATIONAL NATURE PARK AND ITS SURROUNDINGS (SUMY REGION, UKRAINE)

2025-01-28T15:14:19+02:00

The study presents the results of the author's long-term observations (2004–2009) of longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) in the Desniansko-Starohutskyi National Nature Park (DSHNPP) and its surroundings. A total of 52 species were recorded, with an annotated list provided. The longhorn beetle fauna of DSHNPP represents 18.6% of the beetle fauna of Ukraine. The majority of species are common in the Sumy region (78.8%), but 17.3% were recorded only in DSHNPP (Acanthocinus griseus, Aegomorphus clavipes, Anastrangalia reyi, Anastrangalia sanguinolenta, Cortodera femorata, Deilus fugax, Grammoptera ruficornis, Leiopus femoratus, and Lepturalia nigripes). The large natural areas of the DSHNPP allow the existence of rare and poorly distributed species of flora and fauna, including longhorn beetles, highlighting the significant conservation value of the park. The study identifies the most valuable habitats for longhorn beetles. It also lists species found in the more southern areas of Sumy region (a total of 20 species) that may be found in DSHNPP in future years. The study emphasizes the vulnerability of the Cerambycidae family to a range of anthropogenic factors and provides a brief list of these factors, highlighting the extremely negative consequences of the war, which is destroying large areas of natural habitats. Furthermore, it addresses the fallacy of outdated ideology that sanitary felling should be mandatory to prevent forest overgrowth. Measures for nature restoration are listed, which will be relevant once the war ends.

ORNITHOCOMPLEX OF THE CHORNA DOLYNA DEPRESSION: SPECIES DIVERSITY AND QUANTITY

2025-01-28T15:25:00+02:00

The Chorna Dolyna (Black Valley) depressions (Kherson region, Kakhovka district) is one of the mainland depressions of the Dnipro–Molochna interfluve. As a result of surveys (2018–2021) of the bottom and slopes of the depression, 95 species from 15 orders of 34 families were found during nesting, summering, migration and wintering, of which 16 species are included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. The most numerous among the studied species are the ruff Philomachus pugnax, the mallard Anas platyrhynchos, the garganey Anas querquedula, the yellow-legged gull Larus cachinnans, the black-headed gull Larus ridibundus and the starling Sturnus vulgaris.

NEW SPECIES FOR VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE NATIONAL NATURE PARK "HUTSULSHCHYNA"

2025-01-28T15:31:53+02:00

During the implementation of the Nature Chronicle Programme the new species were discovered for the vertebrate fauna of the National Nature Park "Hutsulshchyna". Particular from the class Actinopterygii: Leuciscus idus Linnaeus, 1758; class Aves: Anas crecca Linnaeus, 1758, Anas penelope Linnaeus, 1758, Anas clypeata Linnaeus, 1758, Mergus merganser Linnaeus, 1758; class Mammalia: Pipistrellus kuhlii Kuhl, 1819 and Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838. Among the identified species, two are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine: Leuciscus idus and Pipistrellus kuhlii. Particular attention should be paid to the presence of Cervus nippon in the national park, which may lead to hybridization with the Carpathian subspecies of Cervus elaphus.

VEGETATION SYNTAXONOMY OF THE CENTER FOR RESTORATION AND CONSERVATION OF ECOSYSTEMS "KASOVA HORA"

2025-01-28T12:46:46+02:00

This article is dealing with the syntaxonomy of vegetation of the Center for Restoration and Conservation of Ecosystems (CRCE) "Kasova Hora" (71 ha), created in 2023 on the part of the Kasova Hora tract that was not included in the Halytskyi National Nature Park. The purpose of the study is to assess the level of vegetation diversity and to establish a syntaxonomical scheme for the area of CRCE "Kasova Hora" as a basis for recommendations on differentiated management and forthcoming monitoring, and for evaluation of the effectiveness of protective efforts. The study was conducted in June 2023. It was found that the vegetation of the studied area is diverse and differentiated according to geomorphological and edapho-hydrological conditions, and land use practices in the past. Jointly, 10 associations and 1 community belong to the 8 alliances, 8 orders, and 7 vegetation classes are noticed here. Meadow-steppe vegetation is represented by the two associations of the alliance Cirsio-Brachypodion pinnati Hadač et Klika in Klika et Hadač 1944. On the gypsum outcrops, the community from the order Stipo pulcherrimae-Festucetalia pallentis Pop 1968 is observed. Thermophilous edges of the alliance Geranion sanguinei Tx. in T. Müller 1962 are represented by the three associations. Mesophitic hay meadows belong to the one association of the Arrhenatherion elatioris Luquet 1926 alliance. Shrub thickets of the Berberidion vulgaris Br.-Bl. ex Tx. 1952 alliance are attributed to the one association. Synanthropic vegetation of the Arction lappae Tx. 1937 and Senecionion fluviatilis Tx. ex Moor 1958 alliances are represented by the two associations. In wet depressions, the one association of the alliance Phragmition communis Koch 1926 is noticed. As a result of the cessation of the traditional management practices, a significant transformation of the vegetation cover is observed, which consists of overgrowth with shrubs and the spread of rhizomatous herbaceous species. In order to preserve and maintain the desired state of the meadow steppes vegetation of the CRCE "Kasova Hora", it is necessary to develop a differentiated regime of protective measures and efforts for different types of plant communities.

FEATURES OF VEGETATION RESTORATION ON MILITARY FORTIFICATIONS IN THE CHORNOBYL RADIATION AND ECOLOGICAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE

2025-01-28T12:56:35+02:00

One of the most significant consequences of the military impact on the natural ecosystems of the Nature Reserve Fund, which causes changes in phytodiversity, is the construction of fortifications. Studying of the peculiarities of such changes and the processes of vegetation restoration in areas damaged by military operations is extremely relevant. The purpose of this study is to record the current state of the phytobiota and explore succession changes in vegetation cover in areas with microrelief disturbances due to the construction of fortifications on the territory of the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve. It was established that the primitive fortifications located on the territory of the Chornobyl Reserve have been experiencing an increase in plant species diversity over the past three years (from 140 species of vascular plants in 2022 to 184 species in 2023 and 191 species in 2024). The most species-rich families were Asteraceae and Poaceae. In terms of geographical distribution, species of disturbed habitats in the study area mainly belong to the Holarctic range type (83 species, 59.3%), i.e. they are widespread. At the present stage of research, the flora of these new formations is formed mainly by annuals, biennials, and perennials. Gradually, the composition of the dominants of these communities is changing, their herbaceous base is strengthening, and there is a wide dispersal of ligneous biomorphs from communities adjacent to these areas. Based on the analysis of the ecological and coenotic structure of the flora of these new formations, we found the predominance of synanthropic species among the main groups (up to 58.8%), with a significant proportion of alien taxa (14.1%). We predict a further increase in the diversity of plant species on military fortifications, with changes in the composition of communities and an increase in the number of invasive species. Further research will allow us to study the next stages of the succession processes of these landscape formations.

MONITORING PLOTS OF GRASSLAND VEGETATION ON THE TERRITORY OF THE CHORNOBYL RADIATION AND ECOLOGICAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE

2025-01-28T14:10:46+02:00

The paper presents the factual data on biodiversity plots surveyed according to the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG) methodology, sampled in natural grassland and psammophytic communities, as well as old fallow land on the place of such communities in the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve in June 2024. A total of 8 plots were surveyed. Two of them represent natural meadows, one represents natural sandy grasslands, three plots were surveyed on old fallow lands that were arable land in place of continental meadows before 1986, and two plots were surveyed on sands that represent an advanced stage of overgrowth of former arable land. Each plot is accompanied by a header data and a complete floristic list. The presence of species is indicated for plots of 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 m2, and the percentage cover for plots of 10 and 100 m2. A comparative analysis of the plots in terms of the total species richness, the number of species of vascular plants, as well as bryophytes, lichens and insects, was carried out, the proportion of economic groups and life forms of species in the communities, and the level of their adventitiousness were analyzed. We also outlines the prospects of implementation the presented inventories for monitoring and predicting the restoration of grassland vegetation.

ECOMORPHIC ANALYSIS OF VEGETATION COVER OF TECHNOSOLS OF NIKOPOL MANGANESE ORE BASIN

2025-01-28T14:39:00+02:00

The study presents data on the biodiversity of vegetation cover on technosols, which developed as a result of long term land reclamation after open cast mining. An ecomorphic approach was used to analyze the ecological structure of plant communities, revealing a high level of species richness. The taxonomic composition of the flora mirrors the typical structures of the regional flora. In terms of ecomorphology, steppe and ruderal ecomorphs dominate the communities. The study also evaluates the conditions of humidity, trophicity, and illumination of edaphotopes based on the ecomorphic structure of the plant communities.

ANTHROPOGENIC TRANSFORMATION AND ADVENTIZATION OF HERBACEOUS VEGETATION IN THE PRUT AND SIRET RIVER BASINS

2025-01-28T14:44:29+02:00

The study presents the results of research on the adventization state of natural herbaceous vegetation within the Prut and Siret river basins. Based on the analysis of species diversity in the regionʹs herbaceous communities (2736 geobotanical releves) and literature sources, 101 alien plant species from 94 genera, 36 families, and 2 divisions were identified in the cenoflora composition. This accounts for 8.5% of the total species forming the herbaceous communities of the Prut and Siret basins. The leading families in the alien flora spectrum include Asteraceae (21.7%), Brassicaceae (13.7%), Fabaceae (9.2%), Poaceae (7.6%), and Lamiaceae (7.6%). The genera spectrum is less distinct: Vicia ranks first with 5 species, followed by Lamium with 3 species, while six genera have 2 species each, and 86 genera are represented by a single species. In terms of origin, Mediterranean (41%), European (12%), Irano-Turanian (12%), and North American (11%) species dominate. The distribution of alien species by the degree of naturalization indicates a significant prevalence of epecophytes (69%) and agriphytes (19%). Three highly active invasive species were identified within the alien fraction of the herbaceous vegetationʹs cenoflora: Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Cardaria draba (L.) Desv., and Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl. Additionally, six transformer species were found: Elaeagnus angustifolia L., Heracleum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier, Phalacroloma annuum (L.) Dumort., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Rudbeckia laciniata L., and Solidago canadensis L. The modified destruction coefficient was calculated, indicating that the studied herbaceous vegetation communities in the Prut and Siret basins are at the initial stages of adventization. The biomorphological structure of the alien cenoflora fraction was assessed. Analysis of the quantitative parameters of the biomorph structure in the native and alien fractions of the regional herbaceous vegetation cenoflora revealed a direct correlation between the quantitative indicators of specific life forms of native species within the communities and the proportion of alien species. These findings can be used for predicting and forecasting potential invasions of alien plants into herbaceous communities.

TRANSFORMATION OF RELEVÉS INTO LONG DATA FORMAT USING PYTHON PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

2025-01-28T15:02:31+02:00

This article presents methodological principles for transforming relevés into Long Data Format following Darwin Core standards using Python programming language in the development environment PyCharm. For the first time for Ukraine, a specialized Python script has been developed that implements these methodological approaches. The detailed instructions for installing the software and the necessary libraries, as well as data preparation, are provided. We also outline the advantages and disadvantages of using Python compared to the R programming language in this context. The main advantages of automating processes are highlighted: code execution speed, scalability, repeatability, error minimization and data management efficiency compared to the manual method of data conversion. The practical recommendations for researchers involved in relevés datasets processing are provided. The development of scripts for relevés datasets and their implementation will facilitate the preservation and integration of research results in Open Access, including publishing through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

TAXONOMIC STRUCTURE OF THE MYCOBIOTA OF THE KAMENYSTYI PROTECTED AREA (NATIONAL NATURE PARK "HUTSULSHCHYNA")

2025-01-28T12:39:04+02:00

The article is dedicated to investigating of mycobiota in the Kamenystyi protected area (National Nature Park "Hutsulshchyna"). An analysis of the taxonomic structure of the studied areaʹs myco-biota has been conducted. A total of 251 species of fungi from 132 genera, 62 families, 17 orders, 5 classes, and 2 divisions of the Fungi kingdom were recorded. Among them, 9 species are included in the Red Book of Ukraine. The fungi in the studied area belong to orders Аscomycota and Basidiomycota. Among the Ascomycota fungi, 22 species from 17 genera, 14 families, 6 orders, and 3 classes were identified, while among the Basidiomycota, there were 229 species from 115 genera, 48 families, 11 orders, and 2 classes. The class Agaricomycetes was the most abundant in terms of species diversity with 228 species, followed by Pezizomycetes with 12 species, Leotiomycetes, and Sordariomycetes with 5 species each, and Dacrymycetes with only 1 species. An analysis of the taxonomic structure demonstrates the prevalence of four orders: Agaricales (124 species, 49.4% of the total species), Russulales (43, 17.1%), and Polyporales (23, 9.2%); 15 families: Russulaceae (34, 13.5%), Agaricaceae (16, 6.4%), Mycenaceae (14, 5.6%), Boletaceae, Polyporaceae (13 each, 5.2%), Cortinariaceae (12, 4.8%), Hydnaceae, Psathyrellaceae, Strophariaceae (8 each, 3.2%), Amanitaceae, Omphalotaceae (7 each, 2.8%), Hygrophoraceae, Inocybaceae, Marasmiaceae (6 each, 2.4%), Tricholomataceae (5, 2%); and 19 genera: Russula – 18 species (7.2%), Lactarius – 16 species (6.4%), Mycena – 14 species (5.6%), Cortinarius – 12 species (4.8%), Amanita – 7 species (2.8%), Clitocybe, Coprinopsis, Hygrophorus, Pluteus, Marasmius, Trametes, Tricholoma – 4 species each (1.6%), Cantharellus, Clavulina, Gymnopus, Hericium, Lycoperdon, Peziza, Pholiota – 3 species each (1,2%).

100 YEARS OF THE STUDY OF LICHENS AND LICHENICOLOUS FUNGI IN THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE "ASKANIA NOVA"

2025-01-28T12:42:08+02:00

According to the results of the critical analysis of the sources and herbarium specimens (KW, KHER) 145 species-level taxa (133 of the lichens and 12 species of lichenicolous fungi) have been registered within the territory of the Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova" between 1924 and 2024. Thus, 133 species of lichens and lichenicolous fungi were found in the arboretum and zoo. In comparison 30 species of lichens have been reported for the reserve steppe, with 12 species found exclusively in the reserve steppe. We have confirmed the identification of Thalloidima massatum, the only specimen from Ukraine, collected from the Askania Nova steppe in 1924 by A.M. Oxner. According to IUCN criteria, the lichen corresponds to the status of RE (Regionally Extinct). Observations spanning the last century indicate the disappearance of a complex of terricolous species adapted to arid environments in the reserve steppe. These include species such as Caloplaca stillicidiorum s. lat., Thalloidima massatum, Peltigera didactyla, Psora decipiens (single records in 1924), Xanthoparmelia camtschadalis, X. pokornyi (no record after 1991). This is also due to establishing strict protection regime in the steppe, which prohibits grazing. While this regime protects the steppe ecosystem in general, it creates unfavorable conditions for terricolous lichens. On the other hand, over the 130-year history of the arboretum, with artificial rocky substrates and an artificial irrigation system, there has been an increase in the species composition of lichens and lichenicolous fungi of the transformed steppe landscape by almost 5 times compared to the protected steppe areas. Silvification of the buffer zone and the transition area affects the protected area, enriching lichen species composition by pioneering epiphytic species.

IN MEMORY OF IGOR KOSTYANTYNOVYCH POLISHCHUK (20.04.1952, RIVNE – 9.03.2024, ASKANIA NOVA): BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH AND BIBLIOGRAPHY OF A FAMOUS THERIOLOGIST AND CONSERVATIONIST

2025-01-28T15:44:47+02:00

IN MEMORY OF IGOR KOSTYANTYNOVYCH POLISHCHUK (20.04.1952, RIVNE – 9.03.2024, ASKANIA NOVA): BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH AND BIBLIOGRAPHY OF A FAMOUS THERIOLOGIST AND CONSERVATIONIST

IN MEMORY OF MYKHAILO IVANOVYCH BEREZHNYI (OCTOBER 24, 1924 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021): BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF AN OUTSTANDING BOTANIST AND FOREST SCIENTIST AND BIBLIOGRAPHY ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH

2025-01-28T15:49:18+02:00

IN MEMORY OF MYKHAILO IVANOVYCH BEREZHNYI (OCTOBER 24, 1924 – NOVEMBER 26, 2021): BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF AN OUTSTANDING BOTANIST AND FOREST SCIENTIST AND BIBLIOGRAPHY ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS BIRTH

RESULTS OF BREEDING OF THE TURKMENIAN KULAN EQUUS HEMIONUS KULAN IN THE TARUTINO STEPPE

2025-01-28T15:35:24+02:00

The results of research of breeding of the Turkmenian kulan in the Tarutino Steppe (the landscape preserve in Odesa re-gion) are presented. It is a subspecies of kulan (Asian wild ass), a rare species of Equuides listed in the IUCN Red List. The territory of the Tarutino Steppe and the future National Nature Park "Budzhatski Steppes" is characterized. The reasons for the introduction of Turkmenian kulans into the Tarutino Steppe and the conditions of their maintenance are described. The characteristics of the brought kulans are given. The dynamics of the number and birth rate of animals and the causes of their deaths are presented. The ethological features of kulans in the Tarutino Steppe, their movement on the territory and formation of groups are characterized.

FACTORS INFLUENCED THE DYNAMICS OF THE DEERS CERVIDAE OFFSPRING NUMBERS IN THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE "ASKANIA NOVA"

2025-01-28T15:39:33+02:00

The article presents the results of studies of the dynamics of the number of red deer Cervus elaphus, sika deer C. nippon, European fallow deer Dama dama and Père Davidʹs deer Elaphurus davidianus, which are bred in the Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova". The results of the analysis of the factors influencing the number of offspring are presented and the main reasons for the death of deer fawns (newborns and young animals) in the herds of the studied species are analyzed. Cervus elaphus and C. nippon are characterized by an extended breeding season in semi-free conditions in the reserve. Most often, newborns died during the period of mass calving: Cervus elaphus and C. nippon in June–September, and Dama dama in July–August. The proportions of young animals that died during this period (of the total number of losses) reached 71.4, 79.5, and 60.0%, respectively, for Cervus elaphus, C. nippon, and Dama dama. A pronounced seasonality of breeding was observed in the Père Davidʹs deer Elaphurus davidianus: 89.6% of calving occurred in March–April. In the first 1–5 days, the death of fawns amounted to 43.8% of their total losses, and in 10–14 days of age – 12.5%.

RESULTS OF REMOTE MONITORING OF WILDFIRES IN THE NATURAL CORE OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE "ASKANIA NOVA"

2025-01-28T11:43:34+02:00

A historical analysis of wildfires and identification of burned areas in the natural core of the Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova" (Kherson region, Ukraine) was carried out using images from Landsat-1, 3, 5, 7 satellites (1974–2015) and the Sentinel-2 satellite constellation (2015–November 2024); 322 images were processed in total. The obtained materials are consistent with the data from long-term field surveys of the steppe. A generalized interactive wildfire map with a detailed quarterly differentiation of burned areas has been developed. During the 50-year monitoring period, 47 wildfire events with a burned area of more than 1 ha were registered, resulting in 26884.1 ha of steppe being burned, with an average wildfire frequency of 0.9 per year. The largest number of wildfires occurred in the summer and autumn seasons – 76.1 and 17.4%, respectively. The main cause of wildfires was anthropogenic – 55.3% (including deliberate arson). Wildfires caused by lightning strikes accounted for 25.5% of the total; the causes of 19.1% of wildfires remained unclear. The highest times burned territory (eight times during the study period) was only 2.7 ha (0.02% of the total burned area). The steppe lands that have never burned during the study period consisted of 1381.1 ha (12.6% of the total), whereas most of the territory (8534.3 ha or 77.5%) was occupied by areas that have burned from 1 to 4 times. Among three isolated sub-cores, the largest burned area fell within the southern sub-core (63.8%). Given the high frequency and the large areas of wildfires, the pyrogenic factor has a large-scale impact on the current state and succession changes of the Askanian steppe ecosystems.

TROPHOTOPIC CONNECTIONS OF CRANE-LIKE BIRDS (GRUIFORMES) WITH THE AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE IN THE REGION OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE "ASKANIA NOVA"

2025-01-28T11:52:09+02:00

It was established that from the 1830s to 2022, 13 species of crane-like birds were registered in the region in various variants of their presence, among which only two species – the common crane Grus grus and the bustard Otis tarda – havily depend on agrocenoses. The development of irrigation systems on the Left Bank of the Kherson region since the mid-1950s and, particularly, in the 1970s and 1980s radically changed the food base of the common crane and bustard and contributed to the formation of their mass aggregations during migration and wintering. Daily movements of common cranes from their roosting site to the agricultural landscape reach 40 km. The modern agricultural landscape of the biosphere reserve region plays an important role for Eastern European populations of common cranes, assuring the accumulation of energy resources necessary for flights across the Black Sea, as well as after returning from wintering sites for further migration to nesting sites. Large clusters of common cranes can significantly affect the density of winter and early grain crops. Thus, cranes thin out grain crops by 30 percent or more, depending on the number and time of stay. The bustard, compared to the common crane, does not create a similar load on agrophytocenoses and does not affect yield. The use of rodenticides by farmers in the winter of 2020/21 against mouse-like rodents led to the death of 902 common cranes in the region, of which 686 died in places where they spent the night on the territory of the biosphere reserve. Following the example of the Kherson Regional State Administration, which decided to ban the use of chemical rodenticides in the region of a scientific nature protection institution of international importance within a radius of 40 km from the night gathering places, similar measures should be implemented for the entire Azov-Black Sea migration corridor.

PROPOSED NATURE RESERVES AROUND THE VILLAGE OF OBUKHOVYCHI, VYSHGOROD DISTRICT, KYIV REGION

2025-01-28T11:57:32+02:00

This article presents the results of field research conducted in 2023–2024 in the Kyiv region, specifically in the vicinity of the villages Obukhovychi and Stanishivka, as well as within the boundaries of the Obukhovychi and Zherev forestries. The studyʹs primary goal was to identify and explore ecologically valuable areas with the potential for establishing new protected areas. During the study, eight field expeditions were carried out, resulting in the compilation of 20 floristic lists using the Vegapp application, the creation of a GBIF data set containing 828 records for 322 species of vascular plants, and the documentation of 3,535 observations of 693 species in iNaturalist. Additionally, bee samples were collected for analysis at the National Scientific Center "P.I. Prokopovych Beekeeping Institute". Based on the research findings, the creation of ten new protected areas is proposed. These include three local landscape reserves: "Zinchyna Loza" (13 ha), encompassing the eponymous herbaceous wetland and surrounding forests; "Ninovychi" (37 ha), which incorporates three adjacent herbaceous wetlands; and "Dolyna pamiati Maksyma Kozachyny" (114 ha), featuring the floodplain and pine terrace of the Murava River. The proposed sites also include seven local botanical natural monuments: "Dibrova na rozi" (5 ha), characterized by old-growth oak and pine stands; "Stanishivskyi Kurhan" (0.2 ha), comprising a burial mound with a 10-meter protective zone and three old oak trees. In addition, the protection of five ancient oak trees is recommended: "Stanishivskyi Dub" with a trunk circumference of 5.0 m; "Hrabskiy Dub" with a trunk circumference of 4.39 m in the Hrabske area; "Dub-Vulyk" with a trunk circumference of 3.7 m, which harbors rare Polissian dark bees; "Kuzmaʹs Oak" with a trunk circumference of 3.1 m in the Ninovychi area; and "Zinchyn Dub" with a trunk circumference of 3.69 m in the Horodyshche area. The proposed protected areas are expected to safeguard populations of 27 rare plant, animal, and fungal species. These include plant species such as Dactylorhiza incarnata, Epipactis helleborine, E. palustris, Lilium martagon, Neottia nidus-avis, Platanthera bifolia, P. chlorantha (Red Data Book of Ukraine), Calla palustris, Digitalis grandiflora, Lycopodium clavatum, Polemonium caeruleum, and Veratrum lobelianum (Red List of Kyiv Region). A notable fungal species, Grifola frondosa (Red Data Book of Ukraine), as well as rare animal species such as Alces alces, Anax imperator, Bombus pomorum, Castor fiber, and Catocala fraxini (Red Data Book of Ukraine) and Emys orbicularis, Lacerta agilis, Rana arvalis (Annex 2 of the Bern Convention), were also identified. Establishing the proposed protected areas is of great importance for preserving the regionʹs biodiversity.

HABITATS OF THE DNIPRO RIVER VALLEY BEFORE THE CREATION AND AFTER THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE KAKHOVKA RESERVOIR

2025-01-28T12:22:45+02:00

This article examines the current state of habitats within the territory of the former Kakhovka Reservoir. Based on field data, we have determined the composition of the habitat diversity that has emerged following the reservoirʹs demise. A reconstruction of the prereservoir habitats in this area was conducted using historical sources. Six main habitat groups were identified, encompassing a total of 36 habitat types that existed in this area at different times. Of these, at least 32 types were present before the flooding, 12 of which were observed during the 2023–2024 growing seasons. Additionally, at least five habitat types appear to be new to the area and were likely absent before the reservoirʹs creation. The results of this research provide deeper insights into natural succession processes under current conditions and facilitate predictions regarding future habitat development in the lands of the former reservoir.

PRE-OCCUPATION STATUS OF HABITATS IN THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE "ASKANIA NOVA": INVENTORY AND MAPPING USING REMOTE SENSING AND MACHINE LEARNING

2025-01-28T12:28:31+02:00

Mapping habitats is an essential component of assessing the condition of natural ecosystems. However, accomplishing this task using traditional field methods requires extensive human efforts and financial resources. An alternative is remote habitat mapping using satellite imagery and classification algorithms. In the context of war and the temporary occupation of parts of Ukraine, remote habitat mapping often becomes the only feasible method to obtain a snapshot of ecosystem conditions. We developed a habitat classification scheme for the territory of the Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova" (Kherson region, Ukraine) based on the national classification system, with certain modifications and refinements that account for the land use forms and practices specific to that area. Using field survey data collected within the Reserve before the temporary occupation, combined with image segmentation methods and supervised classification of Sentinel-2 satellite data, we composed detailed habitat maps for the entire Reserve (including the natural core, buffer, and anthropogenic landscape zones). The results demonstrate that the prevalent habitat types include continuous croplands (both rainfed and irrigated), true forb-bunchgrass and bunchgrass steppes of the steppe zone, fallow or recently abandoned arable lands, and temporary saline wetlands in depressions of the steppe zone (pody). Integrating direct earth observation data with derived metrics reflecting the phenology of plant communities proved highly effective for habitat mapping. Object-based and pixel-based classifications provided equally fair results, although object-based methods minimised issues of class interference caused by misclassification of individual pixels (the "salt-and-pepper problem"). The open-source scripts in R and Python, provided as supplementary materials, ensure the reproducibility of this method in other areas. The resulting maps represent a reliable snapshot of the pre-occupation state of the Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova" habitats and serve as a spatially explicit foundation for their future monitoring and change detection.

MAPPING THE DISTRIBUTION OF RARE PLANT SPECIES IN THE NATURAL CORE OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE "ASKANIA NOVA" USING GIS METHODS

2025-01-28T12:34:32+02:00

The article presents the results of a study on mapping the distribution of rare plant species within the natural core of the Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova" using geographic information systems (GIS). Approaches to data collection and integration from field surveys, herbarium collections, scientific publications, and online databases (UkrBIN, iNaturalist, GBIF) are described. Maps were made using QGIS and MapInfo software, along with multi-layer electronic maps at a 1:200000 scale. The natural core area was divided into a grid of 1 km² squares, and individual cartographic layers were developed for each of the 42 rare species. The prepared point maps illustrate the spatial distribution of species within the reserve, enabling population status assessment. The study highlights the potential of GIS for biodiversity monitoring and assessing the impact of military operations on biodiversity, which is an important step in quantifying the damage caused and developing a strategy for the natural eco-system restoration in the steppe region.