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

Abstract

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.