Cite as

Dubrovsky, Yu. 2022. Small inlets of the Dnipro river as centers of biodiversity (on the example of the Azure Zone of Kyiv). GEO&BIO, 23: 87-94. [In Ukrainian, with English summary]

Small inlets of the Dnipro River as centres of biodiversity (on the example of the Azure Zone of Kyiv)

[Малі затоки Дніпра як осередки біорізноманіття (на прикладі Блакитної зони міста Києва)]

doi: https://doi.org/10.15407/gb2308

Yuriy Dubrovsky https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5196-4438

Institute of Evolutionary Ecology, NAS of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine)

pdf:  gb2308-dubrovsky.pdf

Abstract

Individual components of river floodplains can notably differ in terms of their environmental significance. Very little is known about the environmental protection role of small inlets, unlike other components of river floodplains. In this aspect, 10 small inlets of the Azure Zone of Kyiv with an area of 200–260 000 m², a depth of 10–350 cm and a degree of overgrowth of 3–95% were investigated. The research was carried out during the summer–autumn period of 2021. The conservation value of individual bays was assessed both by the values of the total taxonomic richness and by the presence of vertebrate species that are subject to special protection in accordance with current legislation. To determine the total taxonomic richness, an express method previously developed by the author of the article was used. Its detailed description is given in the available publication. In almost half of the examined bays, the index of taxonomic richness of hydrobionts exceeded the probable average values. Vertebrate species subject to special protection according to official documents were found in all bays. Among them, the river otter is included in the Red Book of Ukraine, and the terrapin in the international Red Lists. Each of the studied bays is surrounded by dense aquatic and riparian vegetation, which could not vegetate in the absence of the bay. The presence of developed riparian vegetation not only contributes to the improvement of the ecological regime of water bodies, but also considerably increases their conservation value, because it is densely populated by various groups of animals. Usually, there are not only semi-aquatic and moisture-loving species, but also many other species, including ecologically valuable ones, as well as those subject to special protection. Thus, river bays create habitats not only for aquatic but also for riparian species. Thus, the small inlets of the Azure Zone of Kyiv, despite the significant recreational pressure, play a significant role in maintaining the local diversity of the inhabitants of the river floodplain. In general, the conservation of biodiversity associated with small inlets can be combined with the main forms of their recreational use. After all, the task of preserving natural complexes is fundamentally compatible with measures to improve the health of the population of large cities, since both directions require maintaining the proper state of the environment.

Key word

small inlets, Azure Zone of Kyiv, Dnipro floodplain, biodiversity hotspots, index of taxonomic richness.

Correspondence to

Yuriy Dubrovsky; Institute of Evolutionary Ecology, NAS of Ukraine; 37 Akademika Lebedeva Street, 03143 Ukraine; Email: uvdubr@gmail.com.

Article info

Submitted: 21.11.2022. Accepted: 30.12.2022

References

Azure zone... 1990. Azure zone of Kyiv. Map for anglers. GUGK USSR, Moskva. [In Russian]

Dolinsky, V. L., Y. V. Dubrovsky, L. D. Dubrovskaya. 2004 a. About the biocenotic role of small river bays. Ecological and biological problems of water inlets of the Dnipro river basin (Materials of the International Scientific and Practical Conference, May 7-8, 2004). Novaya Kakhovka, 58–61. [In Russian]

Dolynskyi, V., Y. Dubrovsky, O. Nekrasova. 2004 b. Upper part of the Kaniv Reservoir. The problem of preserving small inlets. Live Ukraine [Zhyva Ukraina]. Ecological magazine, No. 1-3: 20–21. [In Ukrainian]

Dubrovsky, Y. V. 2013. Scientific and nature protection significance of model situations in the development of ecosystems. GISAP: Biology, Veterinary Medicine and Agricultural Sciences (London), № 1: 9–11.

Dubrovsky, Yu. V. 2016. Justification of a rapid method for determining the species richness of small hydro-objects. GISAP: Biology, Veterinary Medicine and Agricultural Sciences (London), № 9: 6–8. https://doi.org/10.18007/gisap:bvmas.v0i9.1349

Ecological... 2005. Ecological state of reservoirs in the city of Kyiv. Phytosocial Center, Kyiv, 1–219. [In Ukrainian]

Ecological... 2010. Ecological condition of Kyiv reservoirs. Fitosociotsentr, Kyiv, 1–256. [In Ukrainian]

Fesenko, H. V., A. A. Bokotey. 2002. Birds of the fauna of Ukraine (field guide). Kyiv, 1–416. [In Ukrainian]

Formozov, A. N. 1951. Tracker satellite. MOIP, Moskva, 1–357. [In Russian]

Godlevska, O., H. Fesenko (Eds). 2010. Fauna of Ukraine: Protective Categories. Handbook. Second ed. Kyiv, 1–80. [In Ukrainian]

Gray, M. 2004. Geodiversyty: valuing and conserving abiotic nature. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., 1–434.

Guide.... 1974. Guide to medical entomology. Medicine, Moskva, 1–360. [In Russian]

Guide.... 1983. Guide to methods of hydrobiological analysis of surface waters and bottom sediments. Hydrometeoizdat, Leningrad, 1–240. [In Russian]

Konstantinov, A. S. 1972. General hydrobiology. M.: Vysshaya shkola, Moskva, 1–472. [In Russian]

Lypin, A. N. 1950. Fresh waters and their life. Uchpedgiz, Moskva, 1–348. [In Russian]

Maltsev, V. I., G. A. Karpova. 1999. Overgrowth of small and artificial reservoirs of Ukraine: Ecological typing and method of visual assessment productivity of higher aquatic plants. Fisheries, 51: 95–103. [In Russian]

Makrushin, A. V. 1974. Biological analysis of water quality. ZIN Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Leningrad, 1–60. [In Russian]

Markovskyi, Yu. M. 1934. Lake Koncha and its zooplankton. Proceedings [Trudy] of the Hydrobiological Station of VUAN, No. 7: 113–157. [In Ukrainian]

Markovskyi, Yu. M. 1935. Lake Koncha and its zooplankton (Continuation). Proceedings [Trudy] Hydrobiological Station of UAN, No. 8–9: 85–215. [In Ukrainian]

Methods... 1975. Methods of studying biogeocenoses of inland reservoirs. Nauka, Leningrad, 1–258. [In Russian]

Promptov, A. N. 1949. Birds in nature. Guide to identifying and studying birds in natural conditions. Uchpedgiz, Leningrad, 1–460. [In Russian]

Red Book... 2009. Red Book of Ukraine. Animal world. Edited by I. A. Akimov. Globalconsulting, Kyiv, 1–624. [In Ukrainian]

Romanenko, O. V., O. M. Arsan, L. S. Kipnis, Yu. M. Sytnyk. 2015. Ecological problems of Kyiv reservoirs and adjacent territories. Naukova dumka, Kyiv, 1–192. [In Ukrainian]

Sabaneev, P. P. 1936. To know the zooplankton of floodplain reservoirs of the basin Dnipro. Proceedings of the hydrobiological station, No. 12. 123–162. [In Ukrainian]

Tsarenko, P. 1999. Reservoirs as centers for preserving the diversity of algae and invertebrates. Development of the eco-network of Ukraine. Kyiv, 65–70. [In Ukrainian]

Woodiwiss, F. S. 1964. The Biological system of stream classification used by the Trent River Board. Chemistry and Industry, 11. 443–447.