PHYTOSOZOLOGICAL VALUE OF A SECTION OF THE VZDVYZHA RIVER AS A POTENTIAL NATURE CONSERVATION SITE

Abstract

Purpose of the work. The purpose of the work is a scientific and ecological substantiation of the efficiency of expanding the local ecological network of the Chernihiv region by establishing a new object of the nature reserve fund – the botanical reserve of local importance «Petrovi Plavni». The study is aimed at determining the sozological value of the macrophyte flora in the small Vzdvyzha river valley, establishing the conservation degree of natural complexes.

Methodology. The study was based on the analysis of scientific information sources and long-term field investigations conducted by the authors using the method of route-floristic and phytocoenotic surveys of the Vzdvyzha river channel and floodplain. As the main criterion for determining the boundaries and nature conservation value of the project, we chose the presence of stable populations of rare and vulnerable plant species, as well as coenoses included in the state protection lists.

Scientific novelty. For the first time, a comprehensive analysis of the ecological potential of coastal-water ecosystems in the middle and lower reaches of the Vzdvyzha river within the Ivanivka territorial community of the Chernihiv region was carried out based on the generalization of rarity phytodiversity. Within the framework of the research, a new locality of the vulnerable species of the Red Data Book of Ukraine Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó was discovered and documented, the state of the Comarum palustre L. coenopopulation was assessed, and the presence of three plant formations from the Green Data Book of Ukraine was verified. Of particular value is the substantiation of preventive measures for the protection of hydrophilic ecotopes, which allows considering the results of the work as a practical basis for expanding the regional nature reserve fund network, conducting ecological monitoring, and making decisions in the field of sustainable nature management and biosecurity conservation of small Polesie rivers.   

Conclusions. A stable floristic core of macrophytes was identified in the floodplain complexes of the studied section of the Vzdvyzha river, with the communities of the formations Nuphareta luteae, Nymphaeeta albae, and Nymphaeeta candidae having the highest sozological weight. Field observations confirm that despite their fragmentation, these coenoses maintain a high recovery potential, but face risks due to hydrological regime disruption. The discovered locality of Dactylorhiza incarnata (15 individuals) and the growth area of Comarum palustre (20 m²) indicate the need for reservation of these territories. It is necessary to establish the «Petrovi Plavni» botanical reserve with an approximate area of 125 hectares to ensure control over the hydrological regime and preventive protection of the rare gene pool.