Degradation risks and prospects for valley and river landscapes conservation in east Podilsk Transnistria (on the example of the Nemiya river)

The territory of the Nemia River basin belongs to the hydrological region of Transnistrian Podillia is characterized by a high density of the river network (0.5-0.6 km/km²) [Khilchevskyi, 2021]. This is explained on the one hand by the fact that the sources of many rivers are located here (in particular, the left tributaries of the Dniester), and on the other hand by the deep cut of the rivers and numerous springs that feed small streams. The area of the pool is 411 km². The total length of the river is 64 km.

At present, the anthropogenic impact on the Nemia River valley is typical for the rivers of Middle Transnistria. The water resources of the Nemia River are used for water supply, partly for irrigation. And the Transnistrian part is used for recreation. Fish breeding and construction of hydropower facilities are practiced. In particular, there are 14 abandoned hydroelectric power stations in the middle and lower reaches of the Nemia (4 of them are under reconstruction).

Valuable natural complexes are located on the slopes of the Nemia Valley. As well as within its water protection zone and coastal protection strips of ecological restoration of the Dniester River on both sides of the Nemia estuary. They are valuable from the nature conservation point of view and have been under protection since the 20^th century.

In particular, to the south of the village Ozaryntsi is the Proterozoic Sandstones geological monument of local importance (Fig. 1). Near the village of Nemia is the geological natural monument of national importance "Mohylivskaya World Outcrop" (Fig. 1). At a distance of 2 to 5 km from them, there are a number of botanical reserves of local importance: "Gryhorivska Gora", "Bronnytska Gora", "Kryshtoforivska Gora", "Zvenyacha Dolina", "Bernashivskyi". To the east, at a distance of 6 km, there is a landscape reserve of national importance "Grabarkivskyi" [Hudzevich, 2002].

A valuable plot with the prospect of bequeathing is the tract "Ozarinetska Gora". It is a combination of forested territory with unforested steep slopes of the banks and valley of the Nemiya River in the vicinity of the village Nemiya (Fig. 1). The area of this site is 1 ha [Horbnyak, 2013]. The slopes of the northwestern exposure are sometimes covered with steppe vegetation. From the Red Book of Ukraine (2009), the following grow here: pheasant's eye Adonis vernalis (L.), white spanish broom Chamaecytisus albus (Hacq.) Rothm. (L.) Mill., hairy feathergrass Stipa capillata (L.).

Regionally rare plant species of the Vinnytsia region are also noted here [Andrienko, Peregrym, 2012]: italian aster Aster amellus (L.), snowdrop anemone Anemone sylvestris (L.), whitish hyacinth Hyacinthella leucophaea (C. Koch) Schur, Spring primrose Primula veris (L.), podolsky garlic Allium podolicum (Aschers. et Graebn) Blocki ex Racib which are represented in the corresponding biotopes (E2.231). Xerotic groups on loess deposits (Etytrigia intermedia, Bromopsis inermis) are represented in biotopes F3.12. Xerophilic low-growing thickets of Prunion fruticosae are represented in biotopes E2.111. The Brachypodium pinnatum group on fresh and dry rendzins and chernozems are represented in biotopes E2.112. The Carekh humilis group of the Central European type is represented in biotopes on dry, carbonate-enriched turf-carbonate soils or rendzins.

In addition, valuable plant groups that are included in the Green Book of Ukraine (2009) grow here: Caricetum (humilis) festucosum (valesiacae), Seslerietum (heufleranae) teucriosum (chamaedryis), Stipetum (capillatae) brachypodiosum (pinnati). The high scientific and phytosozological value of the plant cover of the tract and the facts of threats (uprooting, digging, trampling of plants, burning of the plant cover) were revealed. Taking this into account, conservationists proposed the need to take it under protection in the status of a botanical reserve of local importance as early as 2013 [Horbnyak, 2013].

There are currently no direct threats to "Ozarynetsk Mountain" as a promising territory for inheritance. However, in the future it may become an object of trepel development. At least this, as one of the promising areas, is mentioned in the "Report on the State of the Environment in the Vinnytsia Region (2016)", prepared by the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Vinnytsia Regional State Administration. "A number of teprel deposits were discovered in the region, most of which can be developed only underground (tunnels). Explored trepel reserves of the Shlishkovetsky deposit 1000 m³, "Slobodska Gora" 456 thousand m³, Nemiyskogo 232 thousand m³, Nemiyskogo - 2 500 thousand m³, Hrushkinsky 188 thousand m³, "Ozarinetska Gora" 15 thousand m³, Israelivskyi 14 thousand m³. Estimated resources of aspen on the northern outskirts of Mogilev-Podilskyi are estimated at 2.4 million m³, Shlyshkovetsky deposit 4.5 million m³, Slobidska Gora 6 million m³. The thickness of the trepel layer is from 2 to 3 to 5 to 7 m. It is a relatively soft (at the level of chalk hardness) and quite stable rock, as evidenced by the fact of its well-preserved voluminous cellars. In some areas, it is possible to extract highquality trepel by an open method" [Report ..., 2020, p. 111].

It should be noted that "Ozarynetska Gora", as well as the territory bordering the villages of Ozaryntsy and Nemia along the valley of the Nemia river, has recently been within the boundaries of the valuable Liadova-Murafa wetland. This wetland area was initially formed with the aim of preserving wetland ecosystems and the species composition of wetland bird species.

Ramsar site No. 2387 Liadova-Murafa was officially established by the decision of the Ramsar Committee dated 04/04/2019 (Fig. 1). The total area of land covering the territory from the village of Lyadova to Cape Yampil is 5394.28 hectares. The protected territory with international status included the botanical reserve "Lyadivsky" and part of the territory of the regional landscape park "Dniester" [Report ..., 2020, p. 111].

According to the Ramsar site, the territory of Liadova-Murafa is important for the preservation of species diversity of fauna and flora. The plant world includes more than 300 species of vascular plants. In particular, 13 types of plants growing on the territory of the land are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. More than 30 species of fish can be found in the waters of the area. More than 40 species of mammals, 10 species of amphibians and 6 species of reptiles live here. Of which 16 animal species are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. Also, 30 species are listed in the IUCN Red List. During migrations, stops for food and molting, up to 24,000 birds can be observed here.

Territorially, VBU Liadova-Murafa is a constit uent part of the regional landscape park "Dniester". Since the boundaries of the Dniester park have not yet been established in nature, and the boundaries of wetlands of international importance are not provided for by legislation, this creates certain difficulties in agreeing on directions for nature use.

Fig. 1. The research territory of the lower reaches of the Nemia river basin

At the same time, the lower course of the Nemia River in the section between the village of Ozaryntsi and the town of Mohyliv-Podilskyi is part of the Liadova-Murafa object of the Emerald Network (Ukrainian translation of the name the Emerald Network). It consists of a section of the Dniester River with its tributaries and forested areas along the river valley (Fig. 1). The territory has very characteristic steep banks, which were created as a result of the formation of marine sediments 420 million years ago. It is an important breeding ground for 106 bird species and 146 migratory species that stop at this site for feeding and moulting. This nature conservation object is especially important for the following species: mallard Anas platyrhynchos, simply goldeneye Bucephala clangula, mute swan Cygnus olor and tufted pochard Aythya fUligula. It also contains over 30 species of fish, over 40 species of mammals, ten species of amphibians and six reptiles.

In the future, a management plan will be developed for each of the territories of the Emerald network in order to preserve each of the species and habitats present on its territory. Therefore, an inventory of Liadova-Murafa biodiversity and its monitoring is urgently needed. Field expedition research of the territory of Middle Transnistria, conducted by the authors of the publication with colleagues during 2017-2022, was aimed at the development of a local and regional econetwork of Transnistria [Hudzevych et al., 2021]. Among other things, they carried out this mission, covering the lower reaches of the Nemia River valley.

The territory of the biodiversity inventory is almost completely consistent with the northern part of the Liadova-Murafa site of the same name for two nature conservation networks of international importance: Emerald and Ramsar sites. At present, it is a combination of the natural-anthropogenic and manmade landscape of the Nemys valley-river system. It is located 5 km north of Mogilev-Podilskyi and 2 km southeast of the village of Ozaryntsi. In the east, it is adjoined by reserve lands (land plots of each category of land, which are not provided for ownership or use by citizens or legal entities).

Slopes disturbed by mining operations are the result of their long-term (at least half a century) arbitrary artisanal development (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. "Walls" tracts of the Nemia Valley after long-term arbitrary development of sandstones

They cover an area of almost 12.0 hectares. Currently, as we noted above, they are promising for the production of construction rubble and rubble stone in the Ozaryntsi-2 section of the Ozarynetsko-Nemiyskoye deposit.

The tree and tree-shrub vegetation with the richest species composition is fragmentarily represented only on the northern outskirts of the studied area (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3. Steppe grasses and shrubs on the unplowed slopes of the right bank of Nemia

Instead, the natural alluvial slope (overflood terrace) at the site of the 25-meter water protection strip of the Nemiya River was completely destroyed almost to the level of the shoreline in the southern part of the deposit by spontaneous activity (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4. Bottom pit landscape at the site of the coastal protection zone of the Nemia River

This causes significant damage to the environment. This riparian slope needs artificial restoration in the form of a riparian dike (embankment) for protection, primarily to prevent siltation of the riverbed and from the harmful effects of toxic chemicals used on adjacent agricultural lands, which have already been transferred to private ownership.

The complex geomorphological structure of the area and the presence of heterogeneous forms of the relief character determine a rather colorful vegetation cover and a variety of settlements. Their groupings quite sensitively indicate a change in living conditions. Currently, among the dominant biotopes, whose codes and names are given according to the National Biotope Catalog of Ukraine [Kuzemko et al., 2018], the following are presented:

• B4.1.2 Coastal grassy thickets along watercourses

• Д1.2.3 Eastern European mesophilic eutrophic broad-leaved forests of the forest-steppe and steppe zones

• T2.2.1 Mesophytic meadows of pasture use (plain pastures)

• Ч8 Psammophytic shrub communities

• Ч4.1 Mesophilic and xeromesophilic shrubs

• C1.1.1 Biotopes of annual xerophytic cereals on roadsides and abandoned lands

• C1.1.2 Biotopes of ruderal juveniles on poor soils

• C1.2.1 Ruderal biotopes of perennial grasses on poor soils

• C1.2.2 Ruderal biotopes of perennial grasses of the nitrophilous type

• C1.2.3 Biotopes of thermophilic perennial grasses

• C1.2.4 Trampled places

• C3.5 Anthropogenic outcrops and dumps without vegetation.

Almost half of the territory consists of ruderal biotopes (C1.1.1, C1.2.1 and C1.1.2), where the total projective coverage of spontaneous vegetation ranges from 20 to 75%. Biotopes adjacent to them are C3.5 (Anthropogenic outcrops and dumps without vegetation) and C1.2.4 (Trampled places). They mainly represent the eastern and southern slopes-walls in the central part of the territory designed for mining activities. This territory is represented by quarries of spontaneously organized activity.

The inverted slope of the northern part of the territory adjacent to the floodplain of the Nemi River and the northwestern sections of the same neighborhood are represented by several biotopes (D1.2.3 Eastern European mesophilic eutrophic broad-leaved forests of the forest-steppe and steppe zones, Ч.8 Psammophytic shrub communities, Ч.4.1 Mesophilic and xeromesophilic shrubs). It forms dense thickets consisting of blackthorn Prunus spinosa (L.), common hawthorn Crataegus monogyna (Jacg.) and dog rose Rosa canina (L.). Between them there are companions: field maple Acer campestre (L.), ash-leaved maple Acer negundo (L.), European wild pear Pyrus communis subsp. Pyraster (L.), Crab Apple Malus sylvestris (Mil.). Including the shrub in the composition: black locust Robinia pseudoacacia (L.), oleaster Elaeagnus angustifolia (L.), elderberry Sambucus nigra (L.). Shrubs alternate in links (25% companion, 75% shrubs). European dewberry Rubus caesius (L.) and common dogwood Cornus sanguinea (L.) bushes are occasionally added. Closer to the water, goat willow Salix caprea (L.) and grey willow Salix cinerea (L.), white poplar Populus alba and black poplar Populus nigra (L.), less often groups of common alder Alnus glutinosa (L.) are added.

Biotope B4.1.2 (Coastal grass and herbaceous thickets along watercourses) stretches along the channel part of the Nemia River in a strip-fragmentary manner.

Biotopes of perennial grasses (С1.2.3) and mesophytic meadows of pasture use (Т2.2.1) occupy relatively small areas of the central parts of the territory of the planned activity. The main edifiers are: common meadow-grass Poa pratensis (L.), common couch Elytrigia repens (L.), cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata (L.), foxtail millet Setaria italica (L.), tufted hairgrass Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) and others.

Despite the mosaic nature of the microforms of the relief, the vegetation cover of the studied area is relatively poor in terms of structure and species composition. Despite this, one of its characteristic features is the combination of different types of vegetation (petrophytic, steppe, forest and shrub). To some extent, this determines their differentiation according to ecological conditions and reflects different stages of secondary succession (from weedy, grass-herbaceous, herbaceous stages to tree-herbaceous stages). The formation of forest vegetation is also observed, which in the final stages of formation approaches natural phytocenoses in terms of systematic structure.

The structure is dominated by segetal and ruderal coenoelements of synanthropic vegetation. There are also invasive species. Synanthropization of flora is one of the manifestations of its transformation. The presence of a synanthropic element in the flora of a specific territory most objectively characterizes the level of its anthropic transformation. The transition of natural species into the category of synanthropic species and the penetration of adventive species, increasing their participation in the formation of vegetation, initiate and deepen such a transformation. The flora of a certain territory will be all the more changed, the fewer analogues of such flora exist in nature in terms of species composition and participation of species in the formation of phytocenoses [Volodymyrets, 2003].

The territory of the quarry of the Ozarynetsk Nemia sandstone deposit is characterized by a low projective cover, and the majority of it is completely devoid of vegetation. Mining has been carried out here since 1962. The current quarry and dump landscape is located at a distance of 0.3 km from the tract "Ozarinetska Gora" on the left bank of the Nemia River. The main part of the mining and industrial landscape is represented by biotope C3.5 Anthropogenic outcrops and dumps without vegetation. Low flooded tracts form biotope C4 (Distinctly unnatural water bodies and related structures (flooded part of the quarry).

Amphibians Amphibia and reptiles Reptilia are traditionally the species-poorest classes of chordates in the Podil region [Matviychuk et al., 2015; Reminny, Matviychuk, 2018]. Naturally, their composition is poor, both within the mining and industrial landscape and in the territory of artisanal developments. Thus, the amphibian fauna is represented by only two species: European Toad Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758) (Bufonidae, Anura) and Eastern Tree Frog Hyla orientalis Bedriaga, 1890 (Hylidae, Anura). The number of each of the named species does not exceed 10 individuals. The poverty of the species composition is determined by: the lack of water bodies suitable for spawning, near the object, its anthropogenic origin, the nature of the substratum, the type of soil and its fractions.

The species structure of the object's herpetofauna is even poorer, represented by only 1 species Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis chersonensis Andrzejowski, 1832 (Lacertidae, Squamata). The estimated number of Lacerta agilis chersonensis in the studied area ranges from 30-50 individuals.

The avifauna of the studied object is formed by 49 species of birds, which are taxonomically represented by 41 genera, united into 24 families and 9 orders (Table 1). The share of such ornithological community in the avifauna structure of Vinnytsia region is only 20.4% [Matviychuk et al., 2017], Ukraine 11.8% [Fesenko, 2002], Europe 6.8% [Svensson et al., 1999]. Unlike representatives of the classes Amphibia and Reptilia, birds show a much greater variety of types of ties to the territory. These types of connections with the territory are caused by seasonal changes in its parameters: the amount and structure of feed, the availability of convenient stations for staying, seasonal characteristics of the behavior of each species, etc. In general, taking into account the status of stay, career birds can be divided into 4 main categories: settled, wintering, flying, nesting and migratory (table, fig. 5).

It should be noted that not all resident and nesting and migratory species, whose presence was detected during the surveys, nest directly within the station.

The most closely associated with the territory are sedentary birds, which nest within its boundaries every year, and in the non-reproductive period carry out trophic migrations right there, without flying away to short distances. In 2021-2022, nesting of 4 resident species was noted directly within the current quarry and on the territory where it is planned to expand its area (Table 1, Fig. 6): blackbird (2 pairs), tree sparrow (3 pairs), goldfinch (1 pair) and yellowhammer (1-2 pairs). Their share in the structure of the studied bird group is only 8.2% (Fig. 6).

In search of food, 16 species (32.7%) of birds periodically invade the boundaries of the natural-anthropogenic and man-made valley-river landscape of Nemia. These bird species are resident in the region, but nest in biotopes adjacent to the quarry (Table 1, Fig. 5). These are: goshawk, sparrowhawk, pheasant, long-eared owl, gray-headed woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, jay, magpie, raven, wren, fieldfare, blue tit, great tit, nuthatch, greenfinch та linnet. Almost all of the named species are obligate dendrophils and settle in the shrub-tree thickets of the Nemia River canyon and coniferous and mixed forests on its left bank, downstream from the village Ozaryntsi.

Representatives of nesting and migratory birds increase the species diversity of the object. The species that make up this group nest within the Podilsk region, but carry out regular seasonal spring/autumn migrations, respectively from/to permanent wintering sites. From this group of birds, 9 species, or 18.3% of the entire avifauna, nest directly within the studied territory of the Nemia river valley landscape (Fig. 5): bee-eater (4-5 pairs), skylark (1 pair), yellow wagtail (2 pairs), Red-backed Shrike (1 pair), starling (2 pairs), garden warbler (1 pair), whinchat (1 pair), chaffinch (1 pair) and corn bunting (1 pair).

Like resident birds, 17 species of nesting and migratory birds of Podillia visit the studied area only in search of food. Their share in the structure of the avifauna of the object is 34.7% (Fig. 6): white stork, buzzard, woodpigeon, turtle dove, cuckoo, hoopoe, wryneck, swallow, house martin, pied wagtail, golden oriole, icterine warbler, blackcap, chiffchaff, robin, thrush nightingale і song thrush (Table 1). physical geographical landscape biotic nemia biocenosis

During seasonal migrations, only one species (2%) of migratory birds was found, which does not nest on the territory of Podillia, but occurs here exclusively in flight, the hen harrier [Matviychuk et al., 2015]. Note that for this species of harriers, cases of wintering within the region are also known [Matviychuk et al., 2017]. On 04/21/2022, only one individual of the hen harrier was noted on the territory of the object.- Notes: s Sedentary birds, s* Sedentary in neighboring habitats, n, t Breeding and migratory, n, t* Breeding in neighboring habitats, h Wintering, t Migratory birds; B Burrowing birds, GN Ground nesting birds, TN Tree nesting birds, CN Cavity nesting birds.

Table 1