The article describes vegetation diversity patterns of the steppe part of the Synyukha River valley (the Southern Bug catchment area, southern Ukraine), which is represented by 20 alliances, 14 orders, and 13 classes. It has been found that general differentiation of the vegetation is most influenced by edaphic factors (soil moisture, nitrogen content, and aeration), and somewhat less – by damping variability, salinity and acidity regime. The vegetation ecofactors of the alliances Festucion valesiacae, Berberidion vulgaris, Prunion spinosae, and Prunion fruticosae best correspond to the background ecological indicators of the steppe part of the Syniukha River basin. The high cenotic diversity and specific vegetation of the granite outcrops were observed. Based on the calculations, we demonstrated that the steppe part of the Syniukha River catchment area is the southern limit of distribution of Carpinion betuli forests due to the conditions close to the limits of their ecological optimum.

The article provides results of the quantitative score assessment of environmental conditions of plant communities (biotopes) and comparative analysis of the topological (altitude) gradient of changes using the method of synphytoindication and the Mountain Crimean geobotanical zone as an example. Of the 126 biotopes listed for the Mountain Crimea, we selected for the analysis 68 forest, shrub, grassland and petrophytic types, reflecting the patterns of topological differentiation, i.e. β-coenotic diversity within five geobotanical regions and altitudinal zones of the southern and northern macroslopes. In the article, we highlight the specifics of the methodology of field research and data processing, based on geobotanical relevés entered into the database in the TURBOVEG software and selected ecological and coenotic profiles. At the next stage, we assessed the living conditions of the biotopes by applying modern methods and programs TWISPAN, STATISTICA-7. On the basis of key biotopes, we identified combinations within the altitude zones treated as mesocombinations and those within the macroslopes – as macrocombinations. In the article, distribution of biotopes by mesocombinations, macrocombinations and geobotanical regions is provided. The model ecological-coenotic profiles of each geobotanical region of shrub-forest and petrophytic-grass series were built showing distribution of biotopes and graphs of the indicators of major ecological factors. The regularities of altitude changes and the nature of correlation were established. For climatic factors (thermo-, cryoregime, humidity, and climate continentality), we calculated relevant indicators and coefficients used in climatology. The obtained data form the basis for assessing the differentiation of biotopes, comparative analysis of the ecological conditions and forecasting potential changes.

The article provides distribution patterns of natural vegetation depending on topological conditions and outlines the main directions of its anthropogenic transformation. The boundaries as well as botanical and geographical features of the studied district are specified. The syntaxonomic classification of plant communities is presented. The combinative ecological and coenotic profile was created showing distribution patterns of the main plant communities in relation to changes in the indicator values of ecological factors. Three types of mesocombinations are distinguished: forest, grassland (meadow) and swamp-flood ones. Averaged (relevant) indicator values were calculated based on environmental conditions. It has been established that the forest range is characterized by the indicators close to the background ones, which indicate a high stabilizing role of forest ecosystems. Correlative dependence between changes in indicators of certain factors was found, that enables to predict possible cause-and-effect changes. Under current trends of anthropogenic and climatic changes, a decrease in the humidity regime along with raise in soil pH can be expected in the future, while increase in seasonal changes in moisture will accelerate processes of nitrification and soil mineralization. Some habitats within the district are under significant negative effect of invasive species, e.g. the territory between the Lomnytsia River and Kolomyia town is classified as the one under the highest degree of threats due to huge, probably largest in Ukraine, areas of Heracleum sosnowskyi, Erigeron annuus, Solidago canadensis and Rudbeckia laciniata. In the future, this region may undergo substantial transformation and a special attention is required to protect its biodiversity.

У статті висвітлено екологічні аспекти оцінки збитків, завданих довкіллю внаслідок повномасштабного вторгнення РФ в Україну. Запропоновано оцінювати збитки в балах за трьома критеріями: ступінь пошкодження, стійкість та вразливість на прикладі урбоекосистем. Автор наголошує, що зволікання з вирішенням екологічних проблем у найближчому майбутньому може призвести до значно більших екологічних та економічних наслідків, ніж ми уявляємо на початковому етапі. Ключове завдання для екологів полягає в тому, щоб передбачити «каскадні процеси», оцінити їх можливий негативний вплив на довкілля і запропонувати ефективні заходи протидії. Підкреслено, що заходи з відновлення довкілля потребують розроблення комплексних програм, залучення наукових, людських і технічних ресурсів, пошуку джерел фінансування, зокрема відшкодування збитків за рахунок коштів агресора.

The report analyzes such an aspect of decarbonization as optimization of carbon deposition in natural ecosystems, provides appropriate calculations of energy for forest, steppe, meadow, swamp, agro-ecosystems of Ukraine and their components, the results of which can be converted into convenient for economists monetary units and used for evaluation of ecosystem services. From the perspective of the European Green Deal, the problems of adaptation to negative consequences of climate change are highlighted and it is shown that new ideas and scientific developments are at great odds with practical activities on the ground.