River Ecosystems of the Ukrainian Carpathians: Natural Features, and Urban Planning Organization of Coastal Territories

Abstract

For each city with a unique natural basis, the connection with the water space determines the historical process and patterns of development, structure and architectural appearance, cultural traditions and way of life, typology and status of urban spaces. An important component of comfortable living conditions in cities is the harmonious coexistence of urban environment with nature: river arteries, green parks, neighborhoods of birds, animals, and waterfowl feed cities with natural energy, balance anthropogenic impact, and neutralize smoke, pollution, car noise. But in the face of powerful growing urbanization, the degradation of the natural component is a sad reality. The natural features of the river mountain ecosystems of the Carpathians are considered. The Carpathians have the highest density of river networks - in this relatively small area, there are about 28 thousand rivers, streams, and streams. The river with its coastal territory, floodplain, coastal meadows, fields, forests is a whole harmoniously connected ecological system - the degradation of one component leads to an imbalance, to the violation of natural ties, to the loss of the integrity of the ecosystem. It is important to preserve the floodplain, which is a natural protection zone for the river, ecotones, and river biocenosis. It is possible to improve the condition of rivers and preserve biodiversity only if balanced management is implemented throughout the river's catchment area. Mountain and foothill regions of the Carpathians are distinguished by the highest specific weight of forests and shrubs in Ukraine (56.1% of the territory) and the lowest agricultural development (36.4%) and plowed land (17%). Carpathian rivers are regulated by dams due to frequent floods - the total rise of water reaches 5 m or more; the width of the dam space is 200-300 m.
 The lack of a convenient network of tourist trails along the picturesque Carpathian rivers and streams, bicycle paths, trails for horseback riding, and the improvement of ecological promenade routes limits tourists to visit and have a comfortable rest in this beautiful region of Ukraine. The experience of foreign specialists in the urban planning organization of the coastal areas of mountain rivers proves the importance of a harmonious combination of the natural component with the comfort of the improvement of the coastal zone. The following examples prove the possibility of creating a comfortable coastal environment in difficult mountain conditions, while maintaining the natural balance of the river ecosystem. The landscaping of the coastal areas of mountain rivers in the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Japan was analyzed. Proposals regarding the urban planning organization of the coastal territories of the mountain river ecosystems of the Carpathians are presented.