River Ecosystems of Ukraine: Natural Features, Problems of Transformation and Recovery Measures

Abstract


 The current state of ecosystems of rivers of Ukraine - their natural features and consequences of powerful anthropogenic activity are analyzed. The problem of coastal areas of rivers and reservoirs is considered. Methods of rehabilitation of the cascade of Dnieper reservoirs and their coastal territories are determined.
 Extensive farming with the destruction of coastal lands up to 80-90% is one of the main factors in the ecological crisis of river ecosystems. The floodplains of most small rivers of Polissya are developed for agricultural lands by almost 50-60%, Forest-steppe and Steppe - by 70-90%. Nevertheless, the efficiency of agricultural land use in Ukraine is lower than in Europe and developed countries. Agricultural fields are located on the slopes and floodplains of rivers, so the erosion of coastal areas has reached unprecedented proportions.
 The creation of the Dnieper reservoirs has created a number of environmental problems, led to a sharp change in the basis of local erosion. One third of their total length is actively destroyed by wind waves and denudation processes, runoff and other types of currents. The area of land lost as a result of the destruction of the shores is already about 6.5 thousand hectares. The destruction of the cascade shores annually leads to the loss of a significant amount of coastal land, affects the use of the shores and adjacent areas, causes emergencies, accidents and catastrophes, especially in settlements where the negative impact of natural factors is exacerbated by man-made factors.
 The condition of the coastal area directly affects the condition of the water area. Urban planning of coastal areas should help preserve and maintain the natural balance of the river ecological system - the establishment of restrictive "green lines" and water protection zones, shore protection, creation of recreation areas and their improvement, paving tourist routes, restricting protected areas and more. These urban planning measures should take into account the zonal features of rivers and take into account the uniqueness of each river ecosystem in Ukraine.