Natural Values of the Hor- bachykha Tract (Kyiv, Ukraine)

Mykola Prychepa

a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:25:"Institute of Hydrobiology";}

Yuliia Kovalenko

Olena Hupalo

Ivan Parnikoza

Abstract

In this article we examined the complex value of Horbachykha floodplane tract of Dnipro river in Kyiv. Its history, flora, vegetation, animal species composition and peculiarities of distribution of rare animal species were studied. Horbachykha tract have natural island origin, and in result of Dnipro regulation in beginning of 20th century finally was formed as left bank flood tract, that in 1960-1970s lost original flood regime. Flora of Horbachykha tract consist of 161 species of vascular plants; 7 rare species of plants and 8 rare vegetation communities were registered. This clearly indicate its natural origin and current semi-natural state. Currently this is the biggest Kyiv left-bank alluvial forest fragment and very significant part of ecological corridor along the Dnipro floodplain. We also registered the presence of rare fauna: 158 species of vertebrate animals, including: 14 fish species, 7 amphibians, 3 reptiles, 132 birds, and 3 mammal species. One of the most important values – complex of rheophilic fish species that still exist according conservated hydrological regime here. A total of 62 bird species were found nesting. The registration of nesting Otus scops is only one current and very important registration for whole Kyiv area. This tract area is very important for most of birds migrated along Dnipro corridor. The settlement of Castor fiber (black morph) – species with high indicator significance was registered in the wetlands of Horbachykha. Taking into account the limited transformation of tract area and the presence of rare biodiversity, area of Horbachykha together with the adjacent water area of the Desenka distributary need to be protected initially by landscape reserve creation. After this including of this tract in “Dnipro Island” National park strongly recommended.