Oksana Nekrasova

The dataset presents the findings of animal species (among them 6 species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine) during the spring field trip and batracho-herpetological studies in the Right-bank Polissya. In particular, the dataset contains modern findings of the natterjack toad - an extremely rare amphibian species, for which there were no reliable findings during 2016-2020. Moreover, the dataset highlights a lot of registration points of amphibians in Polissia region, as this group is relatively poorly studied in this territory.

The dataset consists of records of protected plant and fungi species published in a series of publications specially prepared by the Institute of Zoology: 1) Materials for the 4th edition of the Red Book of Ukraine. Fauna / Series: «Conservation Biology in Ukraine». – Vol. 6, Т. 1. – Kyiv, I. I. Schmalhausen institute of zoology NAS of Ukraine, 2018. – 438 p. 2) Materials for the 4th edition of the Red Book of Ukraine. Fauna / Series: «Conservation Biology in Ukraine». – Vol. 6, Т. 2. – Kyiv, I. I. Schmalhausen institute of zoology NAS of Ukraine, 2018. – 450 p. 3) Materials for the 4th edition of the Red Book of Ukraine. Fauna (Series: «Conservation Biology in Ukraine». – Vol. 7, T. 3). - Kyiv, 2019. - 416 p.

The potential distribution of tropical fish species in Eastern Europe—Gambusia holbrooki (introduced for biological control) and Poecilia reticulata (aquarium species, found in waste waters of big cities)—tend to be of particular interest in terms of global climate change. After GIS modeling of our own data and findings listed in the GBIF databases (2278 points for G. holbrooki and 1410 points for P. reticulata) using the Maxent package and ‘ntbox’ package in R, 18 uncorrelated variables of 35 Bioclim climatic parameters from CliMond dataset, it was found out that by 2090 guppies will appear in the south of Ukraine (Danube river’s estuary, as well as in several places in the Caucasus and Turkey with habitat suitability > 0.3–0.5). G. holbrooki will also slightly expand its range in Europe. Limiting factors for G. holbrooki distribution are: bio1 (Annual mean temperature, optimum +12–+24 °C) and bio19 (Precipitation of coldest quarter (mm). Limiting factors for P. reticulata are: ...

The potential distribution of tropical fish species in Eastern Europe—Gambusia holbrooki Girarg, 1859 (introduced for biological control) and Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859 (aquarium species, found in wastewaters of big cities)—tends to be of particular interest in terms of global climate change. After GIS modeling of our own data and findings listed in the GBIF databases (2278 points for G. holbrooki and 1410 points for P. reticulata) by using the Maxent package and 18 uncorrelated variables of 35 Bioclim climatic parameters from the CliMond dataset, it was found that by 2090, guppies will appear in the south of Ukraine (Danube River estuary, as well as in several places in the Caucasus and Turkey with habitat suitability of >0.3–0.5). G. holbrooki will also slightly expand its range in Europe. Limiting factors for G. holbrooki distribution are as follows: bio1 (annual mean temperature, optimum +12–+23 °C) and bio19 (precipitation of coldest quarter (mm)). Limiting factors for...

The study aims to characterise and compare the helminth assemblages and helminth infracommunities in the marsh frog, Pelophylax ridibundus and the edible frog, P. esculentus collected in the northern part of Ukraine. Occurrence and abundance of the helminths were analysed by calculating the prevalence, intensity, and mean abundance of infection; similarities between the infracommunities were estimated by the Bray–Curtis index and visualised using nMDS plots. Dissimilarities were estimated using the ANOSIM and SIMPER routines. In total, 27 helminth species were found in 143 frogs. Pelophylax ridibundus (n = 86) harboured 20 species of helminths, 24 species were found in P. esculentus (n = 57), and 17 species were shared by the two hosts. Oswaldocruzia bialata and larval Strigea sp. were absent in P. ridibundus, while they reached the prevalence of 30% and 10%, respectively, in P. esculentus. Cosmocerca ornata, Diplodiscus subclavatus, Opisthioglyphe ranae, and Codonocephalus urniger had significantly larger prevalence in P. ridibundus, whereas Haematoloechus asper was found to be more prevalent in P. esculentus. Acanthocephalus ranae, Icosiella neglecta, Haematoloechus variegatus, Pleurogenes claviger, Pleurogenoides medians, and Prosotocus confusus were equally common in both hosts. Helminth infracommunities in the two hosts had identical species richness (1–10 species, 4 on average); abundance was significantly higher in P. ridibundus. Helminth assemblages of the two hosts in northern Ukraine are rather similar; however, small but significant differences were found in their species composition, parameters of infection in some species, and structure of helminth infracommunities.

Habitat modification affects amphibians indirectly by reducing energy reserves and energy allocated to growth and reproduction, and by affecting population dynamics and viability. Marginal populations of amphibians in Latvia and Ukraine are particularly vulnerable. On the other hand, several studies have shown a positive relationship between human density and biodiversity, indicating that species-rich areas and human enterprises quite often co-occur. Therefore, both positive and negative correlations between human population and species richness may be expected. For a better understanding of what constitutes suitable habitat we used a habitat modeling approach, where modeling can be used for revealing species ecological requirements and relationships between the distribution of species and predictive variables, as well as the importance of each variable in model building. Here we employed maximum entropy (MaxEnt) niche modeling, as a tool to assess potential habitat suitability (HS)...

In the autumn of 2015 current distribution of the lizards of Darevskia (saxicola) complex, introduced in 1960s in Zhytomyr administrative region of Ukraine was studied. During the period from introduction until now Darevskia (saxicola) complex has spread along the left bank of the Teteriv River on the territory about 3.7 km lengths. Beside this was found an isolated population of this species, which located about at 4 km direct distance or 8.5 km shore line distance from the main area of occurring this species. It is supposed that this secondary introduction took place occasionally or intentionally due to holidaymakers (e. g. climbers, fishermen). The publication provides description of the lizards on 15 morphological characteristics and information on the results of spatial modeling potential distribution the rock lizards.

We identified major factors (both direct and indirect), caused by the hostilities in Ukrainian ATO zone that adversely influence local biodiversity and environment. Damaged conservational territories (objects of nature conservation fund) were assessed. One of the most severe factors, the fires were studied using data from Terra MODIS remote sensing, resulting in a model of localization and spatial configuration of fires on natural and agricultural territories in ATO zone during June-September 2014. In that period, 2901 ignitions were registered in ATO zone, exceeding the numbers for previous four years. It was determined that 81 % of all of the ignitions happened on natural steppe and forest areas, 19 % in settlements. Th e fires damaged 18 % of forest area, 23 % of the steppe area and 14 % of arable lands of ATO zone. For two snake species of Red book of Ukraine — eastern

A new distribution boundary of the dice snake, Natrix tessellate (Laurenti, 1768), in Ukraine has been established. The northern edge currently lies within the valley of the middle course of the Dnipro River: Trakhtemyriv Peninsula, Cherkasy Region on the right side (49°59′ N, 31°25′ E); on the left side in Kyiv Region within Pereyaslav-Khmelnytsky District: at a fishermen’s station (50°02' N, 31°17' E), yacht club (Kurinoye Estuary 50°02′ N, 31°29′ E); Lubny, Poltava Region (49°58 N, 33°01′ E). These points are located 70-80 km northwards from the previous boundary of the species home range. The level of Natrix tessellata population polymorphism in the North of Cherkasy Region is high; more than 40 % of specimens are dark-colored.

The dataset consists of records of protected animal, plant and fungi species puplished in "Records of protected animal, plant and fungi species in Ukraine. (Series: «Conservation Biology in Ukraine», Is. 19.). – Kyiv-Chernivtsi: Druk-Art, 2020. – 704 p."

Maximum entropy niche modeling was employed as a tool to assess potential habitat suitability for 13 amphibian species and to map their potential distribution in the Western Podillya (Ukraine). The predictor variables used were of climate, topography and human impact (assessed by the Human Footprint). The “mean temperature of coldest quarter” and “isothermality” were two of the most important factors in predicting habitat suitability and distribution. Another profound contribution has been displayed by the Human Footprint, meaning that human infrastructure may benefit amphibians, a phenomenon that perhaps is much more widespread than thought. Areas have been distinguished that in the first place should be of interest to nature conservationists targeting amphibians (exemplified by

The study of the dynamics of the European pond turtle’s Emys orbicularis range and distribution as an indicator of climate change in the past, present, and future is most relevant in connection with the protected status of this species in Europe. Based on our original finds, 25 archaeological sites yielding 1623 remains of 1504 individuals of subfossil pond turtles, current marginal distribution in Latvia, Ukraine, Russia, and literature data, we analyzed 437 records of Holocene turtles and 2847 current records of pond turtles. We identified areas that could serve as refugia for E. orbicularis, as a result of GIS modeling, while using 19 bioclimatic variables from the Worldclim and PaleoClim data bases. The data obtained confirm current hypotheses regarding the origin of more than 10 mtDNA lineages of E. orbicularis and the existence of multiple glacial refugia, and considerable Holocene home range dynamics.

Creation and expansion of the Emerald Network (EN) objects is one of the most promising directions of the nature conservation development in Ukraine according to European standards. The aim of EN objects designing is to assess the state of conservation of habitats and flora/fauna species’ populations on a pan-European level. It is assumed that the EN should cover at least 60% of the populations of species and the area of habitats mentioned in Resolutions (4 and 6) of the Berne Convention (1979). Later on, the EN will be integrated into Natura 2000 system. The other countries’ experience is of great importance in creating such territories. Since 2004 Latvia have joined this network and included 333 sites (12% of its territory). In Ukraine, such network is only being developed. Four Ukrainian biogeographical regions are inhabited by 6 amphibian and 5 reptile species for which according to Emerald Biogeographical Seminar ALP (Carpathians) - CON - PAN, 11-13 May 2016, Chisinau, Moldova,...

In order to use an integrated approach for studying the influence of risk factors on the distribution of the native turtle species E. orbicularis and accompanying invasive species (T. scripta and N. procyonoides) in the northeast of their range, we used GIS modelling and a database (GAEZ, human footprint, CliMond) of 55 preselected variables, which represent a system of bioclimatic and anthropogenic factors. The main variables that influenced the results were factors related to temperature. There was a high correlation (r = 0.6) between the species distribution model’s habitat suitability for E. orbicularis and the corresponding “human footprint” values within the European part of the species’ natural range. Its unpretentiousness towards anthropogenic factors would likely help the further expansion of its range in eastern Europe, because the areas with the highest habitat suitability (r > 0.7) were projected to increase 3.3-fold. When comparing the E. orbicularis model to those o...

This work is dedicated to study of electromagnetic irradiation influence on peculiarities of its impact on linear features and mortality of European grass frog tadpoles. Among the effects observed the intensification of growth and mortality were detected according to the increasing of number of irradiation sessions. Also the presence of morphological abnormalities in post-metamorphic individuals was assessed. The experiment showed that electromagnetic irradiation did’t cause the mass occurrence of morphological anomalies. The preliminary results of the work show that this field of experiment is promising and further investigations should be conducted. The results of the experiment can be used in herpetoculture while creating of stable breeding stock of amphibians, development of nature conservation management-plans for objects of nature reserve fund as well as in studying of impact of electromagnetic field on living organisms in general.

SOME ASPECTS OF ANOMALY’S MANIFESTATION IN AMPHIBIAN COLORATION
O. D. Nekrasova
Shmalgausen Institute of Zoology NAS (Kiev)
Cases of abnormal coloration of the body of amphibians (from albinism to mosaic albinism and blue color in frogs Pelophylax esculentus complex) as well as probable causes of its manifestation are described.

POPULATION SYSTEMS OF THE GREEN FROGS PELOPHYLAX ESCULENTUS COMPLEX OF THE DANUBE RIVER AND THEIR COMPOSITION
O. D. Nekrasova, S. Y. Morozov-Leonov
Institute of Zoology NAS Ukraine
Three types of green frog’ population systems (i.e. REL, RE and R types) were identified on the Danube delta territory (incl. Danube Biosphere Reserve) during last two decades. Their dynamics in time has been observed. The most southern point of the pond frog distribution was revealed (on the spit of the isl. Kubanu and Bird's cove) and confirmed genetically.

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF GEKKO LIZARDS OF SOUT¬HERN VIETNAM WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES (REPTILIA, GEKKONI¬DAE). SZCZERBAK N. N.. NEKRASOVA O. D.—VESTN. ZOOL., 1994, N 1,— 8 Gekko lizard species have been found in vicinities of Hosimin (Saigon) and adjoining provinces. Short diagnoses and localities are given. One of them is described as a new: Gekko badenii sp.n.; from closely related G. petricolus is differs by the pattern and pholidosis characteristics. Type material is deposited in the Zoological Museum, Institute of Zoology, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (Kiev).

Aim of the study: Wetlands associated with rural ponds, can be a habitat for numerous vertebrates. We applied multivariate statistics to identify factors determining vertebrate species richness for habitats housing 69 species. Material and Methods: 30 habitats of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals were investigated. We also considered the size of the wetland, quantity, their vegetation overgrowth other factors. Correlation, ANOVA, regression, factor, cluster analyses were used for the study. Results: Significant positive correlation was found between vertebrate species numbers and habitat area, ponds numbers, their vegetation overgrowth, size of the overgrown part of the water mirror (an indicator of the environmental value of a wetland). The largest contribution to the 1st component (40%) was found to be brought by the overgrown part of the water mirror and the integral projective cover of vegetation. The regression model revealed that the most favored in terms of abundance are habitats of an area of 130-160 ha accommodating 10-12 ponds of projective cover reaching about 30%. Other factors play an important role in supporting the life of certain representatives of the classes of vertebrates. Species richness of birds, inhabiting these wetlands, is fairly closely connected to the development of the structure of the vegetation cover, whereas amphibians and reptiles are dependent on the differentiation of the water surface and microrelief of the terrain. The data obtained can be used for preserving pond wetlands and its biodiversity.

Heavy Metals in Larva Some Amphibians Water and Bank Shore Biotopes of Reservoirs of the City Zone
of Kyiv. Sytnik Yu. M., Nekrasova O. D., Mozhanovskiy V. I., Kuklya I. G. –The content of heavy
metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr) in organism larva some amphibians (Rana esculenta complex, Rana
arvalis, Rana temporaria, Bufo viridis, Bufo bufo) water and bank shore biotopes of reservoirs of the city
zone of Kyiv are studied.

The Content of Heavy Metals in Organism of Brown Frogs of the City Zone of Kyiv. Sytnik Yu. M.,
Nekrasova O. D., Mozhanovskiy V. I., Kuklya I. G. – The content and distribution of heavy metals
(Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr) in organs and tissues of Rana temporaria and Rana arvalis from biotopes near
some reservoirs in the city zone of Kyiv are studied.

Досліджено рівні накопичення та розподілу важких металів (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr) в органах та тканинах двох видів жаб (Rana temporaria та R. arvalis) із біотопів, безпосередньо прилеглих до деяких водойм міської зони Києва. The content and distribution of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr) in organs and tissues of Rana tem-poraria and R. arvalis from biotopes near some reservoirs in the city zone of Kyiv are studied.

Evolutionary genetic aspects of the hybrid form Rana kl. esculenta (Amphibia, Ranidae) hemiclonal reproduction. —
S. V. Mezhzherin1, S. Yu. Morozov-Leonov1, O. D. Nekrasova1, F. F. Kurtyak2, D. A. Shabanov3, A. V. Korshunov4 —
The Ldh-B gene variation was studied within the green frogs genus Rana: the hybrid form Rana kl. esculenta
and the parental species – marsh frog Rana ridibunda. The decreasing of the heritable variation level within the
hybrid form comparatively to the parental species was shown. The cause of it is assumed to be the hybrid form
hemiclonal reproduction without the recombination.

A cases of mass polymelia in the lake frog (Rana ridibunda Pall., 1771) from Kyiv. — O. D. Nekrasova, S. V. Mezhzherin,
S. Yu. Morozov-Leonov , Yu. M. Sytnik. — Numerous cases of polymelia in juvenile Rana ridibunda has been discovered
for the first time in Ukraine in isolated population of Kyiv. In 2001 42% of inviduals had additional limbs (up to 7 ones), in
2002 there were found 18% of frogs with such anomalies. The cause of this phenomenon is discussed.

Hybrid populations are proposed for use as the basis of genogeographical derivations. The processes
that take place in the former show distinctively regional pattern, and thus might be the qualitative marker
of genetic specifi city of the regional populations. In the role of such markers proposed are the hybrid
populations of green frogs, which are known to exhibit the following regional peculiarities: 1) the direction
of elimination of one of the parental species’ genome in hybrids, 2) presence vrs absence of nuclear gene
transfer from one species to another, 3) alternative sex of the hybrids.
Green frogs species are found together in four main areas over the territory of Ukraine, each
characterizing by particular type of structure of the hybrid populations. Danube delta – equilibrium hybrid
populations of RE - type, where the genome of lake frog is eliminated. Transcarpathian plain – strong
tendency for the formation of unisexual hybrid populations E - type, composed exclusively by females.
Transfer of the genetic material is absent. South Bug and Upper Dniester basin – hybrid populations of
all possible types, except the E - type. Hybrids show elimination of the pool frog genome, interspecifi c
gene transfer is not found, hybrids are bisexual with the slight dominance of males. Middle Dnieper basin
– Distinct elimination of the pool frog genome, there is the transfer of genetic material, hybrids in RE and
REL - type populations are exclusively males, in LE - type both sexes are present in equal proportions.

Diagnostics of specimens from the green frogs complex on the basis of morphological traits have
become possible only using the genetic markers (Mezhzherin, Morozov - Leonov, 1992 - 97). For developing
the diagnostic method of the parental species and their hybrids, morphometry indexes were studied along
with the body coloration pattern. The most detailed study was made in Middle Dnieper basin, which is
characterized by particular genetic and morphological peculiarities. 16 standard morphometry and
several coloration traits, such as 1) general body colour, 2) number and size of the dorsal spots, 3) presence
of dorsal - medial stripe, 4) number of stripes at the front extremities, 5) number of stripes at the legs,
6) number of stripes at the tights, 7) number of stripes at the hint extremities, 8) pigmentation of the
ventral side of green frogs were analyzed (Terentiev, 1950; Taraschuk, 1989; Baranov, 1984). The following
indices were found to have the most diagnostic value: Ix, T./C.i., D.p./C.i., the location and the number of
stripes at extremities, colour of resonators of males, position of the tight articulation.

Using Ecological Niche Modeling for Biodiversity Conservation Guidance in the Western Podillya (Ukraine): Reptiles. Tytar, V., Sobolenko, L., Nekrasova, O. Mezhzherin, S. — Maximum entropy niche modeling was employed as a tool to assess potential habitat suitability for 10 reptile species and to map their potential distribution in the Western Podillya (Ukraine). We used climate, topography and human impact (assessed by the Human Footprint) as predictor variables. " Isothermality " , " temperature seasonality " and the " mean temperature of coldest month " were three most important factors in predicting habitat suitability and distribution. A profound contribution to the modeling has been displayed by the Human Footprint, meaning that human infrastructure may benefi t reptile species. Areas have been distinguished that in the fi rst place should be of interest to biodiversity conservationists targeting reptiles and maps summarizing predicted habitat suitability and species richness were produced for guiding conservation eff orts. K e y w o r d s : Maxent, ecological niche modeling, species distribution modeling, reptiles, Ukraine. Моделирование экологической ниши как инструмент для планирования мероприятий, направленных на сохранение биоразнообразия Западного Подолья (Украина): рептилии. Титар В., Соболенко Л., Некрасова О., Межжерин С. — Моделирование экологической ниши методом максимальной энтропии было использовано для оценки условий пребывания 10 видов рептилий и их распространения на территории Западного Подолья (Украина). Среди предикторов были использованы показатели климата, рельефа и антропогенного воздействия (оценивается по интегрированному индексу «человеческий след»). Среди важнейших факторов, которые определяют пригодность и распределение мест обитания рептилий, были «изотермичность», «сезонность температурного режима» и «средняя температура самого холодного месяца». Также существенный вклад вносит индекс «человеческого следа». Это может означать, что инфраструктура, созданная человеком, может формировать благоприятные условия для рептилий. Отмечены территории, которые в первую очередь должны представлять интерес для охраны рептилий, и созданы карты, которые обобщают прогнозируемую пригодность среды обитания и видовое богатство исследованного региона, что может быть использовано для целенаправленных природоохранных мероприятий. Ключевые cловa: Maxent, моделирование экологической ниши, моделирование распространения видов, рептилии, Украина.

Nekrasova O. D. Habitat distribution and composition herpetocomplexes of Kyiv Region. The first time full information is provided on the quantitative composition and distribution of herpetocomplexes in different habitats, Kyiv Region. For this purpose an original methodological approach was implemented. In the studied region, there are 12 species of amphibians and 11 reptiles, including new species recorded by us - Vipera nikolskii (V. berus nikolskii) and
Natrix tessellata. Examples are given of classifications of habitats occupied by amphibians and reptiles considering
various factors and their grades (anthropogenic etc.) and elements that shape them (hydrological, landscape, vegetation, and others). Within the urban zone of Kiev there are records of 3-5 (up to 41,7%) species of amphibians and 1-4 reptiles (up to 36,4% of all the species found in the region). Among the different habitats within anthropogenic impacted territories animals are found mostly along hydrological elements of the catchment area (including wetlands), within ravines and forest-park ecosystems. In natural landscapes, the greatest number of species of animals inhabit tree-shrub
dominated areas, wetland or hydrophilic (10-11 species) habitats. Most of the species prefer ecotones, but in different seasons of the year the animals can be found in a variety of aquatic-terrestrial complexes. Recently there has been a
reduction in the numbers of Triturus cristatus, Lissotriton vulgaris, Bufo viridis, Anguis colchica, Lacerta viridis, Zootoca vivipara, Coronella austiaca, Vipera berus, Vipera nikolski. We propose to include 9 species of amphibians
and 5 species of reptiles to the Red Data Book of Kyiv Region. But we have to bear in mind the importance of protecting the habitat of these species as well.

We identifi ed major factors (both direct and indirect), caused by the hostilities in Ukrainian ATO zone that adversely infl uence local biodiversity and environment. Damaged conservational territories (objects of nature conservation fund) were assessed. One of the most severe factors, the fi res were studied using data from Terra MODIS remote sensing, resulting in a model of localization and spatial confi guration of fi res on natural and agricultural territories in ATO zone during June-September 2014. In that period, 2901 ignitions were registered in ATO zone, exceeding the numbers for previous four years. It was determined that 81 % of all of the ignitions happened on natural steppe and forest areas, 19 % in settlements. Th e fi res damaged 18 % of forest area, 23 % of the steppe area and 14 % of arable lands of ATO zone. For two snake species of Red book of Ukraine — eastern Elaphe dione and more widespread Hierophis caspius — it was shown that most of the animals and their biotopes in Luhansk and Donetsk Regions of Ukraine are under threat. Far example, 65–82 % of 108 fi nds of these Colubridae registered in the eastern Ukraine are located in the ATO zone and near to hostilities. GIS models also showed that more than 50 % of biotopes, suitable for these snakes, are in the ATO zone or near it. Based on worldwide experience and our own observations, we safely assume that the events of 2014 in the ATO territory can possibly cause far-reaching adverse consequences for natural landscapes, local fl ora and fauna, and the massive local disappearance of plant and animal populations. K e y w o r d s: ATO zone, environmental impact, fi res, GIS-modeling, damage to objects of nature conservation , Reptilia, Colubridae. Обзор основных факторов влияния, возникших в результате военных действий на востоке Украины, на биоразнообразие (на примере модельной группы животных). Василюк А. В., Некрасова О. Д., Ширяева Д. В., Коломыцев Г. А. — Выделены основные факторы (прямые и косвенные) негативного влияния на биоразнообразие и местообитания, возникшие в результате военных действий в зоне антитеррористической операции (АТО). Проанализировано состояние повреждённых особо охраняемых природных территорий. Для одного из наиболее масштабных факторов — пожаров — было проведено исследование с использованием данных дистанционного зондирования Земли, Terra MODIS, в результате которого получена модель локализации и пространственной конфигурации пожаров на природных и сельскохозяйственных территориях в зоне АТО за период с 1 июня по 30 сентября 2014 г. За исследуемый период на территории зоны АТО зафиксирован 2901 случай возгораний, что превышает аналогичные показатели огнеопасных периодов предыдущих 4 лет. Обнаружено, что 81 % всех зафиксированных возгораний произошёл на участках с природной степной и лесной растительностью и полях, 19 % — в населённых пунктах, при этом огнём повреждено 18 % площади лесов, 23 % площади степей и 14 % площади пахотных земель зоны АТО. На примере двух видов пресмыкающихся, занесённых в Красную книгу — восточного Elaphe dione и более распространённого Hierophis caspius — было установлено, что большая часть животных и их местообитаний в Луганской и Донецкой областях Украины может пострадать. Так, 65–82 % из 108 зарегестрированных нами находок полозов на востоке Украины находится на территории зоны АТО. С помощью ГИС-моделирования было рассчитано,

Bioclimatic modeling and analysis of home range changes in the dice snake Natrix tessellata
(Reptilia, Colubridae) in Ukraine. Nekrasova O.D., Tytar V.M. — Since the beginning of the
twenty–first century boundaries of the dice snake Natrix tessellata in Ukraine have expanded and certain
populations have increased in numbers. For instance, the species has moved northwards along the
Dnieper, covering a distance of 70 km within 10 years. We predict that by 2030, the territory suitable
for dice snake habitat will increase by 3%, and in the Kiev region — by 17%. Therefore, there is a
growing chance for meeting the dice snake nearby Kiev.

Reference book of the most valuable areas and sites of the Kinburn Peninsula found within the boundaries of Mykolayiv Oblast’ / Edited by Hanna Kolomiiets’, Iaroslav Movchan and Tetiana Kotenko. – Kyiv: Edition of Public organization «Merry Dolphin», 2008. — 96 p. — (Series: Conservation of biodiversity within the Maritime-Steppe Ecocorridor)

The book emphasizes biodiversity issues raised in the publication “Kinburn: prospects for sustainable development”. This book targets local people and visitors from other parts of Ukraine, specialists of bodies of executive power and local self-government, forestry, NGOs, naturalists, teachers and schoolchildren, students.