Man and Environment. Issues of Neoecology

Sustainable use and optimization of the natural resource potential of the landscapes in Rivne district, Rivne region

О. V. Mishchenko , O. O. Aleinyk — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. Analysis of the current state of the natural resource potential of the Rivne district of the Rivne region to determine the possibilities of its use.

Methods. Statistical, cartographic, system analysis, SWOT analysis.

Results. In the Rivne district, a variety of natural conditions and resources have been formed that can be used/are used for the development of the construction, energy industries and agriculture. The hydrogeological conditions of the territory provide small volumes of production of both medicinal and table water and mineral water. Water resources in combination with optimal climatic conditions make it possible to create a network of recreational complexes. Most communities located in the south of the district have an unstable landscape due to the predominance of unstable elements of the natural environment, intensive economic development and the development of agricultural production. This situation is due to the low indicators of forestation and conservation of these territories. The conducted SWOT analysis outlined the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats to the development of the natural resource potential of the Rivne district.

Conclusions. Rivne district of Rivne region has a powerful and diverse natural resource potential, which, if used rationally, can become the basis for sustainable development of territories. The opportunities of the district are related to the development of renewable energy, the implementation of international and state environmental protection programs. Threats - climate change, disruption of the ecological balance, irrational use of nature.

Groundwater quality from different water supply sources of the Khorostkiv territorial community of Ternopil region

I. R. Kuzyk , S. R. Novytska S. R., L. V. Yankovska , B. M. Petrushka — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. Analyse the quality of groundwater from different water sources in the Khorostkivska urban territorial community.

Methods. System and statistical analysis, geochemical groundwater quality assessment method and titration method.

Results. It has been established that the structure of water use in the Khorostkivska community is dominated by the use of water for drinking, sanitation and production needs. The main sources of water supply are surface and groundwater. The qualitative parameters of samples of tap water from of the Khorostkiv city, three private wells and three public wells within the community and five wells of private households in the village of Verkhivtsi of the Khorostkivska territorial community were investigated. It has been established that the sources of centralised water supply of the Khorostkiv city do not meet the requirements of Sanitary-Epidemiological Norms 2.2.4-171-10 in terms of ammonium nitrogen and chromaticity. Exceedances of nitrate nitrogen and overall hardness parameters were observed in water samples taken from the public well in the Khorostkiv city at 4 Muzejna Street. The results of determining the overall water hardness in the wells of private households in Verkhivtsi village showed that two out of five samples exceeded the standard values.

Conclusions. The water quality of the main sources of water supply in the community generally meets sanitary and hygienic and environmental standards, however, there are risks to the quality and safety of surface and groundwater. In order to prevent contamination of groundwater, it is proposed to restore the operation of treatment facilities in the city of Khorostkiv, provide rural settlements with a centralized water supply system, and control the removal of wastewater from private households.

Improved assessment and forecasting of irrigation water quality

S. M. Yurasov, V. D. Karaulov, V. V. Terzeman — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. Improvement of methodological approaches to assessing and forecasting the quality of irrigation water, taking into account its temporal variability, based on the analysis of irrigation properties of river waters in Odesa region.

Methods. Statistical, mathematical modelling and forecasting.

Results. The following are proposed: a methodology for assessing the risk of water quality deterioration and its forecasting during future irrigation, detailed typification of irrigation waters, improvement of the methodology for assessing the risk of soil salinization during irrigation (DSTU 2730:2015). It has been established that the assessment and forecast of irrigation water quality must be carried out taking into account the variability of their composition and properties over time. It has been shown that the use of average values of indicators for the previous period of time can lead to errors in assessing the quality of irrigation water. It is recommended to consider the risk of water quality deterioration for a separate indicator as the provision of the norm for this indicator. It is proposed, based on the experience of EU countries, to limit the risk of water quality deterioration to 10%. It is indicated that a significant drawback of the methodology for assessing the risk of soil salinization in DSTU 2730:2015 is the need to analyze hypothetical toxic salts in irrigation waters for each calculation of the classification indicator, which is very inconvenient when analyzing observation data for long periods of time. It is proposed to eliminate this drawback by using detailed typification of irrigation waters with a specific set of hypothetical salts in each of their subtypes, which allows providing formulas for calculating the е(rCl^–) indicator for these subtypes of water. It is indicated that the simplification of mass calculations allows determining the parameters of the distribution law of the е(rCl^–) indicator and assessing the risk of deterioration of water quality for different types of soils. It was established that in the conditions of the Odessa region, the risk of sodium salinization of the soil during irrigation can be assessed using the ratio of sodium and calcium concentrations (k_Na₁). A significant part of the study is devoted to the testing and refinement of the proposed methods for assessing and forecasting irrigation water characteristics. The main results of the work were obtained for the first time in the domestic practice of environmental research.

Conclusions. Domestic methodological approaches to assessing and forecasting the quality of irrigation water require further development, especially in terms of taking into account the variability of these waters over time. Further research should also be directed at substantiating the limitation of the risks of water quality deterioration, since the European level of 10% adopted in the article is indicative.

Ecological assessment and forecasting of surface water conditions in the Dnipro river in Zaporizhzhia

L.A. Horoshkovа, O. I. Menshov , Y. D. Korniichuk, S. V. Horoshkov, D. V. Maslov — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. To provide a comprehensive environmental assessment and forecast of the condition of surface waters of the Dnipro River within the Zaporizhzhia region, with a focus on the dynamics of key water quality indicators during the period 2013–2024. Special attention is given to anthropogenic factors, particularly the consequences of military actions and the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, which significantly altered the hydrological regime and impacted the ecological balance of the river.

Methods. Systems analysis, statistical data processing methods, distribution analysis, and regression modeling were employed to assess retrospective dynamics and predict future trends.

Results. Long-term monitoring data obtained from the Water Monitoring Laboratory of the Basin Water Resources Department of the Azov Sea Rivers were used. The primary focus was on evaluating six key water quality indicators: phosphates, ammonium, sulfate and chloride ions, biochemical oxygen demand over five days (BOD₅), and dissolved oxygen concentration, to assess the ecological state of the Dnipro River's surface waters in the Zaporizhzhia region, particularly in the drinking water intake area (DVS No. 1) in the upper reservoir of the Dnipro HPP. Phosphate and ammonium concentrations show periodic fluctuations driven by seasonal factors and fertilizer usage. Sulfate levels exhibit high variability of both natural and anthropogenic origin, while chloride concentrations remain relatively stable. Data on dissolved oxygen and BOD₅ indicate seasonal dynamics, which have been disrupted since 2023 due to the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. The analysis confirmed the river's capacity for partial self-recovery, particularly under reduced anthropogenic pressure during wartime. Regression models were developed for predictive assessment of pollution levels and environmental risks.

Conclusions. The study identified key ecological problems in the Dnipro River, including organic and mineral pollution, disrupted hydrological regimes, and decreased oxygenation. The war-related destruction of hydrotechnical infrastructure exacerbated these issues. Despite this, the river demonstrated resilience through natural self-purification processes, especially as phosphate and ammonium loads declined. Restoration of ecological balance will require systemic monitoring, rehabilitation of water infrastructure, and regulation of pollutant sources. The developed models provide a basis for forecasting and managing surface water quality under both peacetime and post-war recovery scenarios.

Industrial construction as a factor in the destruction of natural landscapes and the loss of the ecosystem services potential

S. P. Sonko, I. D. Zelenchuk , T. P. Novikova — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. To identify geospatial patterns of landscape destruction under the influence of the construction of prefabricated metal frame facilities, quantify the loss of ecosystem services and formulate recommendations for the use of an integrated ecosystem approach and geoinformation monitoring to minimize environmental risks in the further development of infrastructure.

Methods. Comparison and comparison, retrospective evaluation analysis, laboratory method, comparative geographical method, engineering cartographic method, statistical method

Results. The destruction of landscapes under the influence of the construction of industrial buildings and logistics complexes in conditions of rapid reconstruction in various landscape zones of Ukraine is considered. The main attention is focused on the study of the violation of ties between living and inert components of the landscape. Active construction along the transport corridors M 06 and M 05 in the 50-km zone of Kyiv led to the disruption of connections between inert and living components of the landscape, which is manifested in the transformations of territories, namely - agricultural territories (–1.5%) and forest areas (–0.5%) and the corresponding increase in built-up areas (+30%). Attention was focused on the violation of the structural and functional integrity of landscape complexes (LC) due to urbanization pressure and loss of landscape stability. Transformational vectors of landscape destruction were identified, in particular fragmentation, reduction of biotic connections and violation of ecosystem regulation.

Conclusions. The construction of industrial buildings has led to the simultaneous loss of ecosystem services (reduction in food and fresh water), regulatory functions (weakening of climatic and hydrological self-regulation, increased erosion), cultural benefits (reduction in recreational, educational and aesthetic potential) and supporting processes (disruption of soil formation and biogeochemical cycles).

Radial growth of common horse chestnut in green plantings of Lviv and Kharkiv

I. M. Koval , M. O. Chermnykh , V. V. Gololobov — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. to identify the consequences of climate change and the invasion of the horse chestnut leaf miner on the radial growth of horse chestnut in green plantings of the cities of Lviv and Kharkiv.

Methods. System analysis, dendrochronological and statistical methods were used.

Results. The radial growth of trees in middle-aged plantings was compared for the period before the outbreak of the horse chestnut leaf miner (1982-2001) and after it (2002-2021) for Lviv and for 1990-2006 and 2007-2023 for Kharkiv. The temperatures for the hydrological year for these periods were also compared according to data from the Lviv and Kharkiv weather stations. It was found that in the second period Kharkiv was a decrease in growth by 57%. For the first period (before the outbreak), deviations from the norm of radial growth of common horse chestnut in the green plantation of Lviv were 12-23%, the corresponding values for the second period – 17-72%. It was found that in the second period in the Lviv plantation, the influence of temperatures on the radial growth of horse chestnut, in general, became more positive for different periods of the hydrological year. The number of positive correlation coefficients between radial growth and climatic factors also increased, which indicates an increase in the sensitivity of trees. In the green plantation of Kharkiv, when comparing the influence of climate on the radial growth of horse chestnut in 1986-2004, and 2005-2022 it was found that precipitation had a positive effect on growth, unlike temperature, which had a negative effect on radial growth. This is characteristic of both periods.

Conclusions. When comparing the radial growth of horse chestnut for the periods before the beginning of the chestnut miner invasion (1982-2001) and after it (2002-2021) in Lviv and, respectively, for Kharkiv for 1986-2004 and 2005-2023, the decrease in growth was half as much in the second period compared to the first, despite the fact that the chestnut leaf miner arrived in Kharkiv 5 years later than in Lviv. Despite the significant decrease in radial growth due to climate change and the impact of the chestnut miner invasion, the radial growth of horse chestnut in the Lviv plantation stabilized during 2017–2021 and in the Kharkiv plantation – during 2016–2023. This indicates the adaptation of the horse chestnut to environmental changes at this stage.

Analysis of alternatives for sorting household waste in rural areas: at home or at the landfill

N. V. Maksymenko , V. O. Stolov — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. To assess the economic and environmental feasibility of different scenarios for sorting solid waste (pre-sorting in the home and sorting at landfills) and to determine the optimal solution for a rural community, taking into account the specifics of local conditions.

Methods. The calculation of the economic effect of implementing each waste collection scenario, as well as analysis of the regulatory framework for waste management.

Results. The study assesses the waste composition and determination of the economic potential of recyclable materials in Lypkuvativka village of Novovodolazka community in Kharkiv region. The paper describes a comparative analysis of the economic and environmental aspects of two approaches to waste sorting in rural Ukraine: advance sorting in households and sorting of mixed waste directly at landfills. Pre-sorting provides higher quality of recyclable materials and increases community income through the sale of sorted resources, consequently reducing the amount of landfilled waste. Sorting mixed waste at a landfill is less efficient due to high contamination with organic fractions, which reduces the recyclability of the recyclables.

Conclusions. The introduction of advance waste sorting in rural areas of Ukraine is economically and environmentally quite feasible, although it requires initial investment in separate collection containers. In addition, it is necessary to conduct awareness-raising activities with the population.

Policies, strategies and regulations on microcredentials and lifelong learning: European and Estonian framework

A. Shkaruba , K. Marran — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. Analysis of key policies at both the EU and Estonian levels, including regulatory frameworks governing recognition, accreditation, and quality assurance of microcredentials.

Methods. The analysis references EU-wide strategies and Estonia’s national policies, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of how microcredentials are integrated and governed.

Results. Micro-credentials— short, competency-based learning units—have emerged as a promising solution for upskilling and reskilling individuals across sectors, have become a pivotal tool in modern education, especially within the European Union (EU) and Estonia, providing flexible, modular learning opportunities that address the evolving needs of individuals and industries. They serve as a bridge between formal education and workforce skill demands, offering a means for continuous professional development and lifelong learning. As policies and regulations evolve, a structured framework for microcredential recognition, accreditation, and quality assurance ensures their portability, reliability, and alignment with existing qualification systems.

Conclusions. Micro-credentials in EU higher education institutions serve as a crucial tool for skill development, career progression, and academic advancement. Their design prioritizes flexibility, industry relevance, and rigorous quality assurance. Future developments will focus on enhancing stackability, improving employer engagement, and expanding digital credentialing systems to facilitate learner mobility and recognition across different sectors.

Prospective regional landscape parks – reserves for optimization of the reserve and ecological network of Ternopil region

L. P. Tsaryk, A. V. Kuzyshyn, P. L. Tsaryk — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. Development of ways of functional-spatial improvement of reserve and ecological networks by involving promising regional landscape parks of Ternopil region for preservation.

Methods. The methodological basis of the study is the conceptual provisions of the functional-spatial features of the functioning of regional reserve and ecological networks, with the definition of the reserve and recreational potential of natural complexes and human potential of urban settlements, taking into account the peculiarities of their relationship with urban settlements, transport network, recreational infrastructure, functional fullness, completeness, degree of connectivity using the graph method.

Results. The creation of the proposed network of regional landscape parks will significantly improve the preservation of 21 territorial communities, which is 38% of the territorial communities of the region. Of the 21 territorial communities, 16 have a low preservation index. After taking into account the potential reserve, this indicator increases by nine, and in some places by ten or more times (Vyshnivetska, Skala-Podilska, Bilobozhnytska, Mykulynetska, Narayivska, Zborivska territorial communities). Three territorial communities will have a reserve indicator of the European level (Zalozetska, Berezhanska, Chortkivska). Given the presence of significant natural and historical and cultural recreational resources in them, there are all prerequisites for developing various types of recreation and tourism. The presented maps of the reserve of territorial communities demonstrate that the creation of promising 20 regional landscape parks significantly differentiates them in terms of reserve indicator. At the same time, the reserve area in the region will increase, the reserve of the region will increase from 8.95% to 14.21%.

Conclusions. The proposed course of events contributes to the improvement of the territorial organization of the reserve and ecological networks from the local to the regional levels, the activation of the tourist and recreational activities of the economic sector, involving the potential of territorial communities in this sphere.

Research on the impact of war on protected areas of Southern Ukraine

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. To conduct an integrated analysis of the dynamics and ecological consequences of wildfires on Biriuchyi Island (Azovo-Syvash National Nature Park) between 2014 and 2024 using satellite monitoring tools. The study aims to identify spatial and temporal patterns of fire occurrence, assess their impact on vegetation and fauna, and highlight the environmental threats exacerbated by the ongoing occupation and lack of fire management.

Methods. The study utilized NASA FIRMS (MODIS and VIIRS sensors), Sentinel-2 data, Google Earth Engine, and weather archives (RP5) to detect and map fire anomalies. Temporal-spatial analysis was performed based on fire radiative power (FRP), thermal brightness, fire coordinates, and weather parameters. Multisource data were integrated to validate fire events, and Sentinel-based NDVI changes were analyzed to assess vegetation damage.

Results.Two primary fire peaks were identified: June and August 2024. The highest FRP (35.15 MW) and temperature (367 K) were recorded on June 10. Fires exhibited clear diurnal patterns– higher intensity during the day and more detections at night. Vegetation loss and fire scars were confirmed via Sentinel imagery. Occupation-related factors (lack of suppression, military activities) were linked to increased fire spread. Post-fire satellite data showed significant degradation of native vegetation and fragmentation of habitats for deer, amphibians, and migratory birds.

Conclusions. The fires on Biriuchyi Island have caused severe disruption to ecosystems through soil erosion, vegetation loss, and trophic imbalance. Restoration requires urgent actions: wildlife population monitoring, reforestation with native species, erosion control, and regulation of ungulate density. The use of satellite tools proved essential for detecting small-scale fires and monitoring ecological dynamics in inaccessible territories. Without active intervention, cascading degradation is likely, including microclimatic shifts and invasion of alien species. A long-term management plan is needed to restore and protect this unique ecological area.

Impact of projective soil cover with post-harvest residues on soil microbiological indicators in the conditions of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Z. O. Dehtiarova, A. A. Dyomkin — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The transformation of crop residues is an important factor in shaping the spatial and functional structure of the soil microbial biome, crucial for enhancing soil fertility and ecological sustainability. Their application as a component of agrotechnology contributes to developing a stable, active, and diverse microbial community.

Purpose. To determine the effect of crop residue ground cover on the abundance of actinomycetes in soil.

Methods. Field experiments, laboratory-analytical procedures, and statistical methods.

Results. The data on the impact of various crop residues on the abundance of actinomycetes in soil presents. It was proven that residues of sunflower, corn, and soybean significantly enhanced microbiological activity, particularly increasing actinomycete numbers compared to the control without residues. The highest abundance of actinomycetes was recorded in soil with sunflower residues, indicating the high potential of this residue type to improve soil biological quality. An inverse relationship was found between actinomycete abundance and both soil moisture and temperature: optimal conditions were observed at 18.3% moisture and 26.0°C. The developed regression model demonstrated a moderate correlation between soil moisture and actinomycete abundance. The study emphasizes the importance of the chemical composition of crop residues, particularly the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, in creating favourable conditions for soil microbial development.

Conclusions. The use of crop residues in resource-saving farming systems is an effective measure to stimulate microbiological processes and improve soil fertility. Establishing the dependence of microbial activity on soil moisture and temperature makes it possible to optimize the water regime, reduce energy inputs for soil management, and ensure the sustainable development of the microbiota under climate change conditions.

The pesticides impact on soil microflora in the context of sustainable natural resource use

Z. V. Lavrynyuk, O. A. Karaim, O. Yu. Raban; V. P. Karaim — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. Study of the impact of the pesticides Pesticol and KarateGold on soil microflora, specifically on bacterial communities of the genera Sphingomonas, Streptomyces, Bacillus, and Micrococcus, in the context of balanced nature management.

Methods. Serial dilutions, Drygalsky, the Gram method and microscopy, agar diffusion methods, statistical processing.

Results. Soil samples were selected in different locations of the city of Lutsk: 1 – botanical reserve “Vorotniv”, forest zone; 2 – section of the E85 highway on Okruzhnaya Street, 37; 3 – flower garden near the dormitory No. 2 of the VNU on Vynnychenko Street, 22. Two types of the most commonly used pesticides were selected for the study: Pesticol (active substance concentration 6.0 %) and KarateGold (active substance concentration 0.075 %). Analysis of the effect of pesticides on microorganisms showed that the selected drugs, such as Pesticol and KarateGold, have different effects on different types of soil bacteria, which emphasizes the importance of studying their effect on the microbiota. The obtained research results clearly show that the drug with a lower concentration of the active substance is less aggressive and more environmentally friendly compared to the other. The results showed that for Streptomyces bacteria, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the pesticide Pesticol is 16 μg/ml, while for KarateGold it is 2 μg/ml, which indicates high sensitivity to the first pesticide. In the case of Micrococcus bacteria, the MIC for Pesticol is also 2 μg/ml, while the bacteria showed high resistance to KarateGold, which is confirmed by their presence in all tubes except the first.

Conclusions. The negative impact of pesticide use on these microorganisms, which may cause disruption of the soil ecosystem. Taking into account the impact of pesticides on microflora is of great importance when developing a plant protection strategy to ensure a balanced use of chemical protection agents. Research can contribute to a better understanding of the effect of pesticides on microorganisms in the soil, which is important for balanced environmental management

Soil phytotoxicity assessment with different types of anthropogenic pollution

I. I. Saranenko — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose. Determination of soil phytotoxicity in various sites through bioassay using seeds of garden cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.), common bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), and garden radish (Raphanus sativus L.).

Methods. Analytical, field research, biotesting, statistical.

Results. It was found that the test site near the landfill is heavily polluted: the phytotoxic effect (PE) reaches 69,6%, indicating significant growth suppression, with soil solution pH of 4,9. The soil along the roadside is polluted above the average level, showing a maximum PE of 53,4% for sweet pepper seed germination, with a pH of 4,9. The sample from the agricultural field showed a moderate phytotoxic effect, with a pH of 5,4. The control site showed a high germination rate without signs of phytotoxicity, with a pH of 4,9. In all contaminated areas, an acidic soil environment with pH 4,5–5,4 was formed in the 0–20 cm layer. At such values, most nutrients become poorly available to plants. Characteristic morphological signs of toxic stress are observed: leaf curling, edge whitening, and root deformation. The greatest sensitivity to contamination was shown by sweet pepper seeds (Capsicum annuum L.).

Conclusions: It were indicated that technogenically loaded soils have a negative impact on seed germination and further development. Biotesting proved to be an effective method of preliminary bioindicative monitoring of soil conditions and can be recommended for use in communities and educational institutions to identify hidden environmental threats.

Roundtables as an initial stage in the implementation of the international projects Erasmus+ SUNRISE and DOMANI

А. A. Hrechko, S. V. Burchenko, N. I. Cherkashyna — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In modern academic environment, international cooperation plays a key role in the development of education, science and innovation. Participation in international programmes, such as Erasmus+, opens up great opportunities for establishing inter-university links, sharing experiences, developing scientific competencies and improving educational programmes. These initiatives include the SUNRISE project - Supporting the Next Generation of Ukrainian Researchers: a project to increase university capacity and improve doctoral training, and the project - DOMANI - Developing Microcredit Ecosystems in Ukraine and Mongolia for a Competitive and Sustainable Green Economy. which are being implemented under the Erasmus+ programme with the participation of leading European and Ukrainian universities.