Habitat transformation and its impact on zoobiota

Abstract

The history of the use of the term “habitat” is considered. It is emphasized that this term refers to the habitat of a particular animal species or population and is determined by their ranges. The factors that lead to the destruction of habitats of many populations on the lowlands and in the highlands of the Ukrainian Carpathians are indicated. Attention is drawn to the degradation of mountain lakes and streams as habitats for aquatic hydrobionts. Among the factors that cause the destruction of habitats, the factors of both natural and anthropogenic origin are identified: climate change, absolute protection of territories, demutational processes, uncontrolled recreation activities, changes in traditional land use, water chemiсal composition and pollution, the appearance of invasive plants, urbanization, etc. The synergistic effect of these factors leads to rapid habitat change, and thus to the loss of adaptive capacity of individuals of different species to the changed conditions of their habi­tats. Among the objects of our study are such taxa as planktonic crustaceans (Cladocera), ants (Formicidae), lampreys (Cyclostomata), ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii), amphibians (Amphibia) and birds (Aves). It was found, in particular, that deciduous forest habitats are the most favorable for the existence of a significant diversity of ants. The mega-habitats for amphibians were identified as a complex of individual habitats that vary during the vegetation season and are connected by migration routes. The key habitat in Western Polissia, as an example, can be the Unychi wetland, which is home to a number of rare bird species. The nest-building behavior of birds under the influence of anthropogenic factors also undergoes changes - its species-specific appearance and composition of nesting materials are transformed in response to habitat pollution. In addition, the study showed that the use of invasive trees and shrubs for urban greenery has a negative impact on the diversity of urban bird fauna, as it paradoxically reduces the number of nesting and foraging habitats for birds. It is proposed to identify key habitats for the populations of rare and endangered animal species within the protected areas and on the non-protected ones, to indicate their locations and the type of management approach (protection, restoration, reconstruction, etc.).