Flora of the defensive ramparts of the Bilhorod settlement and ways to preserve it (village of Bilohorodka, Kyiv region)
Keywords:
biodiversity, Kyiv Region, defensive earthen ramparts of the Bilhorod settlement, conservation value, vascular plants, UkraineAbstract
Question. What is the vascular plant richness and environmental value of the ancient defensive ramparts of the Bilhorod settlement? Location. The village of Bilohorodka, Bucha District, Kyiv Region. Methods. During 2022–2025, a detailed study of the flora of the ramparts of the Bilhorod settlement was conducted. In total, ramparts covering an area of 4 hectares and stretching for 2.25 km were surveyed. During the entire study of the Belgorod ramparts, floristic lists were compiled for eight sections of the rampart, a transect, 12 vegetation plots, and 737 observations on the iNaturalist citizen science platform were made. Nomenclature. Vynokurov et al. 2025. Results. The earthen ramparts of the Bilhorod settlement a well-known historical monument that also possesses considerable natural value. In total 321 species of vascular plants belonging to 63 families and 206 genera were recorded within an area of 4 hectares. A significant proportion of the flora consists of native species (217; 67.6%), including 76 species (23.7%) classified as non-synanthropic and 28 species (8.7%) representing steppe plants. Surrounded by village streets, the medieval ramparts are subject to substantial anthropogenic pressure, as evidenced by the pronounced domi-nance of euhemerobic species. The conservation value of the area is con-firmed by the presence of eight rare species of vascular plants, two plant communities listed in the Green Data Book of Ukraine, and three habitat types included in the Resolution No. 4 of the Bern Convention. The majority of protected objects are steppe-related, which is particularly valuable given that the ramparts are located within the Forest Zone. Conclusions. Most threats to the biodiversity of the ramparts are associ-ated with the functioning of private rural households. To preserve the vege-tation cover of the ramparts, it is necessary to conduct an awareness cam-paign highlighting the conservation significance of the ramparts. It is also essential to expand the boundaries of the existing local botanical natural monument «Bilhorodskyi Val» (2.2 ha), change its status to a local bota-nical reserve «Bilhorodskyi Val» with an area of 3.77 ha, and subsequently include it within the Regional Landscape Park «Pryirpinnia».
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