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This study focuses on the mycorrhizal associations of Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, typical for species in the Ericaceae family. The development of these symbiotic relationships varies seasonally and by habitat. Mycorrhizal colonization was studied across different phenological stages in natural populations of R. tomentosum in the Bilokorovytsky forestry, Zhytomyr region (Ukraine). Samples were taken at four stages of the growing season, analyzed morphologically, and quantitatively assessed. The results revealed that colonization peaks at the beginning and end of the vegetation period while declining during flowering and seed maturation. Additionally, we observed both ericoid mycorrhizae and dark septate endophytes (DSE) coexisting within the roots, suggesting that the symbiotic relationship is complex and influenced by multiple factors. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of mycorrhizal dynamics in R. tomentosum and highlight the need for further research on seasonal and environmental influences on these associations.

Background. Peat bog complexes are self-sufficient ecosystems in which unique microclimatic conditions leading to a significant diversity of valuable plant communities are formed. Such communities are sensitive to the effects of climate change or any anthropogenic intervention. The lack of reliable information on their distribution on the territory of the Syra Pogonia peat-bog massif of the Rivnenskyi Nature Reserve necessitates a detailed study of the bog vegetation. Therefore, the purpose of the work was to classify the community of peatland vegetation of the Syra Pogonia massif and to determine the features of their syntaxonomic and ecological differentiation for further development of environmental management strategies. Materials and Methods. The study of the peculiarities of peatland vegetation was conducted on transects that represent the variety of local conditions of the complex system. A total of 141 relevés were analysed using the Braun–Blanquet method. The material was analysed using TURBOVEG 2.79 and JUICE 7.0.83 software. Vegetation units were separated using the method of two-factor indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN). Diagnostic species of syntaxa were determined by the fidelity coefficient phi, the fidelity threshold for which was > 25 %. The statistical significance of the phi coefficient was determined with the Fisher’s test at P < 0.001. The DCA-ordination method was used to identify an ecological differentiation of units. Results. Peatland vegetation of the Syra Pogonia massif of the Rivnenskyi Nature Reserve was analysed. We identified 7 associations belonging to 6 alliances, 6 orders and 4 classes and compiled a vegetation syntaxonomic scheme. The leading factor of ecological differentiation of community is humidity of the area. The greatest diversity is inherent in mesotrophic areas, rare species are found and grouped according to diffe­rent ecological conditions. The species composition of 7 associations includes 79 plant species, of which 65 are vascular and 14 are bryophytes. Using methods of phytosociological analysis, we established that the distribution of community in multi-dimensional space of ecological factors occurs under the conditions of their complex action. At the same time, changes in the humidity regime are of crucial importance for the selected syntaxa (Andromedo polifoliae-Sphagnetum magellanicі). The results of the phytoindicative analysis proved that the associations identified on the territory of the Syra Pogonia peat-bog complex are acidophilic in terms of acidity, and oligotrophic in terms of the requirements for the content of nutriens. Conclusions. As orders, and result of the analysis of relevés, 7 associations, which belong to 6 alliances, 6 orders and 4 classes were selected. Based on the results of the dataset analysis, a vegetation classification scheme was compiled. As a result of the cluster analysis of 7 associations, a significant difference between communities of watered and wet habitats was revealed. We established that the differentiation of the vegetation on the territory of the peat massif of Syra Pogonia mainly depends on the change in the moisture regime.

The Ukrainian Polissia is a distinctive region in terms of biodiversity, with a significant number of northern and boreal species and communities, as well as Central European species in the Western Polissia. The research region stretches from west to east for 750 km, and from north to south for 120–150 km. In the northeast direction, its territory gradually narrows to 50–80 km and constitutes a significant part of the important ecological corridor of Eastern Europe. Background. The natural conditions of the Ukrainian Polissia are favorable for the formation of coniferous, broadleaf and mixed forests, which are zonal communities here. The widespread distribution of fluvioglacial sediments causes the predominance of sandy sod-podzolic soils and associated pine forests. The high groundwater table and the low surface area contribute to the development of eutrophic peat bogs. All this leads to the formation of a diverse vegetation cover, which contributes to the representativeness and significant preservation of floristic and coenotic diversity. One of the key roles in the protection of rare species of phytodiversity in the Polissia region of Ukraine belongs to multifunctional protected areas, including the category of “regional landscape parks”. They cover more than 200 species of vascular plants of the Polissia region, with diffe­rent conservation statuses – from the international level of protection to the regional one. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted using conventional field (route-based, geobotanical descriptions of key areas) and desk methods. The species names are given according to the International Plant Names Index, and their belonging to the protected categories is based on the conservation criteria and protection levels accor­ding to the regulatory documents. Results and Discussion. The materials of the research of phytodiversity of five regional landscape parks (Prypiat-Stokhid, Nadsluchanskyi, Ptashynyy Rai, Mizhrichenskyi, Yalivshchyna), in particular rare species, are presented, as evidenced by their diversity, including a number of glacial relics, endemics and borderline species located at the southern or eastern border of the distribution area. Conclusions. The study has revealed that the rare vascular plant flora of the Polissia regional landscape parks is represented by 56 species included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 145 species under regional protection of three oblasts of the Polissia region, nine species from Appendix I of the Bern Convention, four species from Appendix II of CITES, and three species included in the European Red List. Two RLPs are the most sozologically representative in the study area: Nadsluchansky (six species of international protection statuses, 30 species of the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 107 species of regional protection level) and Mizhrichynsky (14 species with international protection statuses, 28 species of the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 51 species of regional protection level), which is determined by the peculiarity of natural conditions, habitat diversity and area of the territories. regional landscape parks as a category of nature reserve fund of regional status within the Polissia region of Ukraine cover most of the representative habitats, which include a corresponding number of rare species of different levels of protection, namely: forest (87 species), herbaceous (85 species), marsh (36 species) and aquatic (30 species) habitats.

This study focuses on the mycorrhizal associations of Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, typical for species in the Ericaceae family. The development of these symbiotic relationships varies seasonally and by habitat. Mycorrhizal colonization was studied across different phenological stages in natural populations of R. tomentosum in the Bilokorovytsky forestry, Zhytomyr region (Ukraine). Samples were taken at four stages of the growing season, analyzed morphologically, and quantitatively assessed. The results revealed that colonization peaks at the beginning and end of the vegetation period while declining during flowering and seed maturation. Additionally, we observed both ericoid mycorrhizae and dark septate endophytes (DSE) coexisting within the roots, suggesting that the symbiotic relationship is complex and influenced by multiple factors. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of mycorrhizal dynamics in R. tomentosum and highlight the need for further research on seasonal and environmental influences on these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tasks of this study – to investigate levels of contamination of soils of background forest area of Ukrainian Polissia by heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn); to evaluate of concentrations of these heavy metals in fractions of mosses; to calculate values of coefficient of biological absorption of heavy metals by fractions of moss species. Study was conducted in July 2021 at 3 experimental plots in Zhytomyr Region, Povchanske forest division of branch «Lugyny Forestry». Vegetation was presented by association Molinio-Pinetum Matuszkiewicz (1973) 1981, and by moist fairly infertile pine site type (В3). Moss were sampled by fractions: Pleurozium schreberi and Dicranum polysetum – increment of 1-2 years, increment of earlier period; Polytrichum commune – increment of the first year, increment of the second year, increment of earlier period; Leucobryum glaucum, Sphagnum capillifolium and S. palustre – increment of the first year, increment of the second year, peat litter (semi-decomposed). Measurement of heavy metals content was conducted on atomic-absorption spectrophotometer С-115-М1. Coefficient of biological absorption was used as an index of intensity accumulation of heavy metals by mosses in the chain «soil – moss». Concentrations of heavy metals in 10-cm soil layer changed in such range: Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd; in absolute values (mg·kg-1) – 3,75±0,06; 3,56±0,10; 1,10±0,05; 0,002±0,00. Specific distribution in fractions of all studied moss species – terrestrial and paludal – was found for concentrations of Cu – maximal concentration was in the increment of the first year with decrease to the increment of the second year and lower – to the old moss fraction. Opposite distribution in moss fractions was observed for Zn and Pb in all studied moss species. More complicated distribution in moss fractions was observed for concentrations of Cd. For terrestrial mosses, such as Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum polysetum and Polytrichum commune this distribution was similar – decrease Cd concentrations from increment of the first year to increment of the second year and to the lower part of mosses, but for Sphagnum spp. was differ. An important conclusion can be made that ranged row of heavy metals accumulated in the upper moss part (increment of the first year) looks like this: Cd > Cu > Zn > Pb; in the increment of the second year – Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb; in the lower part of moss cover – Cd > Zn > Pb > Cu. Also general conclusion can be made that intake of each heavy metal is species-dependent as well as distribution of its concentration among moss fractions.

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У статті розглядається символіка просторових реалій, задіяних у поховальній обрядовості поліщуків: покуті, печі, підвіконня (вікна), стола, лави, діжи. Основною метою дослідження є аналітичне узагальнення відомостей про внутрішній простір хати, у координатах якого розгортаються спеціальні обрядові дії, пов’язані з вторгненням до нього «смерті», проаналізувати житло як простір саме поминальних обрядів. Аналіз емпіричного матеріалу засвідчив, що в критичний момент відбувається символічне створення в старому просторі дому нового простору для померлого. Наступним кроком буде символічне транспортування простору «цього світу» в простір «потойбічного» світу та водночас конструювання в просторі своєї хати нового, безпечного простору The article examines the symbolism of the spatial realities involved in the funeral rites of the Polissia: icon corner, stove, windowsill (window), table, bench, dizha. The main goal of the research is to summarize information about the inner space of the house, in the coordinates of which special ritual actions related to the invasion of «death» unfold into it, to analyze the dwelling as a space of memorial rites. The analysis of empirical material proved that at a critical moment a new space for the deceased is created in the old space of the house. The next step is symbolic transportation of the space of «this world» into the space of the «other world» and at the same time constructing a new, safe space inside your own house

У статті звернуто увагу на хатні локативи, які використовували мешканці Українського Полісся для відвернення грози та граду. Хата в українців Полісся асоціювалася зі «своїм», внутрішнім простором, який протистояв зовнішньому. Для його збереження українці дбали про ті місця, які перебували на межі світів (вікна, двері, комин) або займали центральне місце у світоглядних уявленнях (піч, покуть). Спираючись на польові матеріали, зібрані на початку ХХІ століття, розглянуто метеорологічні вірування, умовно поділені на дві групи: народні засоби попередження несприятливих явищ погоди; магічно-обрядові дії для усунення певного стихійного лиха. Виявлено опозиційні групи, спрямовані на протиставлення одних погодних явищ іншим: вогонь – вода, внутрішній – зовнішній, свій – чужий. The article draws attention to the specific locations in a house used by residents of Ukrainian Polissia to prevent thunderstorms and hail. The house for the Ukrainians of Polissia was associated with «their own» inner space that opposed the outer space. To preserve the inner space, Ukrainians took care of those places that were at the worlds’ border (windows, doors, chimneys) or occupied a central place in worldviews (furnace, pokut – home altar). Based on the field materials collected at the beginning of the 21st century, the meteorological beliefs are conventionally divided into two groups: folk means of preventing adverse weather phenomena; magical ritual actions to eliminate a certain natural disaster. Oppositional groups aimed at opposing one weather phenomenon to another have been identified: fire vs. water, internal vs. external, own vs. someone else's.

The goal of this study was to give comparative evaluation of applicability of different species of mosses and lichens for radiation monitoring of 137Cs contamination of pine forest biogeocenoses in Ukrainian Polissia in different forest-ecological conditions (FEC). Objects of research were: species composition of mosses and lichens on stationary experimental plots (SEP), their occurrence in FEC–В3 and FEC–А1, sufficiency for multiyear monitoring, values of 137Сs specific activity in investigated indicator species, and concentration ratio (CR) in the system «indicator biomass – substratum». Research was carried out in 2020 in Ukrainian Polissia, Zhytomyr Region, on 4 stationary experimental plots: SEP-1 – in forest-ecological conditions FEC–В3, SEP-2, 3, 4 – in FEC–А1. For these forest-ecological conditions occurrence of indicator species of mosses and lichens as well as their sufficiency for sampling at multiyear monitoring was studied by route method on 20 forest sites. On each SEP, samples of moss and lichen species were collected in sets of 3-5 repetitions. The substratum was sampled directly below them: for epigeous species – soil at the depth of 20 cm, for epiphytic ones – pine bark. 137Сs specific activity was measured on spectrum analyser SЕG-001 «АKP-S»-150 with scintillation detector BDЕG-20-R1. Relative error of measurement – < 15 %. A concentration ratio (CR) was chosen as an index of intensity of 137Cs accumulation by biota. The occurrence of the following species-indicators of radioactive contamination of a pine forest were shown to prevail in FEC–В3: Dicranum polysetum, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypogymnia physodes; in FEC–А1: Cladonia mitis, Cladonia rangiferina, Hypogymnia physodes, Dicranum polysetum. It was found that in FEC–В3, the average values of CR in Dicranum polysetum (2.31±0.127) significantly exceeded the corresponding values in Pleurozium schreberi (1.64±0.06). The difference of the average CR values was essential at a confidence level of 95 %. In FEC–В3, epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes was characterized by the highest average CR value (8.45±0.33), i.e. the difference with mosses was statistically reliable. In FEC–A1, epigeous mosses accumulated 137Cs more intensively than epigeous lichens of genus Cladonia, the average CR values were 4.78±0.28 and 2.51±0.15, respectively, the difference was essential. In FEC–A1, the group of epiphytic lichens was characterized by the maximum CR, with average value 6.84±0.36, which was essentially and reliably different from the corresponding values of the group of epigeous lichens and the group of epigeous mosses. It was found that among the indicator species of mosses and lichens, Hypogymnia physodes was characterized by the highest values of radiocontamination in investigated forest ecological conditions.

The paper presents results on the analysis of the taxonomic structure of the trematode fauna of the Ukrainian Polissia. It was found that the trematode fauna of freshwater molluscs in the Ukrainian Polissia is represented by 62 species. We supplemented the species composition of larvae of trematodes in the region with 23 species, 13 of which were first recorded in Ukraine. The results showed that the number of trematode species the definitive hosts of which are fishes have decreased. According to the obtained data, the most abundant trematode species of freshwater molluscs in the Ukrainian Polissia are those of the families Echinostomatidae, Plagiorchiidae, Diplostomidae, and Notocotylidae. The combined analysis of literature and original data revealed that in the basis of the regional trematode fauna of molluscs are species of the families Echinostomatidae (13 species) and Plagiorchiidae (10 species), which make up almost one-third of the total number of trematode larvae detected. A quite large portion of larvae belong to species of the families Notocotylidae (8 species), Strigeidae (7 species), Diplostomidae (5 species), and Haematolechidae (5 species). Most families (Diplodiscidae, Opisthorchiidae, Leucochloridiomorphidae, Prostogonimidae, Cathaemasiidae, Cyclocoelidae, Prohemistomatidae, and others) are represented only by 1–2 species. In freshwater molluscs of the studied region, we have found only 38 % of trematode species recorded in definitive hosts. Species found in vertebrate animals of the region potentially can also occur in intermediate hosts, but most of these species parasitize in birds that could be infected in other areas. When comparing the taxonomic structure of the trematode fauna of the Polissia with other well-studied regions of Ukraine (Northern Pryazovia and Crimea), some specifics were noted between them. In particular, it was found that the most abundant trematode species in the region as well as in the whole of Ukraine are those of the families Echinostomatidae, Plagiorchiidae, Diplostomidae, Notocotylidae, and Strigeidae. The obtained data allow considering that the trematode fauna of freshwater gastropods of the Ukrainian Polissia is an integral part of the Central European fauna of trematodes.