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For the first time in the Ukrainian Polissia and the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve (ChREBR), a concentrated linear distribution of bear-marked spruce trees was found at the abandoned estates of the village of Opachychi along the second terrace of the Prypiat River floodplain. Individual sightings of bears (Ursus arctos) in the Ukrainian Polissia have been known since the 1990s, but there are no reliable data on the reproduction of this species. The abundance of bears in Belarus has increased in recent years, which leads to the possibility of females coming to the Polissia from the north. Dried spruce trees without resin were not marked by the bear, and the animal moved on to live trees. Friction and more intensive marking of trees was recorded mainly in the eastern direction. Most of the marked spruce trees were upright with no branches to the height of the marking. The intensive marking behaviour of bears in 2023 in the ChREBR can be considered as the appearance of a female, as signalling to a female, and as a sign of dominance towards a male competitor. Two adult males were observed near one of the marked trees (data from amateurs). Special field surveys are needed to identify females with cubs to confirm or refute the hypothesis that the intensity of bear marking can be used in the event of the presence of a female bear in oestrus. Along the bear-marked trees in the village of Opachychi of the ChPEBR, an ecological trail and a visitor centre of large carnivores and herbivores should be created, which would be popular destinations. It is advisable to arrange a location for wildlife observations in an abandoned house for photo and video shooting, as is usually done in Sweden, Bulgaria, Romania, and Spain. In such tours, the effectiveness of the observation is not guaranteed and only preliminary statistics of wildlife encounters are provided. For this purpose, it is advisable to create two feeding areas for predatory mammals with dry food, as well as a salt marsh and a feeding trough for ungulates. The majority of the ChREBR territory has a low incidence of markings. The bear in the Polissia, as elsewhere in Europe, is expanding its range naturally, but at a slow pace due to the low intensity of female dispersal. Tree marking by bears was also observed in Chernihiv Oblast, in the Mizhrichynskyi Regional Landscape Park. It is advisable to release several bears in the ChEBR to create a reproductive centre for this species in the Polissia.

In the latter less hot years after the decline in the number of elk (2019–2020), the stabilisation and increasing trend in the number of this species have been observed throughout the study area. Due to migrations, the winter elk population exceeds the summer one and amounts to 2 individuals/thousand hectares (40 individuals; against 1.3 individuals/1 thousand hectares in summer) in the Polissia Reserve, and 1–6 individuals/1 thousand hectares (940 individuals) in the Chornobyl Reserve. Data on the vulnerability of elk to climate change are presented. In hot weather at different times of the year, elks may show signs of heat stress. In summer, elk can be inactive, and in the leafless period, when chased by wolves, they can get heat stress and die. In the heat of the day, elk choose swamps, waterlogged forests with a dense tree canopy and better cooling, which are comfortable for these ungulates in the face of global warming. Climate change causes marshes to dry up and overgrow, reduces the moisture content of habitats, and worsens the fodder capacity of the land. In case of even partial restoration of lowland marshes in the Chornobyl Biosphere Reserve, the reserves of summer and winter food for elk may increase by 2–3 times. In the Polissia Reserve, in 2011–2013, lowland bogs with bush willows (Salix) were restored on fallow land near the Zholobnytsia drainage system, creating highly productive habitats for the elk, which is a promising measure for different areas of Polissia. Climate warming has led to an increase in the red deer (Cervus elaphus) population and a decrease in the elk population in the Polissia, and if no special measures are taken, these trends will intensify. Outside of protected areas, given the lack of a high legal status for wolves (Canis lupus), a strategy for conserving the elk population and reducing predation mortality in combination with other elk habitat management strategies can be recommended to hunting ground users, including limiting poaching, restoring the natural regime of forest fires in reserves, improving winter provision of branch fodder, reducing the disturbance factor, and introducing a ban on staying in the forest with dogs for berry and mushroom pickers.

The history of theriological research in the territory of Polissia from the 19th century to the present is considered (authors, works, and contributions to the study of the mammal fauna of the region). A review of the most significant publications on the theriofauna of the Polissia region is presented. The material is considered in chronological order, in four sections: ‘The period before systematic collectings’ (from the 19th century to 1920), ‘The period of field expeditionary research’ (1920–1940), ‘The resumption of theriological research at a new level’ (1945–1970), ‘Period of detailed stationary studies’ (1971–2000), ‘Modern stage of research’ (from 2001 to the present). A list of the most famous researchers of Polissia is given in accordance with the proposed periodization. The authors conclude that the number of studies and publications for the analysed period is connected, first, with state projects for the economic development of this territory (the construction of the Brest–Moscow railway at the end of the 19th century, large-scale land reclamation of Polissia throughout almost the entire 20th century). The key role of A. V. Fedyushin and I. N. Serzhanin for the development of theriological research is noted. The role of nature reserves created in the Chernobyl territory in the study of the mammal fauna of this region is discussed. The complete list of Polissia mammals including 80 species is given. It is concluded that the Polissia theriofauna has not been fully studied (insectivores, bats, and rodents). The theriological studies in the regions of Polissia were carried out unevenly: from single visits and local expeditions to stationary and long-term monitoring studies. The insufficient level of theriological monitoring and, as a result, the lack of proper analysis of changes in mammal assemblages are indicated. The existing scientific collections, where specimens of mammals from Polissia are stored, are not catalogued into a single database and are difficult to study. In Belarus, theriologists are divided and do not have a common platform for the exchange of information and experience. The positive experience of Ukrainian colleagues in the creation and maintenance of the long-term activity of the Theriological School is presented.

New and previous data on patterns of the geographical distribution of the Eurasian lynx in the Ukrainian part of Polissia is summarised with attention to the estimates of distribution limits of the species. Inventory data for five groups of locations—Volyn–Rivne group, Zhytomyr Polissia, Chornobyl zone, Dniprо–Desna interfluve (Mizhrichia), and Chernihiv Polissia—are given, respectively 15, 25, 14, 12, and 13 records (80 in total). Important information, which does not contain accurate inventory data though characterises the distribution of the species, primarily in relation to the west of Polissia and the Chornobyl zone, for which there are many new publications, is also commented. The growth of the Polissian lynx population is naturally accompanied by the expansion of its distribution limits and, in fact, the restoration of the former Polissian range of the species in general. This process, however, significantly limits poaching—both because of the undesirability of living with a predator (i.e. persecution) and because of hunting (i.e. trophy hunting). A high rate of lynx deaths is shown, and in some regions a significant proportion of records (in particular, in the left-bank Polissia and throughout the southern distribution of the species in the region) are based on reports of animals caught by hunters (9 records). Taking into account the range of the species in the Polissia and the specifics of its current configuration, the article considers the importance of modern biogeographical coordinates in the distribution of the species, compares these boundaries with the previously established boundaries of the Polissia subprovince, and shows the growing significance of coordinates of anthropogenic origin, in particular large highways. In particular, the range limit of the species in the central part of the Polissia is determined by the highway M07, whereas in eastern Polissia by the M01+M02 routes, which generally outlines the Desna River. In all cases, we can talk about the process of restoration of the Polissian range of the lynx, but essentially all attempts of the species to ‘do so’ end in the death of colonist individuals. Practically being the last ‘indicative’ mammal species of the Polissia, the lynx has now actually lost this role and is unable to restore its former range; therefore, the current limits of its distribution are not natural.

The Peace of Riga 1921 has caused substantial changes that are still commonly discussing in historical science and has become an important aspect of numerous researches due to the theme of the Polish-Soviet War’s end. It has been identified that the regional administrative structure and the whole structure of daily life of the Olevsk Borderline inhabitants have undergone a big change. This article represents the study of the consequences of the Polish-Soviet War in 1919–1920 which took its strong influence on the regional phenomenon of the Olevsk Borderline and its inhabitants in part of this. The main themes which were described in the research are the regional administrative and legal system changes in this time in the territories of Volyn’ and Polissia. We mainly focuse on the changes which led to a nascency of the Olevsk Borderline. In late 1919 and early 1920s, the Bolsheviks occupation system was established on the lands of Ukraine by a new government. That process was accompanied by great violence which meant both political internal battles in Volyn’s province during the persistence of large-scale military action. As the result of the war, this territory became a frontier area and was divided into two parts due to the diplomatic contract. Some villages and towns were integrated by Poland and others became the part of Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic. The aggressive substance of the Soviet power had a negative impact on the population of that region. The use of complex analysis of the historical sources and the historiography revealed the consequences of the Riga Peace 1921 for the Olevsk Borderline in the early 1920s years. In particular, we show what changes occurred in both parts of the frontier after that administrative-territorial reforming processes in Soviet Ukraine and Poland. The paper includes recent results obtained by the usage of general scientific and special historical methods.

The issue of survey, monitoring, and protection of the lynx in the Ukrainian Polissia based on the results of research carried out in 2013–2021 is considered. European census methods do not include the identification of traces of territorial individuals and of those that disperse. Lynx family groups living along the border or at the border of land users should be accounted for 50 % of the established number, so that there is no double counting. The use of photo traps to identify lynx individuals in the wild and then to establish the total lynx population is less effective and more costly than traditional trace-based techniques. Even in the absence of snow, repeated surveys on trails (five visits to the territory with intervals of at least a week), it is possible to establish the presence of almost all individuals of the lynx in the selected area. The reasons for the decline in the number of species in 2015–2017 from 80–100 to 40 individuals and the prospects for effective management of the Polissia population in the future are considered. The number of lynx in 2015–2017 in the Ukrainian Polissia decreased significantly and was at a minimum level for a short time. Since 2018, there has been a gradual increase in the number, especially rapid in the period 2019–2021. The decline in the number of the species in 2015–2017 indicates the need to create a national lynx action plan in Ukraine. The presence of a strong Baltic lynx population north of the Ukrainian Polissia, specifics of territorial distribution of forests, river network, forestless territories, including the Ovruch-Slovenian ridge, create clear eco-corridors in the Ukrainian Polissia for such forest-dwelling species as the lynx. As of 2021, fluctuations in predator-prey systems (wolf, lynx vs deer, wild boar, beaver) have apparently stopped and a new dynamic equilibrium has been established between these species. The lynx has recently proved that it is able to survive even in an anthropogenically altered landscape with a relatively high level of economic activity, which allows the well-being of the population of this species to be predicted in Ukraine.

Background. The Eurasian Pygmy-owl Glaucidium passerinum (Linnaeus, 1758) is a rare and poorly studied species in Ukraine. It is listed in the Red Data book of Ukraine [2]. Its breeding locations can be found in the Carpathians, Roztochia and Polissia. There are insufficient data the on distribution and current state of abundance of Eurasian Pygmy-owl as well as breeding biology of the species on the territory of Polissia. Materials and Methods. The published data, internet sources, and unpublished materials of colleagues were used in addition to our own observations. Special studies were conducted on permanent study sites in Polissia Nature Reserve (Olevsk and Ovruch districts, Zhytomyr region) and Desniansko-Starohutskyi National Nature Park (Seredyno-Buda district, Sumy region). Small expeditions were organized to other locations within Polissia. Studies of this species were conducted in conjunction with the study of other owl species. They included surveys, behavioral observations, and eco­logy studies. During the surveys, the registrations on the routes of natural voca­lization of adult owls were made at twilight and at night; in cases when natural vocali­za­tion was absent, the recordings of mating calls of males and females were played [1]. The maximum distance of species registration by calling (500 m) was used for breeding density estimation. Results. During the breeding period, the Eurasian Pygmy-owl was found in all regions of Polissia. The southern boundary of that area lies near the villages Perebrody, Dubrovytsia district [12] – Karasyn, Sarny district [12] – Kochychyne, Yemilchyn district – Lypnyky, Luhyny district – Velyki Klishchi, Narodychi district – Stavrovka, Ivankiv district. The second site of regular breeding is the territory of Desniansko-Starohutskyi National Nature Park, where the species has been detected since 1996 [13]. For the first time, on the territory of Polissia, two nests in Zhytomyr and Sumy regions were found. For the first time in Ukraine, the clutch was measured. Behavioral observations of owls in breeding sites were conducted. Food remains were collected and identified. Conclusions. The Eurasian Pygmy-owl is a breeding species in Ukrainian Polissia. The average breeding density in Polissia is 5.8 pairs/100 sq. km. The permanent bree­ding range was identified; it covers the northeastern part of Rivne region, the northern part of Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions, the northeastern part of Chernihiv region and the northern part of Sumy region, on the area of 18.1 thousand sq. km. The estimated bree­ding population of this species is 330 pairs. During the mating season, there are two peaks of natural 24-hour vocalization activity: in the evening and morning twilight. In the evening, males often begin to call 30 min after sunset, in the morning – 30 min before sunrise. In the autumn-winter period, birds either stay within their breeding areas or migrate, flying outside the breeding habitats. The increase in the number of registrations is due to special surveys taking into account the narrow interval of 24-hour natural vocalization acti­vity in the twilight period and the use of phonogram reproduction techniques.

Copyright of Res Humanitariae is the property of Res Humanitariae and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Vegetation of Isoëto-Nano-Juncetea class has been investigated in the Sluch River valley within the forest-steppe zone. We distinguished three associations belonging to Verbenion supinae (Pulicario vulgaris-Menthetum pulegii Slavnić 1951), Eleocharition ovatae (Cyperetum micheliani Horvatić 1931 and Veronico anagalloidis-Lythretum hyssopifoliae Wagner ex Holzner 1973) alliances. The floristic composition of these syntaxa, is rich in diagnostic species of Bidentetea tripartitae and Phragmito-Magnocaricetea classes, which could indicate a transition to more sustainable communities in the succession row. Our current work is a small portion of a large task to clarify the location of 'hot spots' across the overall diversity of Isoëto-Nano-Juncetea, and to identify where and how this diversity can be maintained best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 30 years since the Chornobyl nuclear power plant disaster, there is evidence of persistent levels of incorporated ionizing radiation in adults, children and pregnant women in the surrounding area. Measured levels of Cesium-137 vary by region, and may be influenced by dietary and water sources as well as proximity to nuclear power plants. Since 2000, comprehensive, population-based birth defects monitoring has been performed in selected regions of Ukraine to evaluate trends and to generate hypotheses regarding potential causes of unexplained variations in defect rates. Significantly higher rates of microcephaly, neural tube defects, and microphthalmia have been identified in selected regions of Ukraine collectively known as Polissia compared to adjacent regions collectively termed non-Polissia, and these significantly higher rates were evident particularly in the years 2000–2009. The Polissia regions have also demonstrated higher mean whole body counts of Cesium-137 compared to values in individuals residing in other non-Polissia regions. The potential causal relationship between persistent ionizing radiation pollution and selected congenital anomaly rates supports the need for a more thorough, targeted investigation of the sources of persistent ionizing radiation and the biological plausibility of a potential teratogenic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Res Humanitariae is the property of Res Humanitariae and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background Investigations soon after the 1986 Chornobyl (Chernobyl in Russian) accident of exposed populations residing elsewhere in Europe led government and international agencies to conclude that exposures to cesium-137 (Cs-137) were not teratogenic. Our observations of elevated population rates of neural tube defects (NTDs) and microcephaly and microphthalmia (M/M) in the Rivne Province in Ukraine, which were among the highest in Europe, prompted this follow-up investigation inclusive of whole-body counts (WBCs) of Cs-137 among ambulatory patients and pregnant women residing in Polissia, the most polluted region in Rivne. Methods Yearly (2000-2012) population rates of NTDs and M/M and WBC patterns of ambulatory patients (2001-2010) and pregnant women (2011-2013) in Polissia and non-Polissia regions of Rivne were analyzed. Results The NTD and M/M population rates in Rivne remain elevated and are statistically significantly higher in Polissia than in non-Polissia. The WBCs among residents in Polissia are statistically significantly higher than among those from non-Polissia. Conclusion NTD and M/M rates are highest in the Polissia region of Rivne and are among the highest in Europe. In Polissia, the WBCs of Cs-137 are above officially set permissible upper limits. The results are based on aggregate data of NTDs and M/Ms and average WBC values. Further investigations of causality of the high rates of NTDs and M/Ms are needed and urgent strengthening policies and implementations to reduce exposures to teratogens, in particular radioactive nuclides and alcohol, and consumption of folic acid supplements are indicated. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:194-200, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biotopic and seasonal distributions of the naked amoeba species related to the specific morphotypes were analyzed on the territory of Zhytomyr and Volyn Polissya. It was demonstrated that the polytactic and, to some extent, rugose and branched morphotypes of naked amoebas have the adaptive significance and could have emerged as a result of adaptation to characteristic conditions of oligotrophic lakes. In turn, the formation of lanceolate morphotype may be associated with the adaptation to low water temperatures, whereas the formation of flamellian morphotype may be an adaptation to high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]