Centre for Studies of Ecosystems, Climate Change and Sustainable Development

About

Head: Iryna Vyshenska

PhD in Biology Science, Associate Professor,

Building 3, Office 208

tel. (044) 425-60-57, (044) 425-51-88,

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The center was established in December, 2008. The purpose of its creation lies in its main activities:

Conducting research in the fields of natural and artificial ecosystems, phytocenology, plant ecology, landscape ecology, global climate change, sustainable development;
Technical, informational and methodological support for the curriculum and for the research work of the students of BA, MA and PhD programs in ecology;
Preparation of academic research and educational publications;
International academic cooperation.

Research

The main research directions of the Center:

energy flows and sustainability of natural ecosystems ;
the influence of anthropogenic factors and climate change on ecosystems;
bioindication of the condition and the processes in natural ecosystems;
sustainability.

Within the academic research field of the Center, a research school of synecology and synphytoindication is being developed
(founder: Ya. P. Didukh, PhD in Biology Science, Professor, Corresponding Member of NAS of Ukraine.)

Research topics performed at the Center:

1.Topic: "Prognostic modeling of the dynamics of energy flows of zonal ecosystems in Ukraine under conditions of climate change."

Head: Vyshenska, Iryna Heorhiyivna, Associate Professor

Completion Period: 01.2015-12.2016.

Registration Number in UkrISTEI: 0115U000389.

Objective: Prediction of the dynamics of energy flows in zonal plant communities (phytocenosises) in Ukraine in view of the long-term changes in climatic factors (temperature, dynamics of rainfall, their relationship).

In 2015, the Center conducted a comparative analysis of basic mathematical models for prognostic modeling of ecosystems under the climate change. There also were selected the models which to the fullest extent reflect the changes in the functioning of the natural ecosystems, and, above all, show their productivity.

During the field experiments the researchers estimated the biomass growth rates in the forest and steppe ecosystems. The analysis proved that the net primary productivity of plant communities in The Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova" depends on the amount of rainfall.

2. Topic: "Estimating of the impact of regional climate change on the ecosystems and identifying the risks of adverse effects with the use of remote sondage data and the ground spectroscopy, gasometric and hydro meteorological measurements."

Head (On the part of NaUKMA): Vyshenska, Iryna Heorhiyivna, Associate Professor

Completion Period: 09.2015-12.2015.

Registration Number in UkrISTEI: 0115U005583с.

Objective:

To estimate the impact of climate change on the ecosystems using the materials of the space and ground data spectroscopy, gasometric filming techniques, synphytoindication methodology;
develop recommendations to prevent the risks of possible adverse effects.

Research results:

The research studies were carried out at the sites in different zones of Ukraine (forest, forest and steppe, steppe) that represent different habitat types. The field measurements and decoding of the satellite images allowed to create large-scale maps of the studied areas of the natural habitats.

Field measurements of the carbon cycle were conducted, in particular CO2 absorption for the agro-ecosystems for the following types of agricultural crops: winter wheat, sunflower, corn, soybean, and sugar beet.

Geobotanical descriptions of the grounds and the synphytoindicational techniques made it possible to estimate the quantitative impact measurements of the leading eco factors. There was also estimated the relationship between those factors and plant communities.

Resulting from the experimental studies, there were developed recommendations on how to preserve the habitats of the studied regions on Ukraine in terms of global environmental and climate changes.

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