Studies of the current state of anthropogenic transformation of the young river landscape of the Prut river (within Chernivtsi region)
Authors: Yushchenko Yurii , Pasichnyk Mykola , Bilokon Mykola , Nykolaiev Andrii , Mykytchyn Oksana 
Published: November 2020

For a long time, the problem of deterioration of the bed and floodplain (young river landscape) of the Prut River has attracted attention in practical, environmental and scientific terms. This applies to all components of the landscape, ecosystems. But the central, main problem is hydromorphological transformation, associated primarily with the extraction of river alluvium.

In recent decades the relevant research has been conducted.At the same time, negative processes continue to develop and require appropriate development of monitoring, database formation, understanding of the causes and patterns. In particular, the database should necessarily include data on the territorial structure of the river valley, the young river landscape. Thus, there is an urgent task to identify and assess the current state of the young river landscape of the Prut and systematize data on the patterns of processes of its hydromorphological transformation.

The purpose of the study is to systematize information on the main processes of anthropogenic impact and the corresponding processes of transformation of the hydromorphological basis of the young river landscape of the Prut within Chernivtsi region to identify their patterns, consequences and assess and, on this basis, their current state.

The object of research is the young river landscape of the Prut (within the Chernivtsi region), which develops on the basis of the riverbed and floodplain.

The subject of research - manifestations, patterns of consequences of anthropogenic transformation of the hydromorphological basis of the young landscape of the Prut River.

Methods, research procedure - hydromorphological analysis of the territorial structure of the river valley with the formation of a database of territorial landscape features in the form of homogeneous areas; systematic analysis of factors of anthropogenic transformation of the young river landscape; analysis of changes in the morphology of the riverbed and floodplain using GIS and GPS technologies.

The state of research in the context of the research. A number of scientific works had been devoted to the study of anthropogenic changes in the bed and floodplain of the Prut River. In particular, regarding changes in morphology, these are the works of Yu. Yushchenko, A. Kyrylyuk, M. Pasichnyk, M. Nastyuk [3,4,7,9,11]. An important issue of the study is to identify the territorial structure of the river hydromorphological landscape.This is one of the important tasks of riverbed science [10] and landscape studies. Relevant studies are conducted in relation to rivers and river valleys of the Uppon Prut system [5, 9, 11,12].

Conclusions.Threats from catastrophic floods are an important factor in shaping the relations between society and the Carpathian rivers. Flood protection programs have long been developed. An important element are the embankment dams. Currently, most dams perform their function quite well. Last but not least, this is due to the entrenchment of riverbed.

But this positive has a "bitter taste". In addition, an objective assessment of the effectiveness of flood protection and shore protection requires a thorough study of their entire history, which is the subject of a significant separate study.

The risk factor for floods has influenced not only the objective formation of the system of protection by society, but also the "not very correct" use of the concepts of "harmful effects of water" and the regulation of riverbeds. It is known that due to the entrenchment of riverbeds, engineering structures in their channels are destroyed. But the entrenchment of riverbeds, as we found out, is anthropogenically caused. What is the "harmful effect of water"? Processes in society are probably harmful…

The main factor in the anthropogenic transformation of the hydromorphological basis of the young landscape of the Prut River was the selection of alluvium from the riverbed. This led to a significant entrenchment of the river, especially in places of picking of river sediments (over 4 meters), and an increase in the relative height of floodplains with a corresponding transformation of their hydrological regime and other consequences. When the river entrenchment happened, the riverbed and the flow move to a lower hypsometric level and the objective laws of the flow-channel system begin to appear on it. These are the laws of formation and development of certain forms, the laws of hydromorphology.

This includes the development of so-called intra-riverbed forms, and the development of riverbed forms (branches, meanders). It can also lead to conflicts with human interests: erosion of shores, coastal areas, buildings, etc. In such conditions, protective control work is really needed. But they can and should be carried out without the selection of river alluvium, which is not always in the case. By selecting alluvium again, we are only exacerbating the problem. Thus, it would seem that fair ideas of protection against dangerous phenomena and regulation of the flow-channel system are actually used incorrectly and lead to a worsening of the situation. A dangerous anthropogenic geomorphological process is developing.

According to all methods of assessing the state of the hydromorphological basis of the landscape for the Prut River, estimates of "very bad" or "pre-crisis state" were obtained.