Рotential threats of Kakhovka catastrophe to bird populations of different ecological groups
Authors: Shupova T. , Koniakin S. 
Published: March 2024

Any military action involves a number of risks for the existence of animals. In the event of the destruction of hydraulic structures, not only aquatic ecosystems usually suffer, but also the ecosystems of islands and banks. Undermining the dam of the Kakhovska hydroelectric power station had a wide range of negative impact on the life of animals. A number of its consequences manifested themselves immediately after the destruction of the dam connected with drainage of bottom sediments in some regions and flooding of the coast in others. But one should also expect the transformation of faunal complexes associated with long-term changes in the water regime, and in some regions with drying and moisture deficiency. The purpose of this work is to assess the species composition of birds whose populations will suffer population losses as a result of the Kakhovka catastrophe in the short and long term on a regional and global scale. The published lists of bird species for the territories affected by the Kakhovka catastrophe an analysis was made: for the Kakhovka reservoir, the 'Kinburn Kosa Regional Landscape Park, the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve; and for the registration of some rare species in the region. Questionable data was checked against an electronic database https://uabirds.org/. We assessed the species composition of birds whose populations may decrease in number as a result of the Kakhovka catastrophe in the near and long term. Problems of regional and global scale are considered. The status of residence and ecology of birds were taken into account. Birds affected as a result of the Kakhovka catastrophe were divided into 3 groups: І — 82 species — birds nesting in the region of the disaster and lost part of their populations this year. These are birds that build nests in aquatic vegetation, not high in trees, shrubs, on the ground on the islands; ІІ — 69 species — birds that will lose their habitats in the coming nesting seasons due to changes in the Dnieper channel, water regime and the development of devastation processes. These are limnophilous that inhabited the thickets of the coastline and the islands of the Dnieper; ІІІ — 121 species — birds that will lose habitats for feeding and shelter during migration and wintering. The number of not only populations that nest in Ukraine will suffer, but also those migrating from Europe and Asia. And a group of birds (33 species) that are unlikely to be affected. The catastrophe of the undermining of the dam of the Kakhovska hydroelectric power station harms the biodiversity and integrity of habitats on a large area of the banks of the lower reaches of the Dnieper. The effects of the disaster on natural communities will have a lasting impact. We predict a change in the biotopes of the existence of birds in the direction of degradation of wetlands and drainage of terrestrial ones, which will lead to a change in the species composition of birds in the region. Relevant in the future will be the study of the succession processes of ecosystems on the banks of the lower reaches of the Dnieper and changes in the communities of birds that inhabit them. The consequences of the catastrophe we have an impact on migratory bird species on a global scale.