PROTECTING URBAN BIODIVERSITY BY DEVELOPING URBAN ECO-NETWORKS

 

https://doi.org/10.31073/ecobezpeka202507-10

 

Radomska M. M.

 Huz V. V.

State University Kyiv Aviation Institute

 

 

    This paper presents an analysis of the current issues of biodiversity conservation in urban areas with a primary focus on the development of eco-networks. Artificial structures span through and beyond cities, creating obstacles to the mobility, reproduction, and survival of the animals. Urban biodiversity is crucial for the functioning of an ecosystem. Thus, its degradation imposes risks to the well-being of the citizens. The purpose of this research is to analyze the current trends in eco-networks development in cities around the world and take into account their specific features while adapting this experience to the Ukrainian condition. Eco-networks of five cities outside the European continent, as well as preliminary designs made for four Ukrainian cities, were studied and generalized to formulate an efficient protection strategy for biodiversity in Ukrainian cities. The majority of the used research works were built on spatial analysis, aided by GIS, and spatial parameters synthesis. A major issue for the functional ability of the urban eco-networks is a lack of connectivity, which is managed differently in the studied cases, with the key differences being: the use of barren lands, constructing green roofs and small squares, legal land withdrawal from the practical use or the addition of wildlife safety parameters to the patches of urban agricultural lands. It is shown that Ukrainian cities have begun working on assessing their eco-networks and determining hotspots for connectivity. The practical part of the work involved developing an eco corridors project for the city of Kyiv. The analysis of the most important threats to biodiversity on the city grounds was conducted, and core areas were defined. Four corridors, as well as additional elements of green infrastructure to fill the available gaps, were offered based on a spatial analysis. Additionally, the prospects of expanding green areas in northern districts of Kyiv were considered and implemented in the general eco-network structure.

Keywords: fragmentation, eco corridors, urban environment