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The article analyses survey data of small mammals collected by the method of live trapping on two trap lines, the dynamics of beaver numbers in one of the colonies, and random encounters of roadkill mammals in the Homilshanski Lisy National Nature Park and nearby areas. The data were collected in 2015–2022 during field research. Small mammals were studied on the second, pine barren terrace of the Siverskyi Donets River. Two trap lines (trapping trenches with five traps in each, made of two-litre PET bottles) were laid in the pine forest. The first was in an undamaged area of the forest, and the second was in an area damaged by a grassland fire in 2005 and currently undergoing natural forest ecosystem restoration. A total of six species of small mammals were recorded during the survey period, including Sylvaemus uralensis, Myodes glareolus, Sylvaemus tauricus, Mus musculus, Sorex araneus, Crocidura suaveolens, as well as an unidentified Sylvaemus sp. The research has shown that, during the years of peak numbers, not only the abundance of individual species increases, but also the number of recorded species. The beaver colony, where the surveys were conducted, is located in a floodplain on the left bank of the Siverskyi Donets River in a system of three small lakes interconnected by channels. There are also seasonal peaks in the numbers of roadkill species. In total, 17 species have been recorded dead on the roads, which is almost a third of all mammalian species of the Homilshanski Lisy National Nature Park (as of 2020, 60 species have been registered in the Park). It was found that there is a positive correlation between population increase in different groups of mammals and the frequency of deaths of different groups of mammals and the number of species killed on roads. We identified the places where certain anthropogenic factors (poaching, road repairs) are superimposed on natural phenomena and how this affects the state of fauna protection in the National Nature Park. In general, the population dynamics of mammals over the years correlates with the dynamics of encounters of roadkill birds, reptiles, and amphibians, which we also studied during this period. We have proposed a number of recommendations for developing a strategy for the protection of various species in the National Nature Park and its protected area: measures to reduce the risk of animal death on highways.

The article presents the results of long-term monitoring of muroid rodent populations in the protected steppe of the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve (Ukraine), which lasted from 1981 to 2020, i.e., for almost 30 years. Detailed descriptions of the population dynamics of representatives of two families are presented: the family Cricetidae (four of seven species present in the region) and the family Muridae (three of four species present in the region). The descriptions include data on Cricetulus migratorius, Lagurus lagurus, Microtus socialis, and Microtus levis from the family Cricetidae, and Sylvaemus witherbyi, Mus musculus, and Mus spicilegus from the family Muridae. Detailed data series on the numbers of each species in their main types of habitats (primarily the typical steppe), on the age-sex structure of their populations, distribution of females in reproductive groups, etc. are presented. For some species, the age structure was also analysed by size parameters (primarily by measurements of mandibles from pellets of the barn owl). It was shown that all these species form stable populations, which is ensured by their short life cycle and several reproductive periods per year. A high level of presence was shown for the steppe-specific Cricetulus migratorius, as Lagurus lagurus was recorded almost exclusively in pellets and was virtually absent in trappings, but since 1998 this species has disappeared in pellets. The species Microtus levis was recorded irregularly at the study site with intervals of 10–11 years. In Microtus socialis, population declines, when animals were not trapped at all, lasted for less than two years, and this species occasionally showed population outbreaks. Muridae species are also highly abundant, with Mus musculus inhabiting all biotopes, Mus spicilegus avoiding urban areas, and Sylvaemus witherbyi, though widespread, being rarely found in populated areas. Their populations are characterised by significant fluctuations, ranging from prolonged declines to sharp peaks. Intensive reproduction of all Muridae species occurred in spring, and then pregnant females were found throughout the summer and until mid-autumn, so populations of all Muridae species were periodically replenished with young individuals, which compensated for the short life cycle of these animals.

Visual survey of colonies of hibernating bats is a traditional research method. The data obtained using this method serve as a basis for determining population trends. These data are especially important for protected areas that ensure the protection and conservation of species and their key habitats. The Ivankivtsi adits (IVK-mines) are located in the territory of the Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park (in the protected zone of the national park). The site is a system of adits and mines used for machine mining of sawn limestone. This area is also part of the European Emerald Network. The IVK-mines are listed as a key underground site for the conservation of European bat species. The monitoring of wintering bat communities at the IVK-mines has continued for about 20 years. Surveys are conducted annually, but mostly only the entrance parts of the adits are covered (about 50% of the site’s total area). Every few years, total bat counts are carried out throughout the entire mine system. The previous total bat count at the IVK-mines was conducted in 2009 (15 years ago). In January 2024, a repeated total survey of bats was conducted. According to its results, 5967 bats belonging to 12 species were recorded. Compared to the previous total count, the increase in numbers is about +60%. The dominant species by number is Barbastella barbastellus. The western barbastelle has been forming a large winter aggregation for 15 years, which in 2024 comprised about 2000 individuals. Other barbastelles are found in smaller groups (10 to 200 individuals) and as single individuals. Studies of winter aggregations of European bats show significant fluctuations in the numbers of bats between surveys of several years, indicating that environmental factors that affect hibernation strategies mask real population trends. In addition, climate change creates opportunities for cold-loving species to hibernate outside of their main roosts, such as in tree hollows, which makes it difficult to understand and interpret bat survey data. This phenomenon is obviously observed in the IVK-mines. Therefore, an important condition for improving the understanding of real trends in the population dynamics of species will be the transition to more modern and high-quality survey and monitoring methods of winter aggregations of bats and their hibernation, particularly via automatic survey systems using light barriers.

The Black Sea steppes and particularly the steppe–field area between the Velykyi Kuyalnyk and Southern Bug rivers, delineated from the north by the valley of the Kodyma River, are a natural arena for the existence of two species of mole rats, which still inhabit fields, virgin steppe areas, ravines and river valleys. The materials of the article are the result of long-term (1989–2023) studies of the steppe biota of this territory, which has an area of 15 559 km2. The habitats of mole rats, found by characteristic molehills, do not allow species differentiation, so all mole rats are provisionally assigned to two species— Spalax leucodon (west of Tiligul) and Spalax zemni (east of Tiligul). The habitats of mole rats are distinguished by stationarity for decades, but the seasonal-stationary manifestation of burrowing activity is unstable—the main share of ‘fresh’ emissions in the fields falls on May–June and October–December. The main reserves of the species are meadow areas of river valleys and ravines, which are not subject to flooding. The highest concentration of mole rats was found in the valleys of Tylihul (from the village of Andriyevo-Ivanove down to the town of Berezivka) and Velykyi Kuyalnyk (from the town of Shiryaevo to the village of Severynivka). In the agricultural landscape, in particular in fields (winter and old ploughing), the locations of mole rats are scattered sporadically, gravitating towards river valleys. Thus, field locations on the eastern outskirts of Odesa essentially extend the Sudlymansko–Kuyalnytsia strip of the subarea to the sea coast. At the same time, the nature and activity of burrowing activities of mole rats has a pronounced stationary-biotopic dependence on the level of their food supply. Thus, the ‘chains’ of soil emissions in winter crops, on old ploughing and rolled up crops of spring crops are always long (36–45 m) and combine 28–60 molehills. Similar ‘chains’ in the natural habitats of river valleys, ravines, along the edges of forest belts and near roads are always short (6–11 m) and each time are represented by only 3–5 molehills. Preservation of the main reserves in river valleys from the threat of further anthropogenic transformation is the main means of protecting mole rats within the Southern Steppe.

An analysis of invasions and expansions of mammals in the Siversky Donets basin and adjacent areas is presented. Data on population and range the dynamics of habitats and the number of semi-aquatic mammals of two groups are given. The first group includes alien species that were introduced and had previously been unknown in the fauna of not only the region, but also Ukraine in general: muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), coypu (Myocastor coypus), American mink (Neogale vison), and raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). The second group includes local invaders, which nowadays are expanding their range, inhabiting the river and its tributaries: Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra). The maps presented show the process of animal spread in the region, indicating the places of introduction, directions of expansion, and known registrations. For local invaders, the territory of their natural habitat at the time of the start of acclimatiszation (for Castor fiber) or expansion to steppe regions (for Lutra lutra) is indicated. Population dynamics of all the species considered was analysed using data from the State Statistical Reporting, for the period from 1984 to 2021, and also monitoring data of other investigators for the pre-war period (until February 2022). The results of the statistical analysis show that populations of the the number of introduced species of mammals increases increased rapidly from the time of their appearance in the composition of the fauna, after which their numbers began to decreases. Also, a number of factors were noted that over a certain period of time exerted had an additional influence on the population dynamics of several certain alien mammal species of mammals. Data on long term dynamics of local invaders show that, along with the expansion of animals to new areas and increase in their abundance, a decrease of their numbers in areas of their historical distribution took place, such as in the case of Lutra lutra. Concerning the distribution and abundance of Castor fiber, an ambiguous situation has appeared: the state of its populations in some steppe areas is better than in the forest areas, where its number abundance is decreasing. Information on the distribution and population state of the studied species based on OSINT-analysis, author’s data and questionnaire surveys are presented. The results of introduction of the studied species are discussed.

At the time of the creation of the Mykhailivska Tsilyna Nature Reserve (1928), it was a completely forestless steppe area with an area of 202.2 hectares. Presumably, 17 mammal species from 11 families and 5 orders were distributed in its territory, and 1 species (steppe marmot) had already disappeared. Of them, 8 species belonged to the steppe faunal core, 3 species were confined to floodplain meadows, and 6 species were widespread. Fifteen species occurred permanently and two species were recorded with a varying frequency. In the early 1950s, substantial changes took place in and around the nature reserve. A ditch was dug around the perimeter of the reserve and a forest belt was planted. Two much bigger and deeper ponds were created on the site of a small pond. A house and a brick stable were built on the steppe area, and apple trees and an alley of ornamental shrubs were planted. After the reserve was granted republican status in 1947, its environmental protection regime changed, and this had a notable impact on the vegetation. After grazing and mowing were banned, a thick layer of dead plant remains on the ground surface, reaching 5–10 cm in thickness, appeared in most of the reserve’s territory. At that time, an absolute protected regime was established on an area of about 100 hectares. The rest of the area was periodically mowed. In the early 1980s, the ponds were heavily overgrown with aquatic and wetland vegetation, and the banks were overgrown with trees and bushes. Fish were introduced into the ponds. The woody vegetation in the forest belt also grew substantially and became dense. Since 1998, the nature protection regime in the reserve has changed: the ‘periodically mowed steppe’ was mown annually for four years, and there was a break in the fifth year. All this affected the fauna and mammal population of the reserve. In 2009, the area of the reserve was increased to 880 hectares. As a result, a pond (300 x 33 m) appeared in its territory, located near the village of Stepove. A small pond (70 x 12 m) was formed in a ravine in the northern part of the reserve because of the activity of beavers. As of 2023, 24 mammal species from 16 families and 5 orders were recorded here. Of them, 4 species belong to steppe species, 2 to hydrophilic species, 5 to forest species, 12 species are widespread, and there is 1 synanthropic species. Eighteen species occur permanently in the reserve, five species visit the reserve regularly, and one synanthropic species settles in during the warm period of the year.

An analysis of the history of introduction, population growth and extinction of the European rabbit populations in Ukraine is presented. The history of the initial and subsequent introductions of the species, which were initiated in the northern Black Sea region about 140 years ago, is considered in detail. The centres of introductions were the balka systems near Kherson and the slopes of seaside estuaries near Odesa. The earliest dates of introductions are 1882 and 1894 in the Kherson region and 1898 and 1900 in Odesa region, later in other regions. There are contradictions in determining the status of introduced animals as to whether they were domestic or wild rabbits. The details of the earliest introductions and the subsequent fate of populations by region are considered: for Odesa, Ternopil, Poltava, and Mykolaiv oblasts, and for the Crimea. Attempts to describe the general range of the European rabbit in Ukraine are ana-lysed, including reviews of 1973 and 1994. The cadastre of recent (1960–1990) and modern (since 2000) finds of the species in Ukraine was compiled. In the cadastre, the data is summarized for seven regions: Odesa Oblast (14 locations), Mykolaiv Oblast (1), Kherson Oblast (4), Zaporizhia Oblast (2), Crimea (8), other regions of Right-bank Ukraine (3), other regions of Left-bank Ukraine (3). All such data are marked on a map. The cadastre includes also collection materials; NMNH (Kyiv) houses 81 specimens, including 27 specimens of the wild form from Odesa, 5 from Kherson Oblast, and 49 from Crimea. Four aspects of the European rabbit’s occurrence in Ukraine are discussed, particularly the limits of species range, type habitats, population decline in the 1980s–1990s, and factors that impacted the extinction of populations. Among the latter, evidence is given in favour of three factors: epizootics, overhunting, and climate change; each of them is an important factor in the existence and disappearance of a species. Finally, information on modern remnants of former colonies, which actually survived only thanks to artificial support, is considered: the outskirts of Odesa, Mezhyhiria, and some other regions with local introductions within individual hunting farms mainly in the forest-steppe zone. The prospects for the further existence of the species that has gone through a difficult path from being a successfully introduced species to a species that has almost completely disappeared are considered.

The results of the surveys and data on biotopic distribution of common hamster burrows in the vicinity of the Medobory Nature Reserve were collected and summarised. In order to study the abundance and density of hamsters, two monitoring sites were established. The first is in the fields between the village of Butsyky and the town of Hrymailiv, and the second is on a farming field in the town of Hrymailiv, where since 2013 the number of common hamster burrows have been recorded in the autumn period of the year. Homestead plots and small-scale plantations of agricultural crops were surveyed using the transect method by one or two investigators. During nine years of research, 170 living burrows were found on the first site, which covers an area of about 10 hectares, and only 7 on the second site, which is located on a farm field. The majority of living burrows were recorded on crops of 3 to 4-year-old alfalfa. An increase in the number of burrows was observed in 2015 and 2019. Additional research was carried out in separate gardens with alfalfa in the vicinity of the town of Hrymailiv, the villages of Lezhanivka, Lychkivtsi, Zelene, and Paivka, and in farm fields, where 52 living burrows were recorded. Separate data were obtained from observation cards of reserve workers and by surveying the local population. The largest colony was found in the village of Lychkivtsi in 2021 in a garden with a four-year-old alfalfa plantation of 0.3 ha, and there were 16 settlements there (3 to 5 burrows per settlements). During nine years of observation, live animals were found only twice: in the village of Butsyky in 2013 (two individuals in a field in fodder beet crops) and near Lezhanivka in 2019 (one individual in a disced rapeseed field, during stork foraging). Usually, they are recorded dead: killed by predators or killed by motor vehicle collisions. Taking into account the distribution of burrows by biotopes, it is worth noting that the decline in the number of hamsters is the result of a decrease in agricultural land area suitable for their existence. The exception is the years 2019–2020, when their number began to increase rapidly, the cause of which could be the mass death of foxes that occurred as a result of poisoning by mouse-like rodents in farm fields in 2018, which served as their food base. As for the animals of the dark morph, their share in the population is no more than 10%, and they often become victims too, since their colouration is clearly visible in their living environs.

According to the literature, there are several isolated range segments of Microtus socialis across the Palearctic, within which the distribution of the species has mosaic pattern. The westernmost range segment is located in the south of Ukraine covering steppe areas of the Crimea and southern Ukraine and stretching from the lower reaches of the Dnipro to Melitopol in the east and to Dnipro in the north. The social vole is represented in this centre of distribution by the subspecies Microtus socialis nikolajevi. The Yahorlyk Kut Peninsula in Kherson Oblast represents the westernmost edge of the subspecies’ range, where local conditions have practically remained in their natural state and the social vole (Microtus socialis) has a substantial population density. The Yahorlyk Kut Peninsula separates Yahorlyk Bay of the Black Sea from Tendra Bay. The western part of the peninsula (5540 ha) constitutes the ‘Yahorlyk Kut’ protected area of the Black Sea Biosphere Reserve, where steppe habitats have been partially preserved in their natural state in contrast to the area of the former bombing range, which was attached to the reserve in 1998, where the steppe has slightly transformed. This is the only area of typical halophytic wormwood–grass steppe that has avoided continuous ploughing and irrigation. The population density of M. socialis depends on the microrelief, hydrological conditions, and natural spring flooding. The disturbance of vegetation and soil cover due to fires and grazing disrupt the natural population dynamics of social voles. Recovery takes 2 to 3 years. After the cessation of the impact of hydrological, pyrogenic, or pascual factors, population density of the social vole in different habitats becomes balanced. Over 30 years, the population density of Microtus socialis ranged from 200 to 7000 ind./ha (on average 1800 ind./ha). The amplitude of fluctuations in the value of relative abundance in the periods between peaks is about 15 units. The cyclicity in population dynamics of the social vole in the Yahorlyk Kut Peninsula is 6–8 years. The dynamics of the number of social voles is determined by abiotic and biotic factors, which are also cyclical. Disturbances in the cyclicity of population dynamics can occur due to ‘force majeure’ situations of both natural and anthropogenic nature.

Based on results of 50 years of continuous observations of populations of the pine vole (Microtus subterraneus de Selys-Longchamps, 1836) and yellow-necked wood mouse (Sylvaemus flavicollis Melchior, 1834), the phenomenon of reducing body size of individuals was revealed, particularly a significant reduction in body dimensions and body mass. The research was conducted at the Kaniv Nature Reserve covering various stages of the local ecosystem's existence under anthropogenic impact. Four cycles of density dynamics of two populations are chosen for comparison of their characteristics. The first three cycles correspond to qualitatively different periods in the existence of the protected ecosystem and populations of the studied species, whereas the last cycle reflects the current situation. It has been established that the tendency to decrease body dimensions is also characteristic for other rodent species, its manifestations are observed for 35 years, and the scale gradually increases. By fatness indexes, individuals of the pine vole on average lose 23.3% and yellow-necked wood mice lose 16.7% of the former values. It was shown that the level of reduce in exterior parameters is always greater in females than in males, and in the group of breeding adults it can reach 32%. It has been found that the phenomenon also applies to juveniles, whose fatness decreases by an average of 21%. The phenomenon occurs against the background of violations of various aspects of population dynamics, which allows it to be associated with anthropogenic changes in the environment. It is suggested that shrinking can be realized by various mechanisms. First, as a result of mortality, the largest individuals and reproductive females with their greatest energy needs fall out of the population, and, second, the growth and weight gain of young animals is slower. As a result, the decrease in external parameters of individuals reduces their specific energy needs and allows them to better survive under adverse conditions. From these points of view, reducing body dimensions can be considered as a specific population strategy to maintain ecological balance.

The Marchuk–Petrov mathematical model of antiviral immune response is generalized for complex consideration of diffusion perturbations, concentrated influences, body temperature response, and logistic population dynamics of viral elements and antibodies to the development of infectious disease. A step-by-step procedure for numerically asymptotic solution of the corresponding singularly perturbed problems with delays is developed. The authors present the results of computer simulation, which illustrate the “model” reduction of the maximum level of antigens in the epicenter of infection due to their diffusion “scattering,” body temperature response, and logistic population dynamics of viruses on the nature of infectious disease, including the presence of concentrated sources of antigens. It is emphasized that such a systemic effect of these factors can reduce the initial supercritical concentration of antigens to a level after which their neutralization and excretion will be provided by the existing level of immune protection, which is important in deciding whether to use external “therapeutic” effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new free-living population of the Bialowieza bison (Bison bonasus bonasus L., 1758) was established in 2015 in the northern part of Belarus in the territory of the Verkhnedvinsky and Rossonsky districts, Vitebsk region. We had carried out its regular monitoring for four years (from the moment of its emergence to early 2019). Visual bison observations, search for traces of their vital activity, questionnaires of rangers and local peoples were used for data collection. Information was accumulated on population dynamics, fertility, mortality, age and sex structure, seasonal features of spatial and territorial structure of herds and small groups. There was a rapid increase in the number of animals at the initial stage of the Krasnoborsky population’s existence, which can be explained by the large number of introduced bison founders (68 individuals), the high birth rate level of young animals, low mortality and the predominance of young and middle-aged animals (about 87 % of individuals). The population number had reached 155 individuals by the beginning of 2019. Females predominated over males in a ratio of 1 : 1.84. The Krasnoborsky population consists of two territorial groups. Each of them has several herds, which are extremely unstable in their quantitative, seasonal and sex composition. The area on which the population lives exceeds 17 thousand hectares. The animals use this territory unevenly. Key habitats, regular migration routes and rarely visited areas are highlighted in the paper. Adult males often leave the habitat of the population and exist outside the territory for a long time. Practical measures are indicated in this publication. Their implementation will contribute to the long-term conservation of the Krasnoborsky population. The main directions of ensuring the existence of this bison group are the creation of the functional system of its habitat, including a complex of biotechnical, protective and preventive veterinary measures and genetic control. The development and adoption of a management plan for the Krasnoborsky population will contribute to its conservation.

The peculiarities of the population dynamics of the Lviv region from 1857 to the present are characterized. A brief overview of scientific works of Ukrainian and foreign geographers and other scientists on this issue, which have been published in recent years. The statistical materials for this study were the censuses of the Austrian Empire of 1857, the Austro-Hungarian Empire of 1869, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, the Polish censuses of 1921 and 1931, the Soviet censuses of 1859, 1970, 1979, 1989 and the All-Ukrainian census. 2001. The main method of research is historical and geographical. With its help the analysis of the population in modern borders of the Lviv area since the beginning of 1857 is carried out. In changes of the population of the Lviv area it is possible to allocate two stages: long growth before 1993 and the subsequent depopulation after 1993. The basis for the separation of these stages of the seven periods of population change. During the first period (1857-1910) the population of the region increased, for example in 1869 by 102 thousand people compared to 1857. In 1869-1880 the average annual growth rate was more than 2%. The second period (1910-1921) is marked by depopulation processes. This is due to significant demographic losses in the First World War and the national liberation war of the Ukrainian people. The third period (1921-1939) is characterized by population growth. The region was marked by a fairly high growth, as it did not suffer losses due to the Holodomor in Ukraine in 1932-1933. In the fourth period (1939-1946) the highest rates of depopulation were observed, due to the Second World War 1939-1945. at over 4%. In the fifth period (1946-1993) there was an increase in the population of the region. The number of urban population grew rapidly. At that time, as early as 1950, the population began to decline in rural areas. In the sixth period (1994-2009) the highest rates of depopulation are observed. Almost 80% of the total population decline in this period in the region was due to a negative migration balance. Lviv region in the seventh period (2010- 2021) shows more favorable demographic trends compared to national ones. The rate of depopulation is slowing down: in 2013-2017, the population of the region decreased by only 0.08% annually, while in Ukraine - by 1.7%. As a result, the main reason for the decrease in the population of the region is the significant migration losses over several decades of the XX-XXI centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article develops a methodical approach to assessing the management level of the tourism and recreational potential in the Kharkiv region, taking into account its existing business capabilities. It is noted that tourist resources in Ukraine influence greatly both the regional and national economy development. That is, determining the management level of the tourism and recreational potential in Ukraine’s regions is one of the main current tasks, as it is necessary to identify the existing reserves and organizational shortcomings in the tourism and recreation management. It is noted that the Kharkiv region has always had a strong economic, scientific, technological and production potential. At the same time, unfortunately, little attention has been paid to the development of tourism and recreational activities, despite the fact that the Kharkiv region is definitely among the top five by the quantitative performance indices for tourism entities of varied ownership. The article informs that the analysis of tourist flows shows an increase in the number of Ukrainian citizens turning to the tourism services employees, in general, and in the Kharkiv region, in particular. To assess the uptake of the existing tourism and recreational potential, the article suggests to introduce the following indicators of the tourism services level: the coverage of the Kharkiv region population by domestic tourism services; the coverage of the Kharkiv region population by outbound tourism services; territorial accessibility by average estimated distance; territorial accessibility by the object area; assortment availability; the service provision of the population; the growth dynamics of the service provision of the population (compared to the previous year). The assessment carried out has revealed some drawbacks in managing the tourism and recreational potential in the Kharkiv region. The author of the article has come to conclusion that no real level of investment exists, which could hinder the development of tourism in the Kharkiv region. A study by the World Tourism and Travel Council (WTTC) shows that every million dollars invested in the tourism industry provides the highest return in terms of jobs and subsequent contributions to GDP, if compared to other sectors of economy, no matter the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the decentralization reform, the task of forming socio-economic portraits of United Territorial Communities (UTCs) and finding their "growth points" is updated. The authors investigate two labor-abundant territories of Sumy region - Sumy and Shostka districts for the analysis of social and demographic characteristics of communities. This analysis is the basis for further studies of the complex portrait of the regions and gives a general understanding of population growth dynamics, assessment of social categories, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analyzes dynamics of the population and its growth rates for the cities-regional centers of Ukraine in the post-Soviet period, their features and main trends were revealed. The ranking of the regional centers of the state according to the population in 1991 and 2017 has been carried out, changes have been analyzed. The regional centers of Ukraine have been mapped according to the indicator of population growth (in absolute and relative terms) for the period of 1991-2017. Grouping of regional centers of Ukraine in terms of population in 1991 and 2017 has been conducted and highlighted big, significant cities and cities-millionaires; composition of the selected groups and the changes occurred have been analyzed. The regional centers of Ukraine have been grouped according to the population growth rates, absolute population growth, duration of the period with the negative and positive dynamics of the population, the main trends in the dynamics of population during 1991-2017. A group of the regional centers of the state with predominance of the negative population dynamics has been highlighted, and within it – cities with constant decrease of population and a cities with an unstable decrease in population. Also, a group of the regional centers of Ukraine with predominance of the positive dynamics of the population has been highlighted, and within it – cities with stable increase in the population in the XXI century and cities with negative trends of the population in the last few years. The periods with the lowest and the highest growth rates of population of the regional centers of Ukraine in the post-Soviet period have been revealed. It has been determined which regional centers of Ukraine can be considered as «crisis» or «depressive» ones by the indicator of population losses during the years of independence.

Reflects the results of the stages of the study of bioclimatic and landscape-nanotechnik characteristics of the steppe zone of the North-Western part of the black sea region, as the formation of mosaic agrozootehnice mixed natural agroinnova Genesis. It is recommended to differentiate the dry steppe pjone only the territory South of the interfluve of the Dniester-Dnieper. A retrospective analysis allowed to argue that a significant amount of anthropogenic development in the process of transformation of the steppes into agricultural lands, stimulated a radical break with zonal ecosystems. This transformation of biocenosis occurred against the background of climate aridization and under the influence of anthropogenic actions. A structured approach to analytical generalization allowed to update selected issues and became the basis for the study. The obtained results allowed axiomatic to say about the deterioration of the conditions of existence for the available biotic complex, and also significantly affects the seasonal conditions of existence of rodents in the field of agricultural landscapes, directly and indirectly limiting their population status. Key words:

The formation of labor potential is a crucial prerequisite for the socio-economic stability of the country, and its effective use is the basis of productivity of the national economy. In the context of Ukraine's integration into the world economic space, an important task is to study the internal and external factors that influence the country's labor potential formation. The factors of external influence include: the level of socio-economic development of the region, country; level of demographic development of the region, country; state of the national and regional labor market and conditions of labor price formation; the legal framework governing social and labor relations; social and entrepreneurial investment. The magnitude of the labor potential of the country and the region depends more on the demographic situation (total population, its structure, life expectancy, birth rate and death rate). Demographic factors mainly influence the quantitative component of labor potential. The article deals with the issues of population dynamics in the regions of Ukraine, as well as birth rate, death rate, middle age, population reproduction. The regions of Ukraine are grouped according to the age structure of the population, and the regions with the prevalence of the share of pensioners over adolescents, the regions with the prevalence of the share of the population younger than the working age, and also the regions with the highest proportion of the working population respectively. In addition to natural population growth / decline, the population's demographic potential is affected by mechanical movement of the population, that is, features of migration processes of the population. According to the indicators of migration growth / reduction, the corresponding groups of regions of Ukraine are highlighted. At the present stage there are significant changes in the population demographic structure, which in turn caused a significant deterioration in the quantitative and qualitative status of the country's labor potential. Population reductions, high death rates and low birth rates, and a negative migration balance, indicate that the demographic situation needs a lot of attention from the state. It is extremely necessary to respond and implement appropriate measures, if not to increase the quantitative parameters of labor potential, at least to preserve the existing status. The main levers of regulation of labor potential include: increase in income and standard of living; increase in life expectancy; increase in natality; return of compatriots working abroad, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the current state and dynamics of demographic processes in Ukraine since it became independent to the present day. The forecasts of the development of demographic processes are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the study of the dynamics of the working-age population of Ukraine in the context of the impact of the demographic crisis and labor migration. The estimation of the influence of demographic processes on the national economy is given. Since Ukraine's independence, there has been a steady downward trend in population decline. Together with the total population of our country, there is a decrease in the size of the able-bodied part of the population. In addition, given the increasing pace of aging, we can state not only the absolute but also the relative decline of the able-bodied population in the general population structure in Ukraine. This trend is increasing every year and leads to a significant loss of potential of the domestic economy, reduces the total human capital of Ukraine, creates a shortage of supply in the labor market, etc. Since 1993 until today, the number of residents of our country has been steadily declining and as of June 1, 2019, according to the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, it is about 42031 thousand people. This number has been obtained without taking into account the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Sevastopol. Thus, we can claim that since independence, the number of existing residents of Ukraine has decreased by 9913 thousand people, or by 19.1%. In today's post-industrial economy, traditionally the important role of a man as a factor of economic growth increases exponentially. Global transformations related to the formation of the information society and the digital economy has led to a significant increase in human capital. Against this background, the demographic crisis in Ukraine, the decline in the number of able-bodied population, mass labor migration are becoming the most important problem, without which it is impossible to talk about building a competitive national economy in the modern global world of the 21st century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern conditions of development of agriculture, the priority is the cultivation of corn and sunflower, oriented on highly effective technologies and crops, which allows to sell the goods at a high price. This is achieved through a system of measures for the protection of cultivated plants from harmful phytophagous insects. The article analyzes the present species population and dynamics of the number of darkling beetles in crops of cereals and technical crops, using modern resource-saving technologies of cultivation. The long-term dynamics of the pest population in sunflower and corn crops for 2000- 2018 is presented, specifying the species composition and biology of the most common species: Pedin usfemoralis L., Blap shalophila Fishw., Opatrum sabulosum L., Oodescelis polita Strum., Blap slethifera Marsch., Crypticus quisquilius L., The analysis of scientific developments concerning the distribution of these pests in the Forest-steppe of Ukraine has been carried out. The phenology of the studied species, morphology of the studied species of darkling beetles in the region of research is specified. The peculiarity of pest reproduction and their migration in sunflower and corn crops is highlighted, depending on the soil-climatic conditions and the number of predatory carabid beetles and the influence of other useful fauna of the soil. The data on the duration of harmful effects of false wireworms and adult beetles in sunflower and corn crops are given. The response of plants to damage of false wireworms, as well as the effectiveness of modern biological phytosanitary measures to manage the mass development of phytophagus, and resource-saving systems of agriculture in the Forest-steppe of Ukraine are described. The main provisions concerning the control of the number of darkling beetles in modern agricultural systems, with the timely application of agrotechnical measures and biological preparations, and the increase of mechanisms of self-regulation of insects in short-rotation crop rotations are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Biological Resources & Nature Management is the property of National University of Life & Environmental Sciences of Ukraine 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.)

Copyright of Scientific Journal of National University of Life & Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. Series: Agronomy is the property of National University of Life & Environmental Sciences of Ukraine 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.)

The article analyzes dynamics of the population and its growth rates for the cities-regional centers of Ukraine in the post-Soviet period, their features and main trends were revealed. The ranking of the regional centers of the state according to the population in 1991 and 2017 has been carried out, changes have been analyzed. The regional centers of Ukraine have been mapped according to the indicator of population growth (in absolute and relative terms) for the period of 1991-2017. Grouping of regional centers of Ukraine in terms of population in 1991 and 2017 has been conducted and highlighted big, significant cities and cities-millionaires; composition of the selected groups and the changes occurred have been analyzed. The regional centers of Ukraine have been grouped according to the population growth rates, absolute population growth, duration of the period with the negative and positive dynamics of the population, the main trends in the dynamics of population during 1991-2017. A group of the regional centers of the state with predominance of the negative population dynamics has been highlighted, and within it - cities with constant decrease of population and a cities with an unstable decrease in population. Also, a group of the regional centers of Ukraine with predominance of the positive dynamics of the population has been highlighted, and within it - cities with stable increase in the population in the XXI century and cities with negative trends of the population in the last few years. The periods with the lowest and the highest growth rates of population of the regional centers of Ukraine in the post-Soviet period have been revealed. It has been determined which regional centers of Ukraine can be considered as «crisis» or «depressive» ones by the indicator of population losses during the years of independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have researched the population dynamics of Brachyiulus jawlowskii Lohmander, 1928 in the arena of the Dnepr river (within the "Dnieper-Orilsky” Nature Reserve) and also present a full picture of the habitat distribution of Julidae within the researched area. The tested models were basic types of arena biogeocenosis: sand steppe, black maple forests, artificial pine plantations, deciduous forest, meadow and swamp. Variation in population density of B. jawlowskii is determined by biotopical features. The swamp and meadow habitats can be characterized by the highest level of population dynamics. B. jawlowskii plays the greatest role in the herpetobiont grouping in swamp and oak forest habitats (6.7% and 4.6% respectively). In other types of habitat this species composes 0.1–3.5% of the total abundance of this group. The highest abundance dynamic was reached by the Julidae cenopopulations which inhabit the swamp, oak forest and meadow habitats. B. jawlowskii occupies a relatively significant share in the herpetobiont communities of these habitats. Thus, the indicators of absolute number of this species and its relative participation in the herpertobiont grouping indicate the preference of this species for marsh, oak forest and meadow habitats. These habitats can be characterized by an excessive or moderate level of edaphotopic humidification. The ecosystem of the steppe zone of Ukraine is subject to significant human impact. In nature reserves, this effect is minimized, which permits research to be conducted on regimes of natural population dynamics. We established that B. jawlowskii inhabits all habitats investigated within the arena zone of the Dnepr river. This indicates that this is an environmentally flexible Julidae species. The population dynamics of B. jawlowskii can be characterized by three distinct periods: spring-summer, summer and autumn. Each of these periods is characterized by a distinct population dynamic, but throughout the study period the metapopulation of B. jawlowskii remained stable. This is due to the redistribution of representatives of the biotopical metapopulation over a wide range. The conservation regime within the "Dnieper-Orilsky" Nature Reserve had a positively effect on the state of the B. jawlowskii population. Within the reserve on the territory of the arena of the Dnepr river B. jawlowskii uses a wide variety of types of habitats.