Загрози глобальних кліматичних змін для біорізноманіття міста Львова

Abstract

Проаналізовані загрози кліматичних змін для біорізноманіття міста Львова: підвищення середніх температур, хвиль тепла, зливових опадів, штормових вітрів у місті. Вони проявляються у пригніченні життєдіяльності живих організмів, деградації їхнього середовища існування, поведінкових змінах, зменшенні стійкості та призводять до зменшення біорізноманіття. Запропоновані природоохоронні та організаційні заходи, що покращать здатність живих організмів міста адаптуватися до глобальних кліматичних змін.

Direct and indirect threats of climate change to the biodiversity of the city of Lviv are analyzed. They are manifested in an increase in average annual temperatures, abrupt daily temperature changes, heat waves, heavy rainfall, storm winds in the city. The specifics of the city's geographical location, historical development, and trends in modern development exacerbate the consequences of climate change. The biodiversity of the socio-ecosystem of Lviv is concentrated in large objects of green infrastructure, as well as squares, street landscaping, cemeteries, and flower beds. The total area of green spaces is rather large and consists of about 26% of the city's area. However, there is the highest share of built-up areas among regional cities of Ukraine (67%), a small area of water bodies, and a high density of permanent population (4.2 thousand people/km2) worsen the state of the city's biotic component and increase its vulnerability to climate change. The consequences are manifested in the suppression of the vital activity of living organisms, behavioral changes, reduced resilience, the degradation and disappearance of habitats and lead to a decrease in biodiversity. Gusty winds and heavy rains damage, break, and uproot trees. There is flooding of low-lying areas, water erosion in green areas with rugged terrain and significant steepness of slopes (LRP "Znesinnia", parks Vysoky Zamok, Citadel, Zalizna Voda, Pohulyanka, etc.). Soil washout on slopes exposes the root system of trees and reduces their resistance to hurricane winds. Unprofessional care during pruning and crown formation increases the threat of natural disasters to trees. Single, old trees are the most vulnerable. The biodiversity of large green areas is less threatened and more resistant to climate change. The increase in average annual temperatures has led to phenological shifts in flowering plants. These changes are incompatible with the cycles of pollinating insects, which threatens the extinction of both plants and pollinators. However, the increase in winter temperatures causes the expansion of the range of certain species of pests and plant pathogens, which poses a significant threat to the biodiversity of Lviv. Warmer winters contribute to better survival of some species of birds and bats. Their behavioral algorithm has changed. Winter accumulations of some previously migratory bird species have been recorded in Lviv: mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus), etc. Some species of bats, including the common noctule (Nyctalus noctula) and the party-coloured bat (Vespertilio murinus), have begun to form hibernation clusters in city buildings. Rising temperatures and other effects of climate change are significantly affecting some European bird species, such as the crested tit (Lophophanes cristatus), the garden warbler (Sylvia borin) and the common chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), which consists in changing their nesting periods, reducing the number of chicks and even changes in their overall body size. The increase in environmental temperature leads to overheating and death of clutches and chicks of some open-nesting bird species: terns (Sterna spp.) and plovers (Charadrius spp.) Poor air quality in Lviv city, in particular significant air dustiness and pollution, large-area heat islands in summer suppress and reduce the resilience of green spaces. Frequent cases of intentional burning of dry leaves or grass in the spring-autumn period in conditions of elevated temperatures make the burning uncontrolled and often lead to the burning of peatlands located on the western and northwestern outskirts of the city (Levandivka and Ryasne districts). The increase in average air temperatures contributes to the spread and rapid development of numerous invasive species of animals and plants. The listed factors increase the threat of biodiversity depletion and reduce its resistance to climate change. Environmental protection and organizational measures are proposed in compliance with the principles of a sustainable landscape. Natural systems that are able to exist independently in urban environments are usually characterized by a relatively rich biotic diversity of living organisms. Optimization of the age and species composition of green zones, the creation of multi-tiered plantings, planting of native species of fruit trees and shrubs, the arrangement of areas with local species of meadow forbs, and professional care will improve the ability of living organisms in the city to adapt to global climate change.