One of the most important principles of the modern nature conservation concept is to preserve the diversity of rare and threatened species of flora and fauna in their natural habitats, where the ecological relationships between them and the environment are realized. The first research work on identifying, mapping and habitat typification began in 1974 in Germany. In a short time this method has received a wide recognition and priority in Western Europe (Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland etc.). Since 1996 habitat mapping has been a part of the International Convention of the World Heritage, which is implemented under the aegis of UNESCO.
The European Community initiated international network creation of special nature conservation areas, called “Natura 2000″ to “maintain and restore, at a favourable conservation status, natural habitats and species of wild flora and fauna of the Community interest” (Interpretation…, 2003). Its legislative instrument is 92/43/EES Habitats Directive, which establishes common approaches to the protection of wild animals and plants (listed in Annex II of the Directive) and the natural habitats (their types and codes are given in Annex I) of the European importance. The types of the habitats listed in Annex I are based on the “CORINE Biotopes” classification, and their general descriptions and short lists of characteristic species are given in the Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats.
According to the last edition, Annex I enumerates 213 types and subtypes of natural habitats and includes 71 types of priority habitats which are threatened or have a limited distribution within the territory of the European Union (EU). For all of these habitat types the EU member countries are obliged to identify areas for their protection. In most countries of the European Union networks of such areas have been developed according to the habitats representing them, and in some European countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania they are on the stage of being completed. But up to now such work has only been initiated in Ukraine. Taking into consideration the distinctly directed European trend of the development of Ukraine, its participation and cooperation in many pan-European programs, including ecological ones, and its future integration into the European Community, this work is particularly urgent in the sense of creating the global European network “NATURA 2000″.
An ecosystem approach is the most scientifically substantiated for the econet creation. However, one element of the ecological network (core area or ecocorridor) may be situated in several administrative areas, regions or even countries. That is why, the basis of the regional ecological network should be a river basin, which is a natural integral territorial unit with clearly defined borders, the uniform complex of geomorphological, soil, climatic conditions, and its landscape formed systems. It gives an opportunity to establish the structure and correlation between the econet elements and their efficient spatial location.
The Western Bug belongs to the Baltic Sea basin and is a transboundary watercourse within the territory of three countries: Ukraine, Poland and Belarus. The river valley is located in one of the most western regions of Ukraine, bordering with the European Union and plays the role of an ecological corridor of the international level. According to the physical and geographic zoning of our country, the Ukrainian territory of the Western Bug River basin is located in two physiographic zones – the forest-steppe zone and mixed-forest zone (Ukrainian Polissia). It crosses a variety of natural landscapes of Podillia, Male Polissia, Volynska Elevation and Volynske Polissia.
The Western Bug is one of the few European rivers, which valley has till now preserved its natural state with a unique complex of plants and animals. Despite the great anthropogenic influence, a number of lands relevant to the conservation of typical and rare habitats have been slightly transformed, however, many of them are still endangered. The areas that can be referred to as such habitats are wetlands, boggy complexes and steppe lands.
The special value areas of the region are those with unique habitats and communities (Littorelion uniflorae, Rhynchosporion albae), which are on the eastern limits of their distribution within the territory of Ukraine, so they cannot be replaced or restored if they are lost. The majority of both typical and rare habitats are vulnerable because of a low ecological balance in the region, which is caused by the activities of mining-chemical enterprises, the environment abuse and uncontrolled recreation. However, they do not receive the appropriate protection at the state level, because there is the smallest number of nature conservation areas (only 70) in comparison with other basins of the region.
For this purpose, the priority task at the present stage is to create a database of rare and threatened habitats of the Western Bug River basin and their further integration into the regional ecological network. For today, only some fragmentary research of the river valley vegetation and habitats typification of the Shatsk National Nature Park has been conducted. At the same time the habitats of the Upper Western Bug River basin have not been investigated yet. Taking into consideration the high sozological potential of this territory, the uniqueness of its biotic components, a high biodiversity and significant amounts of natural resources there is a strong necessity of surveying and defining the natural habitats that are of value to conserve them and organise their protection or even restoration.