At Sumy National Agrarian University, our research focuses on understanding the crucial role that plant populations, particularly those of the herbaceous layer, play in the stability of forest ecosystems. Forests are dynamic systems where the herb layer acts as a key indicator of environmental health, contributing significantly to nutrient cycling, soil structure, and biodiversity conservation. Studying the population dynamics and vitality of herb layer species allows us to better understand how forests respond to environmental changes, including human impacts such as logging and climate change.
Recently, our project titled Comprehensive Population Analysis of the Leading Coenose-forming Species of the Grass Layer of Forest Ecosystems included the study of Stellaria holostea L., a common herbaceous species in European forests. This research was conducted in the Desniansko-Starogutskyi National Nature Park, a protected area in northeastern Ukraine, which spans 16,215 hectares and represents a variety of forest types including spruce, mixed, and broadleaf forests.
National Nature Parks (NNPs) like Desniansko-Starogutskyi play a pivotal role in biodiversity conservation, making them ideal sites for long-term ecological studies. Our research here lays the foundation for ongoing monitoring, which is especially important given the increasing sensitivity of ecosystems amidst environmental degradation and ecocide. Long-term monitoring allows us to track changes in plant populations and environmental conditions, providing crucial data that can guide conservation efforts.
One of the key strengths of this project is the close cooperation between Sumy National Agrarian University (SNAU) and the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU). This collaboration enables the exchange of knowledge, methods, and resources, enriching the research with diverse perspectives. The partnership with CZU brings in expertise from Czech researchers who are experienced in forest management and ecosystem conservation, allowing us to adopt best practices and cutting-edge methodologies.
The cooperation between SNAU and CZU not only strengthens our research capabilities but also fosters a greater international dialogue on environmental conservation. By working together, we are able to apply a broader set of tools and approaches to the study of forest ecosystems, making our findings more robust and applicable on a larger scale. This partnership also opens up opportunities for young researchers to collaborate across borders, enhancing their skills and contributing to the global effort to preserve biodiversity.
Key Findings and Conference Success
The results of this study not only highlight the ecological significance of herbaceous plants, but they also serve as a model for similar studies in other European forest ecosystems. These findings were discussed in our recent conference, which brought together students and researchers from Sumy National Agrarian University and the Czech University of Life Sciences Stefanyk Prykarpattia National University and University of Kassel, Hesse, Germany.
Key conference topics included:
- Forestry Practices and Plant Populations: How different forest management strategies affect plant health and regeneration.
- Invasive Species and Ecosystem Balance: The threat invasive species pose to native biodiversity.
- Population Dynamics and Conservation: Methodologies for long-term population monitoring in protected areas.
The research conducted as part of this project will soon be published in a scientific journal, further contributing to the body of knowledge on forest ecosystem management and conservation. Our work continues to uncover the complex relationships between forest species and their environments, and we look forward to advancing conservation strategies through data-driven research.
Author: Nataliia Yaroshenko
