Analysis of the Quantitative Composition of Natural and Quasi-Natural Sites in the Northern Part of the Donetsk People's Republic

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to conduct a comparative analysis of the natural framework of the northern part of the Donetsk Region, represented by the Alexandrovsky, Slavyansky, Krasnolimansky, and Artemovsky districts of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), within the framework of the primary inventory of natural and quasi-natural sites. Materials and methods. The main types of natural and quasi-natural sites of the investigated areas have been identifi ed by visual assessment and decryption of satellite images from open access using the QGIS Development Team computer programme. Results and discussion. The number, occupied areas and places of increased concentration of natural and quasi-natural sites of the DPR have been determined. There is a signifi cant diff erence in composition, quantity and occupied areas between the studied administrative districts of the DPR. The most signifi cant diff erence between them lies in the presence of large-sized steppe areas representing the zonal type of vegetation. Conclusions. It is necessary to study the steppe areas more thoroughly in order to include them in the regional ecological network and as part of the specially protected natural territories of the Donetsk region.