Spatial Structure of the Distribution of Steppe and Forest Areas of the Donetsk region

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to assess the spatial structure of the ecological framework of a number of administrative-territorial divisions (ATD) of the central and eastern parts of the Donetsk region as a single polygon. Objects and methods: the number and areas of two main types of natural (quasi-natural) ecosystems of the region were determined - steppe and forest-covered territories within the boundaries of three districts (Shakhtersky, Amvrosievsky, Starobeshevsky) and Donetsk-Makeyevka agglomeration. By dividing the entire study polygon into squares (7 x 7 km2), the scattering diagrams of the squares were estimated according to the ratio of the areas of steppe and forested sites in them, the quantitative distribution of squares over the range of occupied areas of natural sites, the nature of their geographical distribution and concentration over the polygon. Results. It was shown that according to the nature of the distribution of squares according to the ratio of the areas of steppe and forested territories in all ATD, except for the city of Donetsk, the steppe component prevails. The “forest” component is also significant for the Amvrosievsky and especially for the Shakhtersky districts, which brings them closer to the forest-steppe nature of the landscape. In the Starobeshevsky district, the “forest” component is practically absent, and the steppe component is represented by elongated sites confined to the valleys of the local river network. The geographical distribution of squares according to these characteristics shows the highest concentration of natural sites (steppe, forest-covered ecosystems and their totality) in the Shakhtersky and Amvrosievsky districts and the smallest in the Starobeshevsky district. Conclusions. It is recommended that the sites of increased concentration of natural territories of the Shakhtersky and Amvrosievsky districts be considered as clusters of natural cores of regional significance of the formed ecological network of the region, the steppe sections of the river system valleys of the Starobeshevsky district are recognized as ecological corridors of the local and subregional level. Natural and quasi-natural sites of the cities of Donetsk and Makeyevka are natural cores and corridors of the local or sub-regional level, depending on their importance in the overall system of the ecological network.