Monitoring at Prypyat River Floodplain in Volyn Region
July 2007

Annual monitoring of Prypyat river floodplain was carried out by USBS’s experts in June 2007. They have surveyed Prypyat river floodplain and channel between Ratno town and Lyubiaz village, as well as all monitoring plots at Turia and Styr rivers floodplains.

1. Overgrowth of vegetation in the floodplain as a result of chemical erosion due to river bed deepening (down the stream from the village Schedrogir)

Current year is mostly dry and similar to June 2003 by the water level in river. According to hydrologic data of Lyubiaz water station, water level in the river was 237 mm in June 20, 2003, the same water level was observed also in June 1, 2007. In spite of dry weather, the river channel had rapid stream flow on surveyed stretch, water moved quickly and did not stay even in small channels. All these confirm significant nature restoration of the river channel during last decade.

Monitoring revealed that sites of the river floodplain, which locate within areas of channel drainage activity, were entirely dry, in particular, floodplain between Schedrogir village and Turia river mouth (drainage work was carried out in second part of 2005); site above a bridge near Schedrogir village (drainage was carried out at the end of 2006); floodplain below Vetly village (drainage was carried out in 2006). As a result of this activity, area of Schedrogirsky Hydrological Reserve (zakaznyk, 700 ha) was also dry and almost destroyed. Before the drainage activity in 2005, unlike other parts of floodplain this site had constant notably higher ground water level. There are low sedge mires along the river channel, which were mowed by local people, as well as numerous channels and oxbows. Currently, ground water level in the floodplain is 50-60 cm lower than ground level. The river reminds wandering ditch with rapid water flow and lack of aquatic vegetation. Hundreds of waterfowls, registered here during 1999-2004, also left this part of the floodplain.

2-3. Drained area up the stream from the village Schedrogir

Starting from 2002, water level in the floodplain is monitored at the site near Pidgirya village. Monitoring data shows (Figure 1) that the situation became critical after channel drainage near the monitoring plot at the end of 2006. The same situation is observed near east outskirts of Vetly village (Figure 2). However, despite dry season water level on the sites, which were not affected by channel drainage activity, did not differ from the previous years.

Main part of Ukrainian population of Aquatic Warbler (60%) concentrates mainly within Prypiat floodplain. The species is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and included in Annex I of the EU Wild Birds Directive, in Appendix II of the Bern Convention and in Appendix I and Appendix II of the Bonn Convention. The species is also included in the Red Data Book.

4. Bed deepening down the stream from the village Vetly – banking to the river

The species does not breed in drained habitats. However, Prypyat floodplain between Schedrohir village and Krupyne Lake remains dry during last two breeding seasons. Current conditions in habitats were caused by channel drainage activity. Total area of Aquatic Warbler key breeding habitats is 175 ha, nearly 150 males bred here in some seasons. During current breeding season, less than 40 males bred in these habitats. Reduction of the population is illustrated by clear example: on 15 ha of key habitat that locates within this part of the river floodplain near the road Pidgirya-Schedrohir 15 males were counted in 2005, 5 mails – in 2006 and only 2 males – in 2007. Before channel drainage activity, this habitat was very wet with water depth of 10-15 cm; however, it remains completely dry during last two years. Undoubtedly, Aquatic Warbler will not breed in this habitat next year. A site upstream of the road (north-western outskirt of Pidgirya village) was completely dry for the first time in this breeding season, where monitoring of AW habitat and population was carried out during last six years. Area of the site is 120 ha where 150 mails bred. This season, size of the population was 50-70 mails and it will become extinct during next several years.

Ukraine undertook obligations to provide strict protection for the Aquatic Warbler and conserve its breeding habitats under Memorandum of Understanding concerning conservation measures for the Aquatic Warbler.

Photos and diagrams show negative changes at the sites that were drained during channel drainage and alteration activities.