Assessment of mountain ecosystems changes under anthropogenic pressure in Latorica river basin (Transcarpathian region, Ukraine)
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Date
2014
Authors
Kozak, Olena
Didukh, Yakiv
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
The Carpathian mountain ecosystems have been changed under anthropogenic pressure during
last decades. The different types of anthropogenic pressure affect the ecosystem characteristics
and functioning. The species composition, species richness and ecological indicator values of 12
ecological factors were compared among 14 habitats: natural, semi-natural, degraded and ruderal
ecosystems in different altitude zones. The results show that anthropogenic pressure and altitude
gradient influence indices of edaphic and climate conditions. The anthropogenic pressure also
affects biodiversity: the highest species richness and Shannon–Wiener index are observed in habitats
with ‘intermediate’ disturbances level, while high level of disturbances cause decrease in biodiversity.
The disturbances cause the ecosystem to become susceptible to invasion of alien species,
while native species, especially rare, become vulnerable and can disappear.
Description
Keywords
altitude gradient, ecological indicator values, biodiversity
Citation
Kozak O. Assessment of mountain ecosystems changes under anthropogenic pressure in Latorica river basin (Transcarpathian region, Ukraine) / Olena Kozak, Yakiv Didukh // Ekologia. - 2014. - Vol. 33, No. 4. - P. 365–379.