Tryfanova M. Consortial role of the common heron (Ardea cinerea L.) colonies in long flooded biogeocoenoses of the Dnieper middle course.

The object is the spatial organization and the functional role of colonial settlements of Ardea cinerea L. in long flooded biogeocoenoses of the Dnieper middle course. The aim is to establish the ecological role of the common heron (Ardea cinerea L.) colonial settlements in long flooded biogeocoenoses of the Dnieper middle course as a models for the development and validation activities for the protection of riparian bird colonies. The methods are geobotanic, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, statistics, two-dimensional mapping. Based on long-term research of A. cinerea L. at long flooded biogeocoenoses of the Dnieper middle course the data on the role of consortial role of the common heron colonies were obtained. Complex biogeocoenotic investigations made possible to take the quantitative characteristics of the colonies. Population dynamics and relationship between successful existence of the colony and factors of anthropogenic and natural origin are determined. Data obtained are important for the development of conservation measures in protected territories. The data reveal the importance of the heron's colony as a concenter of heterotrophic consortium. The patterns of spatial variability of the soil physical properties (conductivity, penetration index, and temperature) under the influence of herons' functional activity within the colony boundaries were studied. The importance of the A. cinerea colony for the dynamics of soil cellulolytic activity is presented. The role of autotrophic and heterotrophic consortium in the biogeocoenosis organisation was determined using zoo- and phytoindication. Methods of research are improved and implemented in conservation activities in the Nature Reserve "Dniprovsko-Orilskii". Application spheres are conservation activities and training courses.