Restoration of floodplains' natural vegetation of Polissia to reduce the effects of climate change

Global climate change has a wide range of regional-level consequences. The most sensitive environmental parameters are those related to the water cycle. A t the same time, several natural stabilizers reduce the negative impact of climate change. One of the most prevalent stabilizers is the vegetation of river floodplains. Using geobotanical methods, we surveyed the floodplains of the P ry p i at, Stohid, Horyn, Sluch, Ubort, Slovechna, Noryn, Uzh, Irsha, Teteriv, Dnipro, and Desna rivers and their main tributaries within the Ukrainian Poliss i a. According to Braun-Blanquet's ecological-floristic classification, we found that this vegetation consists of 11 classes, 32 orders, 57 alliances, and 204 associations. Synphytoindicative analysis revealed that these plant communities strongly stabilize climate change and its consequences. These plant communities absorb and accumulate carbon from the atmosphere in the form of phytomass or peat deposits. They also slow the passage of precipitation water, which prevents water erosion and the eutrophication of water bodies. They also create a specific microclimate around water bodies, preventing increased evaporation of moisture from the soil and rivers. However, this vegetation suffers from direct anthropogenic pressure and the same climate changes. If climatic factors deviate from submicrotheral ( mild cold ) , subaridophyt ic -subumbrophyti c ( moderate drought and shading ) , semi oceanic, and subcryophytic ( moderate dryness and cold ) , the functioning of typical floodplain vegetation is suppressed and its recovery is slowed down. Currently, climate change has progressed to a point where floodplain vegetation is unable to fully perform its stabilizing function. Even if we immediately implement measures to restore floodplain vegetation, it will take time to regain its capacity to stabilize the climate. In this regard, it is important to use hydroengineering measures and projects alongside the restoration of natural processes. The success of this combination will have a global impact on the quality and quantity of natural resources, the prese r vation of habitat and species diversity, and the stabilization of climate change.