Ecosystem services of the North-Western Black Sea wetlands

Abstract

A significant part of wetlands of international importance in Ukraine is located on the North-Western Black Sea region territory. Wetlands are integral components of a natural reserve fund and ecological network; they perform very important functions in maintaining biological and landscapebiological diversity, as well as stabilizing climatic conditions. Ecosystem services of wetlands are of great importance, but their quality is subject to the negative influence of natural spontaneous processes and various forms of anthropogenic activity. An assessment of wetlands ecosystem services is necessary to understand how important is their role for the normal life of the population, as well as for the conservation of biological diversity and the maintenance of balanced natural processes. Therefore, the problems of rational use, conservation and restoration of the North-Western Black Sea region wetlands, as well as their ecosystem services assessment are important in environmental and socio-economic aspects.