The Science Department conducts science and research work along the following lines:

• taking inventory of flora, fauna, all natural complexes and specific features;
• studying the change dynamics of natural complexes, features, ecosystems and climate;
• studying the natural complexes, features and their changes associated with recreational use; development of scientific recommendations to decrease the effect of recreational activities on the Park's natural complexes and features;
• creating the scientific bases for biodiversity protection, restoration and use, restoration of disrupted ecosystems;
• preparation of scientific materials and recommendations required for the Park’s maintenance, environmental, recreational and educational activities;
• studying intersystem ties, the structure and operating regularities of natural complexes;
• conducting comprehensive research to preserve the unique and the typical flora and fauna of the Park;
• studying and developing measures and recommendations required to improve preservation of natural complexes, rare and threatened species of flora and fauna within the wildlife reserves, as well as other territories and facilities in the region that are prospective for reservation.

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On November 1–2, representatives of the Science Department of NNP Dniester Canyon went to Lviv to organize cooperation with leading research institutions. They had meetings with representatives of the State Nature Study Museum of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (UAS), the Carpathian Ecology Institute of the UAS, the Ivan Franko National University. Our representatives established personal contacts with researchers from various nature study branches, and studied the collections of the above institutions.

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On September 30, Science Department employees P. Ploshchanskyi and O. Vikyrchak conducted field research near the villages of Dorohychivka and Shutromyntsi in Zalishchyky District. They discovered several interesting geomorphological and hydrological objects, collected materials for justification of the creation of new Nature Reserve Fund objects (i.e., age-old larch near Dorohychivka School and 4 age-old lindens). The researchers studied Dorohychivka travertine rocks and oaks and conducted phonological observation of seasonal changes in the ornitofauna.

Age-old lindens in Dorohychivka{jcomments on}

On September 27, researchers from NNP Dnister Canyon examined the area called Vasyliv Verteb near the village of Kostryzhivka, Zastavna District. They detected a unique habitat of plants with various environmental requirements, including several plant species that are on the endangered species list (the Red Book) and a rare species of birds (Lanius excubitor). Researchers believe the examined territory is worth including in the Nature Preservation Fund of Bukovyna.

On September 25, employees of the Science Department went on a field trip to the southernmost point of the NNP Dnister Canyon in the vicinity of Okopy village, Borshchiv District. The researchers collected the materials for Volume I of the Nature Chronicles they are preparing, described several geomorphological formations and hydrological objects, and took inventory of the flora and vertebrate and invertebrate fauna along the Okopy – Bilivtsi sections of the Dnister.

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 September 20-21, the Science Department of NNP "Dnister Canyon" took part in the scientific and practical conference "Nature conservation as the primary means for preserving biodiversity" which was organized and held by National Nature Park "Kremenetski Gory".

The speakers included our colleagues: P. Ploshchanskyi read a report "Lytiache travertine rock and its preservation in the conditions of growing recreational load", and L. Mandziuk delivered a speech "Analysis of the rare component of the flora along the Dniester in Zalishchyky District".

During the conference, we established personal contacts with researchers from environmental and scientific institutions.

We were also taken on an amazing tour.

On July 27, 2012, the first meeting of the Scientific and Technical Council of National Nature Park Dnister Canyon was held.

The meeting was attended by M. F. Shkilniuk, Director of the NNP, his assistant V. D. Chubatyi, A. M. Drapaliuk, deputy director of the Office for Development of the Nature Reserve Fund of the Reserve Management Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, O. V. Singalevych, head of the State Administration for Environmental Protection in Ternopil Region, L. P. Tsaryk, professor, Chair of Geoecology of the Ternopil Pedagogical University, etc.

The first issue on the agenda of the meeting was the formation of NNP Dnister Canyon. The issue was discussed by NNP’s Director Mykhailo Shkilniuk. He spoke about the regulatory framework for the establishment of the Park, the problems with land transfer, the capital repairs in the office of the organization and the staffing issues.

Olexandr Vikyrchak, head of the Science Department, spoke about the proposals developed by his department regarding zoning of the NNP, which is to be subdivided into nature reserve zone, stationary and temporary recreation zones, and the business zone. In addition, O. Vikyrchak informed the members of the meeting about the scientific research in the territory of the NNP and the cooperation agreements signed with Ternopil and Chernivtsi Pedagogical Universities.

M. P. Bashta, head of the Department for State Protection, Restoration and Use of Ecosystems, spoke about the work of his department. He outlined the main objectives and brought forward the issue of power distribution amount various entities and the Park’s employees.

Head of the State Administration for Environmental Protection in Ternopil Region O. V. Singalevych emphasized that Zalishchyky has acquired a new powerful ecological organization as well as additional workplaces for the community.

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