A roundtable discussion entitled “Wetlands of the Middle Dnipro Region and their role in natural ecosystems and local communities” was held at the Educational-Scientific Institute of Natural and Agrarian Sciences of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy.

Every year on 2 February, the global community marks World Wetlands Day. This date is dedicated to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, signed on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar. The year 2026 is special, as the Convention celebrates its 55^th anniversary.

On this occasion, an educational event was organised. The roundtable brought together scholars, representatives of state authorities, employees of nature conservation institutions, as well as students – biologists, ecologists, and future teachers of biology and chemistry. The event was held in a hybrid format.

Maksym Havryliuk, Director of the Educational-Scientific Institute of Natural and Agrarian Sciences, addressed the audience with opening remarks, emphasising the importance of wetlands for human existence and biodiversity preservation. He noted that this year’s observance is being held under the slogan: “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: honouring cultural heritage”.

The roundtable participants discussed a number of pressing issues.

Liudmila Dovha, Head of the Department of Land and Water Resources and Nature Conservation of the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Cherkasy Regional State Administration, delivered a report entitled “Protected areas as a tool for wetland conservation”.

Iryna Rabyk, Candidate of Biological Sciences (National Nature Park “Biloozerskyi”) and Vasyl Shevchyk, Candidate of Biological Sciences (Kaniv Nature Reserve; National Nature Park “Biloozerskyi”) spoke about the wetland ecosystems of NNP “Biloozerskyi” under wartime conditions: their state, threats, prospects for conservation and protection.

The topic of World Wetlands Day as a symbol of unity, responsibility, and evolving annual priorities was addressed by Serhii Panchenko, Doctor of Biological Sciences (National Nature Park “Kholodnyi Yar”).

Oleksandr Iliukha, Candidate of Biological Sciences, and Maksym Havryliuk, Candidate of Biological Sciences (Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy; NNP “Kholodnyi Yar”) spoke about amphibian populations within the territory of the National Nature Park “Kholodnyi Yar” and the current risks to their survival under climate change conditions.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions and gain new knowledge about the importance of wetlands for preserving biodiversity in the Middle Dnipro Region.

The roundtable participants expressed their opinions on strengthening the efforts of scholars and community residents for the further preservation of wetlands.

The Educational-Scientific Institute of Natural and Agrarian Sciences