Reservoirs in a lower part of Khadzhibejski liman
Description of the area
Khadzhibejski liman (lagoon, estuary) is situated on the Black Sea shore roughly 7 km from Odessa. It was came into existence as a result of the flooding of the river Malyj KujalТnik by the Black Sea. The lagoon is separated from the sea by a natural dam of 4,5 km wide, 5 km long and a height above-sea level of 2 to 2,5 m. The date where the lagoon was separated from the sea is unknown, but it is known that in the XY century it was still connected with the Sea (Molodetsky et al., 2002). The lagoon covers an area of over 2.7 square km and is 40 km long with a width of 0,8 to 3,5 km. The depth varies from 4 to almost 7 meter (Starushenko L.I., Bushuev S.G. 2001).
The north part the lagoon is shallow, in the direction to the sea the depth is increasing. The salinity of Khadzhibekski lagoon varies strongly (22-155 Й) and is strongly impacted by rivers (Lagoons and river outlets complexes of the Black Sea region: geographical basis of economic learning, 1988). Nowadays the salinity decreased to an average of 4,34 Й (National report about state of nature environment in Ukraine. Odessa Province. 1997-2001. On-line version).
In the end of 90Тs of XIX century on the bank of Khadzhibejski lagoon a large park with a pond was created. In 1941 the dam was broken by high seawater and the park was destroyed by saline waters of the liman (Molodetsky et al., 2002). The dam was restored but the park was not rebuild and only a small pond on the territory of clinical sanatorium УKhadzhibejФ (South-Western bank of the liman, Usatovo village) remains. This pond is a suitable place for many species of Odonata. The pond is fed by a flowing stream.
In the 1880ies, a project was started to make a system of floatable drainage on the South bank of Khadzhibejski lagoon. A wide zone of filtration fields were created where waste waters from the city came in. In the middle of 1960ties the water, muds and leached of the lagoon were believed to be of perfect medical properties. The increased pressure on the lagoon due to the use as reservoir-storage for waste water from Odessa deteriorated the quality of the water. Till now filtration fields are the factors that have a negative influence on the ecosystem of the lagoon (Starushenko, Bushuev, 2001). The impact of the waste water from Odessa is momentarily the main ecological problem of the area (Molodetsky et al., 2002).
Management of the area
The territory is not protected and is strongly impacted with water pollution and road construction. Close to the reservoirs a children clinical sanatorium УKhadzhibejФ subordinated to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health is situated. The former filtration fields are situated near the selected area.
Value for dragonflies
Over 24 species are known for this area. Among Odonata species of European concern Coenagrion ornatum occurs near the pond. This pond is fed by a stream and this stream might be the preferred habitat of the species. C. ornatum was registered only for one pond in the area and the population is threatened. S. pedemontanum, a species rare in the SW Ukraine, is also known from this area (Altestovo village).
Advice for management
Protecting of small vulnerable ponds, prevent of waste disposal and water quality control.
Pond in the lower part of Khadzhibejski liman, in Usatovo village. C. ornatum habitat. Photo A. Petrosyan
