Comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact of coastal development in the Dnipro River, exemplified by the city of Dnipro

The paper analyses the current state and ecological value of the natural and anthropogenic sections of the floodplain of the middle Dnipro. A comprehensive ecological assessment of the impact of development in the area of the confluence of the Dnipro and Samara rivers included an analysis of the lithological composition of soils in terms of construction suitability and modelling of possible geomorphological and hydrological risks (landslides, flooding). The degradation of the aquatic environment due to man-made pressures on coastal zones was also considered, with the main factors identified being urbanisation, wastewater discharge, transport pollution, and regional anthropogenic impact. The degradation of floodplain landscapes in the Dnipro agglomeration due to development was analysed, along with the risks posed by hazardous natural processes and the disruption of the territory’s hydrogeological regime. It was established that the studied area is an unstable natural and anthropogenic formation composed of secondary washed sands, which are subjected to the pressure of turbulent currents of the Dnipro River and the Archierey Strait. This increases the risk of shoreline erosion and landslides. Based on field observations and satellite image analysis for the period from 1984 to 2024, the dynamics of residential landscape formation in the near-Dnipro part of the city of Dnipro were traced. It was established that since the 1990s, renaturalisation processes have intensified, resulting in the formation of a floodplain forest-meadow complex with a predominance of deciduous tree plantations. The territory is characterised by high biotic diversity and the mosaicity of microlandscapes, which create conditions for the existence of various species of fauna. It has been demonstrated that the most rational scenario for the development of the territory is the creation of a strict water protection zone, which will minimise technogenic risks and preserve the ecosystem services of floodplain landscapes. Analysis of satellite images and archival materials confirmed the long-term trend of the absorption of natural floodplains by urban development — from the transformations of the Dnipro Valley in the 1930s–1970s to the modern urbanisation phase.