Agriculture and forestry

Razanov Serhii – Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor of the Department of Forestry and Horticulture, Faculty of Ecology, Forestry and Horticulture, Educational and Scientific Institute of Agricultural Technologies and Nature Management of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University (21008, Vinnytsya, Soniachna st. 3. e-mail: razanov@vsau.vin.ua).

Matusiak Mikhailo – Сandidate of Agricultural Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Forestry and Horticulture, Faculty of Ecology, Forestry and Horticulture, Educational and Scientific Institute of Agricultural Technologies and Nature Management of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University (21008, Vinnytsya, Soniachna st. 3. e-mail: mikhailo1988@gmail.com).

Bondar Anatoliy – Full Member of the Forestry Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor (vinwood@mail3.nest.vn.ua).

Razanova Alla – PhD Degrees in Environmental Studies, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Forestry and Horticulture, Faculty of Ecology, Forestry and Horticulture, Educational and Scientific Institute of Agricultural Technologies and Nature Management of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University (21008, Vinnytsya, Soniachna st. 3. e-mail: razanovaalla68@gmail.com).

Kutsenko Mykola – graduate student of the department of ecology and environmental protection of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University. (21008, Vinnytsia, Sonyachna str. 3; e-mail: nicolaskutsenko@gmail.com).

Today, under conditions of increasing technogenic pressure on the environment, the issue of heavy metal accumulation in the trophic chains of forest ecosystems is becoming increasingly important. Game animals, as an essential component of biocenoses, are sensitive to environmental pollution levels and can serve as reliable bioindicators of ecological conditions. The aim of the study was to assess the accumulation levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in the organisms of wild ungulates – wild boar (Sus scrofa L.) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) harvested in the hunting grounds of the Haisyn Forest Enterprise, a branch of the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine (Vinnytsia region).

The material for the study consisted of biological samples that reflect the characteristics of toxic element accumulation in game animals as components of forest ecosystems. The content of heavy metals was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. To provide an integrated assessment of toxic load, the hazard coefficient (Hc) was applied, allowing comparison of heavy metal accumulation levels with established regulatory standards.

It was found that the level of toxic element content largely depends on the animal species, which is likely determined by their bioecological characteristics and feeding behavior. The highest concentrations of Pb and Zn were detected in roe deer, while Cd showed a tendency to accumulate predominantly in wild boar. Overall, the intensity of heavy metal accumulation was moderate, with some values approaching the maximum permissible limits. The obtained results confirm the feasibility of using game animals as natural bioindicators for environmental monitoring of forest ecosystems. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the ecological state of forest habitats and is relevant to both game management and broader environmental assessment.

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