ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT AND LEGAL FRAMEWORKS FOR FOREST BIO-RESOURCES IN EASTERN POLESIE: INTEGRATING Vaccinium myrtillus AND Aronia melanocarpa INTO EU BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORKS AND INTERNATIONAL FOOD SAFETY STANDARDS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v23.5402Keywords:
Ecological Management, Forest Bio-Resources, Codex Alimentarius, EU Biodiversity Strategy, Emerald NetworkAbstract
The sustainable management of forest bio-resources in the Eastern Polesie (Ukraine) requires a complex legal and ecological approach to meet global standards. This study evaluates the integration of native Vaccinium myrtillus L. and introduced Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott into the EU biodiversity frameworks and international food safety protocols. Based on extensive field research in the Nevklia and Tupychiv forestries, we established that bilberry productivity in Molinio-Pinetum associations reaches 550 kg/ha, while intensive Aronia plantations yield up to 5,000 kg/ha. Ecotoxicological analysis verified that Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) concentrations in the fruits and shoots of both species (0.030–0.033 mg/kg dry weight) are 10–15 times lower than the Maximum Levels (MLs) established by the Codex Alimentarius (CXS 193-1995, 2025). Furthermore, the presence of rare orchids protected under the CITES Convention and the Red Data Book of Ukraine within managed forest areas confirms the ecological safety of this "dual-resource" model. The results provide a robust regulatory and methodological basis for the ecological management of forestry enterprises within the Emerald Network, ensuring compliance with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and international GACP requirements.
References
Bharath. L. P.. Cavalcanti. R. R. M.. Petersen. C.. Begaye. N.. Cutler. B. R.. Costa. M. M. A.. Ramos. R. K. L. G.. Ferreira. M. R.. Li. Y.. Bharath. L. P.. Agnihotri. K.. Gray. R.. Groat. D.. Sargsyan. A.. Cho. J. M.. Symons. J. D.. Anandh Babu. P. V.. … Jalili. T. (2018). Blueberry metabolites attenuate lipotoxicity-induced endothelial dysfunction. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 62(2). Article 1700601. http://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.20170061
Branch "Horodnia Forest Enterprise" of the SE "Forests of Ukraine". (2024. March). Zvit z otsinky vplyvu na dovkillya "Vykorystannya lisovykh resursiv v poryadku provedennya rubok holovnoho korystuvannya ta sutsilnykh sanitarnykh rubok" [Report on the environmental impact assessment "Use of forest resources in the order of main use felling and continuous sanitary felling"]. Snovsk City Council. https://snovmr.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Zvit_OVD_Gorodnyanske_proyekt2024_dlya-gromadskosti.pdf
Brand. M. H.. Obae. S. G.. Mahoney. J. D.. & Connolly. B. A. (2022). Ploidy. genetic diversity and speciation of the genus Aronia. Scientia Horticulturae. 291. Article 110604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2021.110604.
Buda. V.. Andor. M.. Diana. A.. Ardelean. F.. Zinuca Pavel. I.. Dehelean. C.. Soica. C.. Folescu. R.. Andrei. F.. & Danciu. C. (2021). Cardioprotective effects of cultivated black chokeberries (Aronia spp.): Traditional uses. phytochemistry and therapeutic effects. In K. Sharma. K. Mishra. K. K. Senapati. & C. Danciu (Eds.). Bioactive compounds in nutraceutical and functional food for good human health (pp. 147–168). IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92238
Cai. B.. Vancov. T.. Si. H.. Yang. W.. Tong. K.. Chen. W.. & Fang. Y. (2021). Isolation and characterization of endomycorrhizal fungi associated with growth promotion of blueberry plants. Journal of fungi (Basel. Switzerland). 7(8). Article 584. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof7080584
Cassidy. A.. Rogers. G.. Peterson. J. J.. Dwyer. J. T.. Lin. H.. & Jacques. P. F. (2015). Higher dietary anthocyanin and flavonol intakes are associated with anti-inflammatory effects in a population of US adults. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 102(1). 172–181. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.108555
CITES. (2023). Appendices I. II and III valid from 21 May 2023. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/EN/legal-content/summary/convention-on-international-trade-in-endangered-species-of-wild-fauna-and-flora.html
Codex Alimentarius Commission. (2025). General standard for contaminants and toxins in food and feed (CXS 193-1995). Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme
Council of Europe. (1979). Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention). European Treaty Series No. 104. https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/references/1564
Didukh. Y. P. (Ed.). (2009). Chervona knyha Ukrainy. Roslynnyi svit [Red Data Book of Ukraine. Vegetable kingdom]. Alterpress.
Duan. Y.. Wei. X.. Zhao. W.. Li. J.. Yang. G.. Zhou. S.. Zhou. C.. Zhang. L.. Li. P.. Hou. S.. Shi. D.. Liu. C.. & Guo. B. (2023). Natural bioactive substances in fruits of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott exposed to combined light-type. chitosan oligosaccharide. and spent mushroom residue treatments. Plants (Basel. Switzerland). 12(3). 604. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030604
Ekiert. H.. Kubica. P.. & Szopa. A. (2021). Successful cultivation and utilization of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott (black chokeberry). a species of North-American origin. in Poland and the biosynthetic potential of cells from in vitro cultures. In H. M. Ekiert. K. G. Ramawat. & J. Arora (Eds.). Medicinal plants: Sustainable development and biodiversity (Vol. 28. pp. 111–152). Springer. Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74779-4_4
Ellenberg. H. (1974). Zeigerwerte der Gefäßpflanzen Mitteleuropas [Indicator values of vascular plants in Central Europe] (Vol. 9). Scripta Geobotanica.
European Commission. (2020). EU biodiversity strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives (COM/2020/380 final). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0380
European Environment Agency. (n.d.). Emerald Network – General Viewer. Retrieved March 16. 2026. from https://emerald.eea.europa.eu/
Gurčík. Ľ.. Bajusová. Z.. Ladvenicová. J.. Palkovič. J.. & Novotná. K. (2023). Cultivation and Processing of Modern Superfood—Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry) in Slovak Republic. Agriculture. 13(3). Article 604. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13030604
Jennings. A.. Welch. A. A.. Spector. T.. Macgregor. A.. & Cassidy. A. (2014). Intakes of anthocyanins and flavones are associated with biomarkers of insulin resistance and inflammation in women. The Journal of nutrition. 144(2). 202–208. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.113.184358
Kalt. W.. Cassidy. A.. Howard. L. R.. Krikorian. R.. Stull. A. J.. Tremblay. F.. & Zamora-Ros. R. (2020). Recent research on the health benefits of blueberries and their anthocyanins. Advances in nutrition. 11(2). 224–236. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz065
Kapanadze. K.. Magalashvili. A.. & Imnadze. P. (2019). Distribution of natural radionuclides in the soils and assessment of radiation hazards in the Khrami Late Variscan crystal massif (Georgia). Heliyon. 5(3). Article e01377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01377
Kislitsina. A.. Egoshina. T.. & Luginina. E. (2021). Ecological and coenotic characteristics of Vaccinium myrtillus L. in southern taiga forest communities. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 677(5). Article 052120. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/677/5/052120
Kokotkiewicz. A.. Jaremicz. Z.. & Luczkiewicz. M. (2010). Aronia plants: A review of traditional use. biological activities. and perspectives for modern medicine. Journal of Medicinal Food. 13(2). 255–269. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2009.0062
Li. D.. Zhang. Y.. Liu. Y.. Sun. R.. & Xia. M. (2015). Purified anthocyanin supplementation reduces dyslipidemia. enhances antioxidant capacity. and prevents insulin resistance in diabetic patients. The Journal of nutrition. 145(4). 742–748. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.114.205674
Lukash. O.. Melnyk. V.. Danko. H.. Rak. O.. Karpenko. Y.. & Buzunko. P. (2020). Phytocenotic features of Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hill in Ukrainian Polesie. Ecological Questions. 31(3). 73–107. https://doi.org/10.12775/EQ.2020.024
Mahoney. J. D.. Hau. T. M.. Connolly. B. A.. & Brand. M. H. (2019). Sexual and apomictic seed reproduction in Aronia species with different ploidy levels. HortScience. 54(4). 642–646. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI13772-18
Mezhenskyj. V. M.. Shevchuk. L. M.. Kovalchuk. S. P.. Havryliuk. O. S.. Levchuk. L. M.. Babenko. S. M.. & Vintskovska. Y. Y. (2024). Phytochemical analysis of Aronia melanocarpa and ×Sorbaronia fallax fruit. Regulatory Mechanisms in Biosystems. 15(1). 49–54. https://doi.org/10.15421/022407
Myhal. A. V.. & Bokoch. V. V. (2017). Nederevni resursy: navch. posib. [Non-wood resources: A study guide]. Hoverla.
Petković. M.. Filipović. V.. Filipović. J.. Đurović. I.. Miletić. N.. & Radovanović. J. (2021). Chemical. antioxidative. and sensory characteristics of wheat bread partially substituted with black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa L.) powder. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation. 45(1). Article e15027. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.15027
Rautio. P.. Fürst. A.. Stefan. K.. Raitio. H.. & Bartels. U. (2020). Part XII: Sampling and analysis of needles and leaves (Version 2020-3). In UNECE ICP Forests Programme Co-ordinating Centre (Eds.). Manual on methods and criteria for harmonized sampling. assessment. monitoring and analysis of the effects of air pollution on forests. Thünen Institute of Forest Ecosystems.
Read. D. J.. & Stribley. D. P. (1973). Effect of mycorrhizal infection on nitrogen and phosphorus nutrition of ericaceous plants. Nature New Biology. 244(133). 81–82. https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio244081a0
Rusea. I.. Popescu. A.. Hoza. D.. Isac. V.. & Oprea. M. I. (2022). In vitro rooting and acclimatization ex vitro of Aronia melanocarpa cv. ‘Nero’. Journal of Horticulture. Forestry and Biotechnology. 26(1). 17–22. http://www.journal-hfb.usab-tm.ro.
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. (2011). Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity. United Nations. https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVII-8-b&chapter=27&clang=_en
State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine. (2024a. August). Taksatsiynyi opys zemelnykh dilyanok lisovoho fondu stanom na 01.01.2022 rik. Tupychivske lisnytstvo [Taxation description of forest fund land plots as of January 1. 2022. Tupychiv forestry]. Northern Interregional Directorate of Forestry and Hunting. https://n.forest.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/740205_частина1.pdf
State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine. (2024b. August). Taksatsiynyi opys zemelnykh dilyanok lisovoho fondu stanom na 01.01.2022 rik. Nevklyanske lisnytstvo [Taxation description of forest fund land plots as of January 1. 2022. Nevklia forestry]. Northern Interregional Directorate of Forestry and Hunting. https://n.forest.gov.ua/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/740204_частина1.pdf
Timoshok. E. E. (2000). The ecology of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) in Western Siberia. Russian Journal of Ecology. 31(1). 8–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02799719
Tundis. R.. Tenuta. M. C.. Loizzo. M. R.. Bonesi. M.. Finetti. F.. Trabalzini. L.. & Deguin. B. (2021). Vaccinium species (Ericaceae): From chemical composition to bio-functional activities. Applied Sciences. 11(12). Article 5655. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11125655
World Health Organization. (2003). WHO guidelines on good agricultural and collection practices (GACP) for medicinal plants. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241546271
Yakubenko. B. E.. Popovych. S. Y.. Ustymenko. P. M.. Dubyna. D. V.. & Churilov. A. M. (2018). Geobotany: Methodological aspects of research. Lira-K.
Zhu. Y.. Ling. W.. Guo. H.. Song. F.. Ye. Q.. Zou. T.. Li. D.. Zhang. Y.. Li. G.. Xiao. Y.. Liu. F.. Li. Z.. Shi. Z.. & Yang. Y. (2013). Anti-inflammatory effect of purified dietary anthocyanin in adults with hypercholesterolemia: A randomized controlled trial. Nutrition. Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. 23(9). 843–849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2012.06.005
Zhu. Y.. Xia. M.. Yang. Y.. Liu. F.. Li. Z.. Hao. Y.. Mi. M.. Jin. T.. & Ling. W. (2011). Purified anthocyanin supplementation improves endothelial function via NO-cGMP activation in hypercholesterolemic individuals. Clinical Chemistry. 57(11). 1524–1533. https://doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2011.167361
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
I (we) submit this article which is original and unpublished, of my (our) own authorship, to the evaluation of the Veredas do Direito Journal, and agree that the related copyrights will become exclusive property of the Journal, being prohibited any partial or total copy in any other part or other printed or online communication vehicle dissociated from the Veredas do Direito Journal, without the necessary and prior authorization that should be requested in writing to Editor in Chief. I (we) also declare that there is no conflict of interest between the articles theme, the author (s) and enterprises, institutions or individuals.
I (we) recognize that the Veredas do Direito Journal is licensed under a CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE.
Licença Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
