TUFAGENOUS COMPLEXES OF THE PARK ENSEMBLES OF WESTERN PODILLIA

Abstract

The petrifying springs complexes in park ensemblens of Western Podillia on the example of the historical park at the Orlovsky’s estate (Maliivtsi village, Kamianets-Podilskyi district, Khmelnytskyi region) and the park-monument of landscape art of local importance "Kamanets-Podilskyi Park" in the city of Kamianets-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi region were investigated. It was established that tufa-forming complexes within the park landscapes of Western Podillia are unique anthropogenicnatural formations. Note that they were not foreseen by the original projects, but were the result of redirecting the springs flow into one (Malyivtsi village) or several (Kamyanetsia-Podilskyi City) narrow streams. As a result of the transformation of the hydrodynamics of the springs, rare anthropogenic morphotypes of the fluvial sedimentation model were formed – namely calcareous channel and tubes. The leading role in the formation of these objects is played by the synergy of physicochemical deposition and the vital activity of micro- and bryobiota. Тhese organisms form both structural and textural features of the complexes – microbialites in the stream bed and pulvinoid and plexoid bryolites in the walls and slopes of the calcareous channels. The tufa-forming complexes demonstrate a high rate of regeneration and growth, but at the same time remain extremely vulnerable to changes in the hydrodynamic regime and high recreational pressure. Further development of infrastructure (construction of platforms and ecotrails) will allow to streamline visitor logistics, minimize mechanical damage of vulnerable areas, make these locations into integral geoheritage sites, and preserve their aesthetic value without limiting of recreational function. Thus, tufa-forming complexes within the park ensembles of Western Podillia form anthropogenic, but rare models of modern travertine formation and have high historical, sacred and environmental value. Due to their vulnerability to external influences, they require proper protection and planning of conservation measures. The tufa-forming complexes give interesting relief shapes to the park landscapes in which they are located, and are also interesting geo-attractions sites for ecological tourism and contribute to the popularization of the geological heritage of the region of Western Podillia.