Ancient defensive earthworks as refuge of steppe flora in Ukraine

The most renowned among them are the Zmiievi Valy, a multi-tiered system of defensive structures constructed during the period of Kyivan Rus. Their total length originally measured 969.5 km; however, according to the findings of archaeologist Mykhailo Kuchera in 1987, only 234 km (24.1%) remained preserved by that time (Kuchera 1987, 2005).

Additionally, ramparts were often constructed around cities for defensive purposes. While these fortifications have been extensively studied from historical and archaeological perspectives, their biodiversity remains poorly explored. Only a limited number of studies have addressed this subject (Parnikoza et al. 2009; Vasyliuk et al. 2012; Perehrym et al. 2017).