ALIEN MACROINVERATEBRATES AND FISH IN THE DNIEPER RIVER BASIN
The study results on spread, pathways, vectors and ecological impact of alien invertebrate species and fish in Dnieper River basin are presented. The relationship between invasive processes and basin hydrology is analyzed. It is shown that the main factor in spreading of alien species in the central part of basin was the construction of reservoirs. The main reasons to promote the spreading of alien species were “limnesation” of river and introduction of the Ponto-Caspian species into the reservoirs. The differences in pathways and vectors for upstream, middle and downstream parts of the river were established. In the reservoirs in the middle part of the river the main pathway was intentional introduction whereas that for the upstream were shipping and natural spread. The “black list” of invertebrates and fish is presented.