Vitaly Pavlovich Semenchenko (b. 22.01.1951, v. Parafievka, Ichnyany district, Chernihiv region), a scientist in the field of hydrobiology and ecology of freshwater ecosystems. Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (2004), Doctor of Biological Sciences (1991).
Fundamental researches were carried out on the combined effect of temperature and trophic factors on the biological characteristics of zooplankton, and the processes occurring in the zooplankton community of the littoral zone of lakes of different types were investigated. On the basis of the developed new method, a full-scale simulation of succession processes occurring when zooplankton colonized artificial biotopes in conditions of the depleted littoral zone of the lake was carried out. Studies have been carried out to determine the ecological quality of water in the rivers of Belarus using the approaches of the European Framework Water Directive; a new index has been developed for assessing the ecological status of lakes. The necessity of studying the invasion of alien species into aquatic and forest ecosystems of the Republic of Belarus has been substantiated, an inventory of alien fauna has been carried out, new invasive species and ways of their penetration have been identified. The concept of wildlife monitoring and its elements has been developed, monitoring studies have been conducted on aquatic invertebrates included in the Red Book of Belarus.
Author of more than 150 scientific papers, incl. 6 monographs and textbooks.
Prize of three academies of sciences (Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus), medal of G.G. Vinberg of the Russian Hydrobiological Society.