PROSPECTS OF PRESERVING VALUABLE FOREST ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH EXPANDING THE TERRITORY OF THE «GORGAN» NATURE RESERVE

Abstract

The article discusses the results of a study of the planned expansion of the territory of the “Gorgany” nature reserve. The total area of the expansion territory is 5308 hectares. It is located within the Nadvirnya and Kalush districts of the Ivano-Frankivsk region. The purpose of the study is to analyze the prospects for preserving valuable forest ecosystems of Gorgany as a result of the planned expansion of its territory. 3 clusters are proposed as the expansion territory: Bystrytsky, Syvulyansky and Grofetsky. The predominant type of vegetation in the expansion territory is forest, which occupies about 90% of the area. Stone placers, distributed mainly in the upper parts of the slopes and on the ridge crests, occupy about 8% of the reserve territory. Meadow-type groups account for about 1%, and rivers and streams – 0.2% of the expansion territory. Among the forests, phytocenoses of the Piceeta abietis formation prevail, which occupy about 80% of the area covered by forest vegetation, the rest is occupied by phytocenoses of the Fageta sylvaticae, Abieta albae, Pineta sylvestris, Pineta cembrae, Pineta mugi formations. The specific edaphic conditions of the expansion territory contributed to the preservation of foci of relict groups of European cedar pine (Pinus cembra L.) and mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra) and relict Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Increasing the area of the Gorgany nature reserve due to the expansion territory will make it possible to preserve typical and unique forest natural complexes. The importance of preserving forest ecosystems as dominant ones is associated with the preservation of rare endemic associations, an example of which is Sorbo aucupariae-Aceretum pseudоplatani from the Tilio platyphyllis-Acerion pseudoplatani alliance, the Pineta cembrae formation, listed in the Green Book of Forests of Ukraine, as well as with a high degree of preservation of associations characteristic of Gorgany. The value of the projected expansion territory lies in the presence of areas of virgin forests, quasi-virgin forests and natural forests (having the status of virgin forest natural monuments) and other valuable nature conservation objects. It has been established that the inclusion of objects of the nature reserve fund and virgin forest natural monuments located within the clusters of the expansion territory into the «Gorgany» nature reserve will allow for more effective preservation of natural complexes by granting them a higher nature conservation status within continuous clusters.