BEECH FORESTS OF THE "VYZHNYTSKYI NATIONAL NATURAL PARK": CURRENT SANITARY CONDITION AND PROBLEMS OF PRESERVATION

Abstract

The beech primeval forests of the Vyzhnytskyi National Natural Park are a unique cultural heritage and play a special role for the Carpathian region and Ukraine as a whole, therefore they are strictly protected in the territories of the nature reserve fund, performing ecological, educational and scientific-cognitive functions. In this regard, monitoring the current state of the beech forests of the Vyzhnytskyi National Natural Park and highlighting the problem of their preservation becomes relevant. In the course of conducting research, classical and modern methods of forestry research were used, as well as specific methods of phytosanitary monitoring and comparative ecology. The massif of primeval beech forests of the Vyzhnytskyi National Natural Park is characterized by a remarkable diversity of fungi. We identified fruiting bodies of wood-destroying fungi on the trunks of beech trees: Fomes fomentarius (L. ex Fr.) Gill., Daedalea quercina L. ex Fr., Phellinus igniarius (L.: Fr.) Quel, Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.: Fr.) Bond. et Sing., Coriolus versicolor (L.) Quél., Stereum hirsutum (Willd.) Pers., Daldinia concentrica (Bolton) Ces. & De Not., Аrmillariella mellea (Vahl) P.Karst., and Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P.Kumm. Groups of Coprinus micaceus (Fr.) and Hypholoma capnoides (Fr. ex Fr.) Kumm were noted near rotten beech stumps. We also came across a unique find the invasive red-listed Clathrus archeri (Berk.) Dring. In the course of surveys, fruiting bodies of typical representatives of the marsupial class Xylaria polymorpha (Pers.) Grev., and Xylaria hypoxylon (L.: Fr.) Grev). Representatives of xylophilic ascomycetes were identified on the dead trunk of a European beech Bisporella citrina (Batsch) Korf et S.E. Carp. Symptoms of dieback of central shoots and side branches, dieback of European beech bark, which is directly related to the vital activity of Nectria ditissima Tul., were recorded. & C.Tul. Cumulative manifestations of infectious and non-infectious pathologies were noted. The problems of preserving the beech forests of the Vyzhnytskyi National Natural Park should include: intensive and uncontrolled economic activity; irresponsible behavior of tourists (arson, mechanical damage, littering, poaching, etc.); construction of highways and tourist centers in the immediate vicinity of primeval forests; damage to forest stands due to atmospheric air pollution, climate change; significant spread of pests or pathogens of forest diseases; danger of forest fires; recreational load and livestock grazing. Given the role and importance of the beech forests of the Vyzhnytskyi National Natural Park, a comprehensive study of the forest systems is necessary to preserve these unique resources.