Infertile and Less Infertile Forest Types in the Ukrainian Carpathians: Classification and Complementation

Abstract

Forest typology is yet to get sufficiently integrated into related ecological and geographical sciences. The succession of plant phytocenoses necessitates constant adjustments to forest types. The discussed studies have been conducted to improve the classification of forest types in the Ukrainian Carpathians and bring the description closer to the actual distribution of vegetation within the studied area. The paper provides a detailed analysis of forest typology research for the Ukrainian Carpathians area during late 20th and early 21st century. The forest fund areas of the Carpathian region, which are subordinated to the State Agency of Forest Resources of Ukraine, have been classified by forest vegetation types. Total area of subor and coniferous forest types is 1,493.1 ha and 28,910.2 ha, respectively. The study involved establishing of permanent sample plots on the territory of nature protection institutions and forest management enterprises. According to the findings, it is proposed to complement the classification of subor and coniferous forest type as defined by Z.Yu. Herushynskyi on the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians with the following types: fresh pine subor forest type, wet pine subor forest type, and wet pine coniferous type. The paper defines the main diagnostic features of the suggested forest types. These subor and coniferous forest types can be clearly distinguished from other forest types by soil and hydrological conditions, and can be used to describe the corresponding forest vegetation types. The correctness of definition of new forest types is confirmed with a set of plant indicator species that have been identified within the relevant areas. The findings provide a better understanding of forest ecology and make a significant contribution to forest typology studies on the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians. Another step towards researching the patterns of the establishment of plant complexes in the Ukrainian Carpathians has been taken. Forest formations of the Carpathians are presented in more detail in forest typological science