The habitat diversity and its sosological evaluation of the Lviv museum of folk architecture as an example of previous analysis of anthropogenic landscape demutations

Abstract

The habitats diversity of Lviv Skansen was researched and it sozological value was estimated. On the territory of Skansen, 19 types of habitats belonging to 12 groups of 7 classes have been identified and described. Among them, 14 types have an anthropogenic origin, 3 – semi-natural, and only one – natural. On the territory of the museum were found 2 species of vascular plants listed in the Red Book of Ukraine – Allium ursinum L. and Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz, as well as naturalized populations of cultural Crocus sp. and Leucojum vernum L. From the sozological point of view, tree habitats – highly artificial broadleaved deciduous forestry plantations, coniferous forestry plantations and hard water source settlements on tuff and travertine formations – are of the greatest importance. The last one is a new type of habitat for region, barely studied. Currently, only one location is known in the vicinity of Lviv (Bryukhovychi). On the territory of the European Union, this habitat is included in the list of particularly valuable habitats of the NATURA-2000 environmental network. Highly artificial broadleaved deciduous forestry plantations habitats, although formed by non-native species, are currently ongoing through demutation proces. During the years of absence any cuttings or other forms of management, the plantations of Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Aesculus hippocastanum L. were replaced by semi-natural forests from young undergrowth of Betula pendula Roth, Acer platanoides L. and Picea abies (L.) H.Karst. The grass layer in these forestry plantations is represented by fragments of typical nemoral species. Thus, despite the anthropogenic origin of the habitats formed in Lviv Skansen, they play an important role in the conservation and distribution of biodiversity and help maintain the stability of green corridors of sub- and urban areas.