EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

the presence of numerous woodpecker species of the Palearctic realm across the nominated
series. However, the research of affiliation of the listed endangered species with the beech
primeval forests continues. E. g., with regard to the presence of dead wood, it is assumed that
CWD not only generates new habitats for saproxylic species but also influences habitat
structures of the nearby forest floor. According to the theory of spatial heterogeneity
(Simpson 1964; Mac Arthur 1965) the presence of CWD increases the assemblage-wide
carrying capacity, resulting in enhanced densities and higher species richness. According to
Topp et al. (2006), the effect of CWD on litter dwelling beetles is apparently dependent of the
forest type.
2.2 The rapid decomposition of coarse woody debris
and intense biogeochemical cycling is documented
by the figure bellow. The spikes in the organic
carbon content down to the depth of almost 50 cm
and their spatial coincidence with decaying logs
indicate an extremely fast biogeochemical cycling in
the Vihorlat beech primeval forest growing on an
Andosol. In fact, the tree logs disappear within a few
years when in contact with the soil, as opposed to a
decade or more in beech primeval forests on other
substrates. Indeed it may be such as specific
combination of factors that features an unusual
dynamics (vigorous natural regeneration) and
richness of xylobiotic organisms (Pichler et al.
2006). The research on the patterns of mutual
dependence and synergies continues.
3) Buffer Zones and Corridors
3.1 While the role of the buffer zones is to help ensure the integrity of the core zones, the
importance of the connecting corridors rests with linking the nominated properties
geographically and ecologically with several aims:
a) enable exchange of biological information;
b) designation of the corridors as areas to be converted into as close-to-nature as
possible, ideally natural, contiguous complex of beech forest, eventually perhaps
allowing for the extension of the core zones in the future.
It should be emphasized that the area-designation of the connecting corridors drew primarily
on the existence of nature (primeval), natural and semi-natural forests (also managed) forests
tesserae, combining into a mosaic, not entirely intact but still capable of fulfilling all functions
expected to be provided by the corridors as defined in a) and b).
3.2 The management of the respective sectors within the connecting corridors will change
irrespective of the nomination process outcome. Parts of them will be included within
expanded or new national parks boundaries and nature protected areas in Ukraine. A
dedicated project has been prepared and submitted in order to identify optimal conservation
management regimes for the connecting corridors sectors (see the enclosed Compendium of
Project Pre-Proposals and Call-Lines developed on the ERA ENV Platform, Pre-Proposal No.
3, page 22–30).
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