EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

illustrated by the inventory data of beech primeval forest on a 10 ha Ukrainian-Swiss
permanent plot in Uholka – Shyrokyi Luh. Variability of forest taxation data of the 40 plots
within the 10 hectare inventory plot are given in Table 2 and Fig. 3. Their vigorous growth,
vitality and dynamics of beech and its stands document the fact that they grow in their
physiological and ecological optima.
Tab. 2: Taxation parameters taken in Uholka – Shyrokyi Luh
Main forest taxation data of the stand (10
ha plot)
Mean Min. Max
Number of living trees per 1 ha 217 140 336
Cross cut diameter (m 2 ) 38.4 22 51.8
Standing volume (living trees) per 1 ha (m 3 ) 767 421 1042
Volume of dead wood (m 3 ) 73 0 308
Mean diameter (cm) 39.4 21.8 54.4
Mean diameter of dominant layer (cm) 63.1 42.3 74.1
Mean height of dominant
layer (m)
40.2 33.6 42.8
Fig. 2: 220-year-long life cycle of beech
primeval forest in Havešová (Slovakia)
Number of trees per ha
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
10 14 18 22 26 30 34 38 42 46 50 54 58 62 66 70 74 78 82 86 90 94 98 102 106 110 114
Diameter class, cm
Fig. 3: Distribution Figure. Distribution of trees of number according of trees according to to diameter diameter class class in
Uholka – Shyrokyi Luh (Uholka)
Data in Tab. 3 illustrate the extremely fast decomposition of coarse woody debris due to
activity of xylobitic organisms, which entirely decompose the logs within 6−7 years. The
existence of these monodominant beech forests allows for a long-term research of beech
primeval forests, which represents a significant added value from the point of science; the
respective localities have been subject to a periodical, 50 year long systematic forestry and
ecological research using a common methodical, internationally accepted approach (Zlatník et
al. 1938, Stoiko 1973, Korpeľ 1989, Parpan 1994, Saniga, Schütz 2001, Vološčuk 2003,
Commarmot 2005, Brang 2005). The value of this complex research is enhanced by the
overall excellent conservation of entire ecosystems including plants and animals (including
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