COST Action E 52 - vTI - Bund.de

GeNeTIc resources oF beech (Fagus sylvatica)
IN The rePubLIc oF moLdova
GHEORGHE POSTOLACHE – DRAGOS POSTOLACHE
Botanical Garden (Institute), Academy of Sciences, Department of Geobotany
and Forestry, Padurii 18, MD-2002 Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
absTracT
This paper presents data about the natural distribution, establishment of natural distribution maps,
diversity analysis, forest regeneration applications, inventory of genetic resources, in situ conservation
and rational use of forest genetic resources of beech (Fagus sylvatica) in the Republic of Moldova.
Key words: European beech (Fagus sylvatica), fag (in Moldavian), beech diversity, plant associations,
natural species composition, natural distribution, maps of natural distribution,
inventories of genetic resources, in situ conservation
GeNeraL characTerIsTIcs
Forests are the most inestimable, renewable natural resources and all forests belong to the first
functional group, which means that the function of these forests is a protective one, according to Art.
14 of the Forest Code.
The National Forest Fund of the Republic of Moldova covers 400,900 ha (11.0% of the country
territory) including 362, 00 ha covered by forests (10. %) (Galupa et al. 2006). State forests are
subject to forest management plans that provide the description of the state of forest biodiversity
parameters: typological diversity of forests, species composition of forest sub-compartments, state of
grassy cover, regeneration, etc. Deciduous species cover 9 .8% and conifers 2.2%.
The natural forests in Moldova consist of broadleaved formations of the Central European type.
The main species components of the forest are pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), sessile oak
(Q. petraea), pubescent oak (Q. pubescens) and beech (Fagus sylvatica). Their distribution depends
on the altitudinal levels, on the exposure level and the degree of slope inclination, on the soil and
other conditions. These and other factors determined the formation of different types of forests and
associations (Postolache 1995).
NaTuraL dIsTrIbuTIoN
Beech is found in the northwestern part of the Codrii Reserve from the central part of Moldova and
considered at the eastern border of the natural range in Europe (Borza 193 , Soceava, Lipatova
1952, Gheideman 1969, Tishkevici 1984, Postolache 1995). From the climatic, pedologic and
geomorphologic point of view this part of Moldova is different from the rest of the country. Many
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