RARE FLORA AND VEGETATION OF THE BORZHAVSK MOUNTAIN MASSAGE OF THE UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS AND PROSPECTS OF THEIR PROTECTION

Abstract

The Borzhavsky mountain range of the Ukrainian Carpathians has long served as a fodder base for livestock and the richest massif of blueberry reserves in the Ukrainian Carpathians. Therefore, its flora and vegetation have undergone significant changes. Nevertheless, a number of nature protection sites, mostly forest reserves, (with a total area oabout 4,000 hectares) have been created around the subalpine meadows (Polonyny). At the same time, polonyny still remain unprotected. In the study area we identified 32 species of vascular plants included in the Red Book of Ukraine (2009) and seven plant communities included in the Green Book of Ukraine (2009). The article presents their sozological, synphyto sozological and biotopic analysis. More representatives of the flora grow in the subalpine meadows, which indicates the need for their protection. Among them there are 9 rare, 15 vulnerable and 8 invaluable species. The largest number of coenopopulations of the rare relict arcto-alpine species Diphasiastrum alpinum (L.) Holub is concentrated in this massif in the Ukrainian Carpathians.Some other sozophytes (Lunaria rediviva L., Lilium martagon L., Allium ursinum L.) and rare forest communities with their participation are most often found on it. Among the rare communities are three associations with the status of "endangered" and four associations with the status of "rare".