DEGRADATION OF SPRUCE FORESTS IN THE PRUT RIVER BASIN (UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS) DUE T0 RECREATION

Five stages of degradation of structure and functions of spruce forests in the Prut river basin ( Carpathian Natural National Park ) are described. Fitosociological, forest-taxation chracteristics of these stages are given. Changes are shown in physiochemical properties of soil, thickness and stock of litter, quantitative indexes of decomposer community, diameter growth of trees, stock of phytomass of grass and tree strata. The following forests are distinguished:

1) slightly changed forests which correspond to the I and II stage of degradation and are characterized by transformation of grass stratum;

2) changed forests and the III and IV stages of degradation where all structural components were noticeably degraded, but demutation was still possible,

3) greatly changed forests which are at the V stage of degradation and have already lost the ability of demutation.

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