Динаміка рослинного покриву на ботанічних пробних площах природного заповідника «Медобори»

Abstract

The work highlights the issue of using the mapping method in studies on botanical test plots of the geobotanical profile in the “Medobory” nature reserve. It examines the dynamics of changes that have occurred in the last 10 years in the grass cover, undergrowth, and forest within the botanical test areas in the Krasnianske nature protection research department. Experimental sites were established in 1996–1997 by A. V. Onishchenko, and since then, geobotanical descriptions have been conducted annually by scientific employees of the reserve. Since 2011, the mapping method has been used for a more detailed study of the flora in the test areas, which helps clarify the floristic composition in each trial area. Taxation indicators of the forest are also measured. The dynamics of the main taxation indicators were analyzed in four botanical test areas (BA) in fresh hornbeam groves. The forests are indigenous, of seed origin, characterized by high productivity, growing according to the first credit rating, high quality, with significant reserves (316–443 m3/ha). Carpinus betulus (L.) Moench dominates in the forest, except for trial area BA-4 where Carpinus betulus (L.) Moench is equally joined by Fraxinus excelsior L. and Acer platanoides L. In all test areas, a drop in weakened and dead trees has occurred, which is explained by natural processes. On BA-4 and BA-11, the loss is so significant that there has been a thinning of the crown and natural renewal is beginning to form the lower tier. According to the results of the work and processed materials, it was established that in the spring synusias in the botanical test areas two species prevail: Anemone nemorosa L. and Isopyrum thalictroides L. In summer, Carex pilosa Scop. dominates in three test areas, while Asarum europaeum L. is dominant in relation to Stellaria holostea L., Mercurialis perennis L., Glechoma hirsuta Waldst et Kit., and Galium odoratum (L.) Scop. In the undergrowth, Euonymus verrucosa Scop., Euonymus europaea L., Swida sanguinea Opiz., and Sambucus nigra L. are present in small numbers, with coverage from 0.1 to 0.9. Acer platanoides L. dominates the undergrowth in all test plots. Ulmus glabra Huds., Tilia cordata Mill., and Carpinus betulus (L.) Moench are also recovering, along with Acer campestre L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Acer pseudoplatanus L., and Cerasus avium (L.) Moench. With a certain periodicity in the annual geobotanical descriptions on trials in the areas of BA-9 and BA-11, rare species of plants listed in the Red Book of Ukraine were found in single specimens. In the first area, Platanthera chlorantha (Cust.) Reichenb. was found in 2011–2014, and Listera ovata L. R. Br. in 2013–2015, 2018, and 2022; Neottia nidus-avis (L.) Rich. was found in 2015. In the second area, Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz was found in 2012 and Epipactis purpurata Smith in 2020–2022. This frequency of sightings of these species is probably connected with the cyclical development of orchids and their state of rest, as well as possibly weather conditions.