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1 2025

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Morphometric features of the relief as a basis for conservation of forest ecosystems of the Transcarpathian region in Ukraine

Bondar Oleksandr, Teslovych Mariana, Melnyk Yevhen, Harmatiuk Rostyslav, Holovatiuk Liudmyla, Halahan Oksana

Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology

2025

Vol. 26, iss. 2

193--204

Mountain forests are not only valuable centres of biotic and landscape diversity but also perform important ecosystem services, including mitigating the adverse effects of exogenous processes. However, intensive economic intervention, especially clearcutting, leads to the development of weakened tree stands. The most sensitive to this impact are high-elevation and steep-slope forest ecosystems. The aim of our study was to determine the morphometric prerequisites for the forest ecosystem conservation in the Transcarpathia region. To this end, we performed a morphometric analysis of the SRTM digital elevation model and determined the steepness and exposure of slopes. Using the layer with forest cover types, we identified high-elevation forest ecosystems located at an altitude of more than 1,100 m above sea level, as well as steep-slope forest ecosystems, which include forests on steep and very steep slopes with a steepness of more than 20 degrees. The existing level of protection of high-elevation and steep-slope forest ecosystems was analysed by overlaying the layers of protected areas and officially adopted Emerald Network sites and those proposed to join the Network. It was found that about 73.1% of high-elevation and steep-slope forest ecosystems had different levels of conservation status. Of these, 31.1% were within the nature reserve fund. Based on the processed data, we have identified the areas with a high risk of adverse exogenous processes, where no nature protection measures are carried out. Their proportion in high-elevation and steep-slope forest ecosystems was 26.9%. The legal framework of Ukraine significantly restricts economic activity in these forests. In particular, clearcutting is prohibited in them. However, the absence of a clear definition of these forests as a protected area may lead to violations of existing regulations. That is why we recommend implementing additional measures to preserve these forest ecosystems.