Old Growth Forests in the Ukrainian Carpathians: Criteria and Indicators, identification methodology, and results up-to date

Presentation cancelled by author

Old Growth Forests in the Ukrainian Carpathians: Criteria and Indicators, identification methodology, and results up-to date

(Oral)

Roman Volosyanchuk
volosyanchuk@yahoo.com

Forest Project Manager WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine
,
Bohdan Prots
Conservation Coordinator, WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine
,
Yuriy Shparyk
Leading Researcher, Ukrainian Research Institute of Mountain Forestry, Ivano-Frankivs’k, Ukraine
,
Mykola Cherniavskyi
Professor, National University of Forestry and Wood Technology, Lviv, Ukraine
,
Alexander Kagalo
Head of the Dept. of Nature Ecosystems Protection, Institute of Ecology of the Carpathians, Lviv, Ukraine
,
Volodymyr Savchyn
Deputy Head, Lviv Forest Inventory and Planning Expedition, Lviv, Ukraine

DOI: 10.17011/conference/eccb2018/107781

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Historically, identification and conservation of OGF remnants in the region has undergone several stages:
- 2006-10 – pilot application of the OGF concept within the High Conservation Value Forests identification (FSC certification mainly);
- 2008-12 – pilot field works on the Old-Growth Forests (OGF) identification in Ukrainian Carpathians;
- 2012 – harmonized C&I for OGF identification in Maramuresh part of the Carpathians (RO / UA) developed,
- 2012 - now – large-scale field identification;
- 2014 – the OGF C&I above used as a basis for the Virgin Forest C&I by the Carpathian Convention, see: http://www.carpathianconvention.org/tl_files/carpathiancon/Downloads/03%20Meetings%20and%20Events/COP/2014_COP4_Mikulov/Follow%20Up/DOC13_Criteria_Indicators_virginforests_FINAL_26SEP.pdf ;
- 2017 – framework Law on the Protection of Virgin, Quasi-Virgin, and Natural Forests approved in Ukraine;
- 2018 (?): incorporation of the C&I and the Methodology into the Ukrainian national legislation.

Criteria and Indicators in brief: Minimum area (20 ha); Form (plot /massif width, regardless of its length, cannot be less than 200 m); Species composition according to the native forest type; Stand structure (mosaic, vertical and horizontal); relevant presence of Dead wood; Human interventions are negligible.

Identification methodology comprises 3 stages:
- Preparatory: plots of potential virgin or old-growth forests are selected using forest management database;
- Field identification: each parcel is inspected for corresponding to the C&I listed above at inventory points representatively coveraing the entire area of the parcel.
- Final: results of the field work are analyzed, status of each plot is identified, and the GIS-associated database compiled
As of 01.01.2018, around 90 thousand ha of OGFs in the Ukrainian Carpathians were identified in the field. Map of the plots identified and their descriptions can be found at: http://gis-wwf.com.ua/ .

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INTRO:
The abstract presents the methodology and progress on identification of Old-growth forests in the Ukrainian Carpathians. It describes in high detail the phases of work and provides links to more-detailed description of methods and public GIS database.
MERITS:
This is an important contribution having in mind that large parts of the remnant old-growth forests of Europe are in the Carpathians. I find really useful the provided links.
CRITIQUE:
I consider that the listing of different stages of mapping can be shortened and the space can be used to provide a short description on the findings about the forest types. This would be more interesting and comprehensive for the readers and the audience.
DISCUSSION:
I consider the contribution a really important one for the session. The abstract could be enriched with more data on the forests if the presentation of mapping stages is shortened.

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INTRO:
The abstract presents the ongoing effort conducted in Ukraine by the national government and local NGOs to define, identify, map and protect old-growth forests in the country.
MERITS:
The abstract has the merit of contributing the experience and point of views of on-the-ground practitioners to the debate on old-growth forest protection. Particularly valuable is the focus on Ukraine, a country still containing a considerable amount of old-growth forest, that is largely underrepresented in the international scientific literature in English language.
CRITIQUE:
The abstract could be restructured following the traditional scheme background, objectives, methods, results, implications. Please make explicit the acronym C&I
DISCUSSION:
The abstract provides an important contribution to the session, by presenting practical initiatives and experiences on the issue of defining, mapping, and preserving old-growth forest. However, I see room for improvement with regards to its clarity.

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INTRO:
The abstract reports on the efforts on identifying and delinating oldgrowth forest in Ukraine. Some historical steps are presented and used criteria and indicators are presented qualitatively. The total area of identified oldgrowth forest is provided together with internet links to additional information.
MERITS:
Basic mapping of forest with conservation value is central to the development of national conservation policy and supporting programmes aiming to protect forests. The current study reports on such an initiative from Ukraine
CRITIQUE:
The abstract is fragmented and does not provide details that allow the reader to evaluate whether the approach for identification has been successful and to what extent the authors believe their results will be used in national policy. At present it only provides basic information on the inventory itself, but mostly fail to report results and conservation outcome
DISCUSSION:
I would recommend the authors to both provide quantitative details on their criteria and indicators and to report how their mapping of forest with high natural values, have or might be used on national conservation planning.