Biodiversity of the Satanivska Dacha tract, a UNESCO World Heritage site (Ukraine)

Abstract

Abstract. The Satanivska Dacha tract in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Ukraine, is unique in that Fagus sylvatica L. grows here at the edge of its geographic range. In 2017, the forest community was included in the trans-European World Heritage site ‘Primeval beech forests and ancient forests of the Carpathians and other regions of Europe" by UNESCO under the name Site No. 61 ‘Satan’s Dacha.’ In the territory of the tract, 163 species of vertebrates have been recorded, including 12 species of amphibians, 6 species of reptiles, 96 species of birds, and 50 species of mammals, which are representatives of 24 orders. Within the world heritage site, 72 species of vertebrates have been recorded: 7 species of amphibians, 3 species of reptiles, 39 species of birds, and 23 species of mammals. There are 135 species of vertebrates that have protection statuses and included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (33 species), Regional Red List (23 species), Bern (134 species), Bonn (43 species), and Washington (17 species) conventions. Of higher plants, 234 species have been recorded, including 169 species within the world heritage site, and 7 species are included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (2009, 2021) and 5 species are included in the CITES list. The List of Regionally Rare Species in Need of Protection in Khmelnytskyi Oblast includes 24 species that were found in the Satanivska Dacha tract, of which 17 species grow in the territory of the world heritage site. The bryoflora of the tract consists of 98 bryophytes. The mycoflora, according to preliminary studies, includes 61 species of fungi and fungus-like organisms. According to the EUNIS classification, rare biotopes represent the following type—G: Woodland, forest and other wooded land; G 1.6: Beech forests (Fagus woodland). Three rare associations have been identified that have a synsozological status according to the Directive of the Council of Europe 92/43/EEC. The population status of Allium ursinum L., Galanthus nivalis L., Epipactis purpura Smith, Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz, and Barbastella barbastellus Schreber was monitored. The territory is characterised by a high potential as an environment for the self-regeneration of the biota on the whole. Continuation of monitoring programmes of this type is extremely important.