ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1998

State: Ukraine

Name of the area: Carpathian biosphere reserve

Central authority concerned:

Name and address: Ministry for Environmental Protection and Nuclear Safety

Kyiv, Khreschatyk str., 5

Tel./Fax: 380 44 2949556

E-mail: parks@parks.freenet.kiev.ua

Authority responsible for its management:

Name and address: Administration of the Carpathian biosphere reserve

Rakhiv, Krasne Pleso str., 77

Tel./Fax.: 380 3132 22054

E-mail: office@cbr.uzhgorod.ua

1. Natural heritage (general abiotic description: geomorphology, geology and hydrogeology, habitats, flora, fauna, landscape) - Conservation situation.

1.1. Environment: changes or deterioration in the environment of natural or anthropic origin, accidental or permanent, actual or anticipated

As a result of the catastrophic flood (November 4-5, 1998) the material changes of landscape (alluviation, landslides, changing of the river beds and brooks, blocking with stones the riverside meadows) have occured in the considerable territory.

Superhumidification of soil has caused the intensified sheet and linear erosion. The landslide processes occured in considerable areas. Because of the mud-streams, the new alluvial fans were formed and their old areas were considerably enlarged. Changing of the river-beds has caused the changes in the landscape of flood-plains.

In the early November, the flood essentially influenced on the condition of populations of vertebrate and invertebrate animals, especially the small rodents. To value the real ecological consequences of flood is so far impossible.

The financial losses, incurred by the reserve constitute 1 420,1 ths. hryvna ( $4 15 234 USD).

1.2. Flora and vegetation: changes in the plant population and in the vegetational cover: presumed causes

The inventory of flora in the reserve's newly attached territories has replenished the List of Flora of the CBR in 74 species of the high vascular plants. At present, the general list of flora includes 1136 species. Two of the newly discovered species are included into the Red Data Book of Ukraine. Now, the general list of the Red Data Book's flora of the CBR includes 66 species. Within this year, the increase of the high-mountain and lowland populations of Narcissus angustifolia was registered. The number of other rare species remains stable.

1.3. Fauna: changes in the sedentary or migratory populations; congregating and breeding places

Birds: For the first time, the existence of four more species was determined in the reserve's territory: Monticola saxatilis, Luscinia svecica, Circus aeruginosus, Falco naumanni. The number of Lyrurus tetrix is still poor. The number of Aquila chrisaetos has increased - in some massifs of the reserve the young birds were registered. Probably, the species was nested in the reserve territory or the adjacent area. For the first time, Circaetus gallicus was registered in the nesting period. The number of other rare species of birds remains the same.

Mammals: The number of hoofed (red deer, European roe-deer, wild boar) is still poor. The correlation of sexes of hoofed (especially red deer) is noticeably displaced to the side of female (females prevail). The reason of this - poor control of poaching in the adjacent territories. The number of wolves has considerably increased. The number of other predators (linx, brown bear, badger, otter and others) remains in the same satisfactory level. The number of wild cat and European mink remains in the critical low level. This year, a small increase of the total number of cheiroptera was observed in the reserve.

Insects: Within this year, the increase in number of Lucanus cervus was observed. The number of other species, which are protected according to the Bern Convention, in particular most of the butterfly species, remains stable, but the number of Parnassius mnemosyne was halved.

2. Cultural heritage and socio-economic context

2.1. Cultural heritage

2.1.1. Changes concerning cultural heritage

No changes.

2.2. Socio-economic context

2.2.1. Changes concerning the socio-economic context

No changes.

3.1. Visitors - Information policy

3.1.1. Arrangements for receiving and informing the public (building, booklets, maps, cards, etc.)

Carrying on with the expansion of exposition for the Museum of Mountains Ecology. In October, on the basis of the Carpathian biosphere reserve, the International scientific-practical conference on the issues of sustainable development in the Carpathian region was held. 193 people from 9 countries of Europe and America participated in the work of the conference. Two volumes of the conference proceedings were published. The booklet “Carpathian biosphere reserve” was published in Ukrainian and English languages.

3.1.2. Frequentation by visitors and behaviour (number, distribution in time and space)

Within this year, 2500 people have visited the Museum of Mountains Ecology of the Carpathian biosphere reserve. This is 2000 people more than previous year. In general, 3000 people have visited the reserve in 1998.

3.1.3. Special visits (distinguished persons, groups, etc)

For the last year 162 scientists from Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Moldova, France, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, the U.S.A. have visited the reserve. Among them were the president of the ACANAP I. I. Voloschuk (Slovakia), professor F. Moisei (Romania), director of the Swiss Federal Institute of Forest, Snow and Landscape Research M. Broggi (Switzerland), professor P. Duelli (Switzerland), A. Antonioni (representative of the Council of Europe) and others.

3.2. Scientific research

3.2.1. Current or completed research (observation, experimentation, identification or inventory of the species listed in the appendices to the Bern Convention. . . )

Carrying on with the conduction of the complex long-term ecological monitoring over the course of natural processes, which goes on in the reserve’s territory (programme of the Chronicle of Nature). The inventory of fauna and flora in the newly attached territories has been started. The scientific grounds of functional zoning of the newly attached territories are being worked out.

3.2.2. Scientific publications.

Within 1998, 30 scientific works have been published by specialists of Scientific Department of the reserve. 24 scientific works are ready for the publication.

4.1. Changes in legislation or regulations

No changes.

4.2. Changes in ownership title (conversion to public property, rentings, etc.)

No changes

4.3. Extension or transfer, new uses (for example conversion into total reserve)

No changes.

5. Site management (management plans, budget and personnel)

5.1. Improvements made

5.1.1. Ecological action affecting the flora and biotopes: controls of fauna.

The regime measures were conducted to maintain the ecological balance in the Valley of Narcissi, sanitation cuttings to prevent the beginnings of diseases and outbreaks of number increase of pests (1056 m³), biotechnical measures for the artificial feeding up of wild hoofed in the critical periods of the year, records of number of the separate groups of vertebrate and invertebrate animals.

5.1.2. Protection against the elements (fire, water, regime)

Anti-fire measures: 35.4 km of the new anti-fire mineralized zones have been arranged. The inspection of the existing anti-fire mineralized zones - 111.1 km was done, 2.5 km of roads of the anti-fire function were constructed. 44.3 km of roads of the anti-fire function have been repaired, 2 inspection towers were constructed.

5.1.3. Approaches and thoroughfares (paths, roads, car parks, signposting, fencing, etc)

The repair of road of the forestry function - 20.7 km was conducted. 10.5 km of the mountain paths were constructed. 144.8 km of the mountain paths were repaired.

5.1.4. Field equipment (hides and study facilities)

The repair of 7 forest huts was conducted. Scientific equipment within the year have not been replenished.

5.2. Management

5.2.1. Administrative department: changes made

No changes.

5.2.2. Wardens’ department: changes made

No changes.

5.2.3. Internal policing measures

The hayfields, plots of land, firewood etc. were given to the population, living in the reserve’s territory or the adjacent territories.

5.2.4. Infringement of regulations and damage: legal action

Gross infringements were not registered.

II. INFLUENCE OF THE AWARD OF THE EUROPEAN DIPLOMA OF PROTECTED AREAS

III. CONDITIONS AND/OR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AWARD OR RENEWAL

Progress with measures taken in order to meet the conditions and/or recommendations defined during the award or renewal of the European Diploma of Protected Areas.