Ecological and genetic aspects of distribution of the marginal populations of Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra L.) in Ukrainian Carpathians

Autorzy

• Vasyl Mohytych Forest Research Institute, Department of Silviculture and Genetics of Forest Trees, Sękocin Stary, Braci Leśnej 3, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland
• Marcin Klisz Forest Research Institute, Department of Silviculture and Genetics of Forest Trees
  Sękocin Stary, Braci Leśnej 3, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland
• Roman Yatsyk Ukrainian Research Institute for Mountain Forestry after P.S. Pasternak,
  Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
• Yuriy Hayda West Ukrainian National University, Lvivska 11, 46400 Ternopil, Ukraine, phone: +380 972 283 534, e-mail: haydshn@ua.fm
• Mariana Sishchuk Ukrainian Mountain Forestry Research Institute,
  Frankivsk, Ukraine

Abstract

Current distributions of Swiss stone pine mostly cover the mountain regions of Europe (Alps and Carpathians). Easternmost distribution of this species is located in western Ukraine. Due to environmental fragmentation in Eastern Carpathians and competition with Norway spruce and other species, marginal populations of Swiss stone pine create isolated island, where other species are not able to cope with harsh conditions. Still, Pinus cembra L. play an important role for soil-formation and soil-protection in high elevations. The evidence of recent reduction in the area of Swiss stone pine raises the question whether the introduction of this species at lower altitudes can be successful? According to the studies conducted on reciprocal transplant experiments, Swiss stone pine population from higher elevation are able to profit in low elevation sites. Thus, parallelly with gene conservation activity, the possibilities of assisted migration should be recognized for this species.

Keywords

• Swiss stone pine
• Eastern Carpathian mountains
• habitats fragmentation
• marginal population
• gene conservation