FP6 priority

1.1.6   Sustainable Development, Global Change and Ecosystems

1.6.3

Title of the proposal

High-mountain vegetation - current state, mapping, changes of species composition of the selected phytocoenoses

Institute

Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Landscape Ecology
Stefanikova 3, P.O.Box 254, 81499 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Contact

Research subject for a potential FP6 project

High-mountain vegetation is one of the most important components of natural environment from the aspect of its historical development as well as species composition of single phytocoenoses. On a relatively small area the occurrence of the most significant taxons - protected species, endemic species, endangered species is concentrated. Species of the high-mountain flora as well as single communities of the high-mountain vegetation belong to the most vulnerable components of natural environment. Changes in single phytocoenoses appeared mostly under the influence of Man, they are irreversible and they cause a decrease of biodiversity of the original flora.
In the past, within the frame of different projects the partial floristic or phytocoenological mapping of small area aimed at the mapping of selected taxons, communities or biotopes has been performed. Since 1996, in the Institute of Landscape Ecology SAS a complex vegetation mapping of the Belianske Tatry Mts is carried out. In the future, we would like to pay our attention also to other mountains of Slovakia, where high-mountain vegetation dominates.
In connection with the vegetation mapping of the Belianske Tatry Mts, has been performed also the investigation of changes in vegetation under direct anthropogenous impact in the area. The methodology of research usable also in other areas has been elaborated.

Recent international cooperation of the research team

Institute of Ecology and Conservation Biology, University of Vienna, Austria
Instituto Pirenaico de Ecologia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Spain
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Stirling, United Kingdom
Department of Land Ecology and Terrestrial Environments, University of Pavia, Italy
Laboratory „Alpine Ecosystems“ / Alpine Biology Centre at the Univ. J.Fourier, Grenoble, Franceand 16 another Institutions of the Europe

Proposer´s relevant publications related to the research subject

Barancok, P., 1995: Evaluation of significant taxa occurrence in flora of Slovakia and its application to landscape ecological studies. Ekologia (Bratislava) 14, Suppl. 1, p. 61-65.
Barancok, P., Varsavova M., 1995: Spread and phytocoenological characteristic of ceder pine-spruce forests of Bielovodska dolina valley in the Vysoke Tatry Mountains. Ekologia (Bratislava) 14, Supplement 2, p. 35-52.
Barancok, P., 1996: High-Mountains Biotopes (in Slovak). In: H. Ruzickova, L. Halada, L. Jedlicka, E. Kalivodova (eds.): Biotopes of the Slovakia. Bratislava, ILE SAS, 68-78.
Barancok, P., Varsavova, M., 1998: Influence of exogenous factors on the distribution of ceder pine-spruce forests and dwarf pine forests in the Belianske Tatry Mts. Ekologia (Bratislava), 17, 3, p. 242-254.
Barancok, P., 2001: Observation of forest stands changes on the timber line and dwarf pine stands changes in the Belianske Tatry Mts. In: J. Mindas (ed.): Perspectives of the ecological research in mountain forest ecosystems. LVU, Zvolen, CD-Rom.