Soil diversity of habitats and perspectives of its protection in the Ukrainian Carpathians

Soils as a component of habitat of the Ukrainian Carpathians were investigated and perspectives of their protection were described. It was found that 106 habitat types were formed in conjunction with 16 types of soils. Soil and its properties are determinant factor for functioning, reproduction and effective protection of established habitats. Ecotonic habitats groups, such as meadow pasture, scrub and anthropogenic, are characterized by greatest diversity of soil. Distribution and properties of common, rare and endangered soils of region were described. The Dystric Cambisols and most of the soils of Cambisols series are typical for the Ukrainian Carpathians. A number of habitats are located on intrazonal and/or atypical for the region soils which deserve inclusion in the list of rare soils and selection at their location etalons plots. In addition, there are rare and endangered soils, i.e., modern areas of its distribution are significantly reduced as a result of human activities. The largest number of endangered soils confined to a group of wetland habitats. The sozological value of studied soils was determined; and prospects of development of the methodological basis for the allocation and management soil-protecting objects were done