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National Nature Preserve Badín Primeval Forest
Geological substrate contains pyroclastic minerals, e.g., tuffites and aglomerates of pyroxenic andezites. Climate is cold, the average annual temperature is between 5.6 and 6.0° C, and humid with average sum of precipitation between 850 and 900 mm. The soil type is typical or andic cambisol, slightly acid, rich on mineral substances, The reserve belongs to beech forest vegetation belt with dominant Fagetum typicum association. Dominant tree species are fir (Abies alba), beech (Fagus silvatica) with an admixture of maple (Acer), ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and elm (Ulmus glabra). There is a conspicuous absence of spruce (Picea abies). "Badínsky prales" virgin forest is located out of its native distribution. This virgin forest encompasses all three developmental stages typical of european primeval forests: optimum phase, phase of decay and the phase of growing up. These stages establish a mosaic-like growth pattern and a multi-layer structure. Fir achieves here an age of 350 - 400 years, while beech 210 - 230 years. It means that during one generation of fir two beech generations can develop there. Fir is vital in lower layers of growth and its permanent decline is not expected. In 1947 year the hurricane had damaged 6 hectares of growth in western part of the reserve. The broken woody matter was exploited. The stripped area was not afforested artificially and thus natural regeneration was alloved. The initial stage of the succession had dominant willows (Salix caprea) with additional aspen (Populus tremula) and birch (Betula verrucosa). The next temporary stage had scattered of beech, maple and fir. Now there is apparent their expansion and increasing abundance. That means, the climax stage of ecosystem is restoring itself. All visitors of virgin forests are admiring the majesty of big, thick trees.The biggest living fir is 46 m tall with stem diameter 148 cm. The most high one achieved 49.5 m with standing volume of 29 cubic metres. Few dead and fallen down firs were up to 51 tall with stem diameter 162 cm and volume 32 cubic metres. Beech trees achieve the height of 45 m, stem diameter 108 cm and volume 26 m3. The store of woody matter in the whole reserve was 750 cubic metres per hectare in 1977 year. The fauna of this virgin forest has not been investigated completely yet. There are red deer, roe deer, wild boar, brown bear, lynx, wild cat, fox, marten, mice, voles, shrews, besides 28 species of birds. Few species of reptiles and amphibians inhabit this habitat, besides many remarkable and scarce species of insects, arthropods, snails depending on decaying wood, moss, fungi and leaf litter. Ing. Július Burkovský (shortened), translation:
RNDr. Ján Kleinert |
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It
is located in The Central Slovakia within Kremnické Vrchy Mts. on a forested
slopes of Mt. Laurín, 700 - 850 m s. s. l. The reserve has been protected since
1913 on an area 30.70 hectares with additional 23.75 hectares as a buffer zone.
Soon, the protected area. will be expanded up to 150 ha. The aim of the
protection is to preserve an example of climax stage forest ecosystem in beech
vegetation zone.