GENETIC ASPECTS OF CONSERVATION OF FOREST ECOSYSTEMS OF NNP “PODILSKI TOVTRY” IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The article highlights modern theoretical, scientific and methodological aspects, relevant methodological approaches and tools, foreign and domestic experience of conservation, reproduction and use of forest genetic resources in the context of sustainable development. A basic component of the process of forest biodiversity conservation is the improvement of systematic assessment of genetic variability of forest ecosystems, in particular, conservation of genetic resources of forest tree species in situ and ex situ. It is established that the most valuable forests for forest conservation are virgin forests and similar quasi-virgin forests and natural forests, as well as old-growth forests of natural origin. The authors propose measures for the conservation and protection of forests, which should be implemented by the EU Member States, as well as by the private sector and citizens on a voluntary basis with the support of financial incentives. An important condition is to ensure sustainable management of forests to preserve their biodiversity and ecosystem services. In the context of the Podilski Tovtry NNP, the purpose of a highquality management plan for the World Heritage Site “Primeval Beech Forests and Ancient Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe” – “Satanivska Dacha” and its adjacent areas is to determine the tourism potential of the territory, prepare projects and programmes for the development of tourism, environmental and recreational infrastructure and involve local communities in this process.