11. Biodiversity Protection of the Forest Ecosystems on the Base of Representative Geoecosystems

The chapter presents the new concept of forest ecosystem protection in the Slovak Republic. The concept is based on the evaluation of the potential and real representative geoecosystems (REPGES). Geoecosystems are particular entities bearing elements of geoecodiversity: they represent a certain landscape–ecological unit. Individual types of the REPGES have been determined on the basis of zonal (bioclimatic) conditions, most often represented by the vegetation zones in landscape, and azonal conditions, primarily quaternary geologic ground and relief, secondary soils, and levels of underground water. In all, 120 types of the REPGES were determined in the Slovak Republic. They were evaluated on the base of their current state of maintenance, endangerment, and protection.