Table 1 Ecological and socio-cultural characteristic of the study regions in 2018 (sources: [37, 38])

Name of study area, origin

The name derives from the Ukrainian “бук” [Buk]—beech, meaning beech land

the name derives from the Ukrainian “розтікатися” [Roztikatysya], which means the flow of water in different directions

Divided into halves, 1939

Ukraine (part of Chernivci region) and Romania (part of Suceava county)

Ukraine (part of Lviv region) and Poland (part of Podkarpatske vojevodstvo)

Forest cover, %

68

40

Dominant tree species

Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies, Abies alba

Fagus sylvatica, Pinus sylvestris, Quercus spp.

Total area, km²

884

1548

Population density, people per km²

29.1

80.6

Population size and settlements

26,300 people, living in 50 villages, and 1 small town

124,000 people, living in 132 villages, 4 small towns, and 2 larger towns

Religion

58.96% Orthodox,

19.8% Greek Catholic (Orthodox),

12% Protestant,

11.2% other religions

52.6% Greek Catholic (Orthodox),

36.7% Orthodox,

11.7% other religions

Special areas

Cheremoskyi National Nature Park

Roztochya Biosphere Reserve

Language

Ukrainian, with Hutsul dialect

Ukrainian