What is the name of the birch forest in Altai. Flora of Altai (flora). Flora of Altai

Forest ecosystems occupy 28% of the area Altai Territory and are distinguished by great diversity in rock composition, productivity, structure and age structure. Forest fund lands located in the region amount to 4434.0 thousand hectares, including a forested area of ​​3736.0 thousand hectares, of which the area of ​​coniferous plantations is 153.0 thousand hectares with a total timber reserve of 535.0 million cubic meters with an average forest cover of 22.5%. The average stock of plantings per 1 hectare is 143.0 cubic meters. The predominant species of the forest fund are soft-leaved plantations - 59.0%, coniferous trees account for 41.0%.

In accordance with the characteristics of forest growth and economic conditions, the intensity of forestry, the role and importance of forests, the forest fund of the Altai Territory is divided into four forestry areas - ribbon forests, Ob forests, forests of the Salair Ridge and foothill forests. Among the tree species growing in the Altai Territory, birch (34.4%), pine (29%), aspen (20%) predominate, and spruce, fir (8, 10%), larch (2.7%) also occur. , cedar (1%), other species and shrubs (4.8%).

Which species forms the most valuable plantings in the region?

Most of the pine forests are located in ribbon and Ob forests. Growing in various soil and climatic conditions, pine forests are confined to the sites of ancient watercourses on thick sandy river deposits. Pine forms the most valuable and productive plantings in the Altai Territory. Within the region, Scots pine grows on dry and sandy, rich black soils and swamp soils. The root system of pine and its anatomical and physiological characteristics make it an exceptionally valuable tree species in silvicultural terms, capable of forming plantations in such extreme conditions where no other species can grow. The silvicultural qualities of pine include drought resistance, the ability to tolerate excess moisture, wind resistance, rapid growth, as well as the diverse use of its resources.

What are “ribbons” and why are they unique?

The forests of the region are represented by unique ribbon forests; formations of this kind are not found anywhere in the world. On the territory of the Ob-Irtysh interfluve there are five pronounced pine forest ribbons: the northernmost - Burlinskaya or Aleusskaya, 90 km south of it - Proslaukho-Kornilov selection and Kulundinskaya tape, even lower 30 km from Kulundinskaya - Kasmalinskaya and Barnaul ribbons.

The Burlinskaya and Kulundinskaya ribbons extend 100 km from the Ob River to the Kulundinskaya Depression, located in the center of the Ob-Irtysh interfluve. The next two ribbons - Kasmalinskaya and Pavlovskaya - begin in the ancient floodplain of the Ob River and stretch in narrow parallel ribbons for almost 400 km to the southwest. On the border of the Altai Territory and the Republic of Kazakhstan, these ribbons merge with Loktevskaya, forming a vast island of forests (Srostinsky Bor), and then in the form of a kind of delta ancient river reach the Irtysh, where they merge with its terraced sands. The width of the ancient drainage basins varies: 6-8 km in the north, 20-60 km in the south, at their confluence.

In the northern part of the ribbon pine forests grow pine forests, A birch forests- in pegs. In the south they are large pine forests. Birch pegs are rare.

Fact

According to all the canons of geographical science here, in the steppe zone of the Altai Territory, there should be no forests. Not only have pine forests invaded the steppe expanses of the south of the West Siberian Lowland, they also have an unusual form of distribution - the forests stretch out in parallel ribbons of different lengths located in relation to each other. That is why they received such a name. Famous German traveler and naturalist of the 19th century. Alexander Humboldt was so amazed by the pine forests he saw that he tried to give his own explanation for this phenomenon. Currently, scientists adhere to the hypothesis according to which pine forests grow on sandy deposits in the hollows of the water flow of a huge ancient reservoir that existed around 10 thousand years ago.

There is a legend that tells how the god of the winds examined the lands and spotted the beautiful girl Aigul. The beauty charmed the god of the winds, he grabbed the girl and went with her to his heavenly home. Aigul's tears fell down, and where they broke on the ground, lakes appeared. Aigul also lost the green ribbons with which she tied her wonderful hair. In those places where the ribbons fell to the ground, forests appeared.

By the way

In the area where the belt burs are located, two state protective forest strips : Rubtsovsk - Slavgorod, 257 km long with a total area of ​​6142 hectares, and Aleysk - Veselovka, 300 km long with an area of ​​6768 hectares.

Priobye, Salair, foothills

To the east of the Kulunda steppe lies the Pre-Altai forest-steppe. The Ob River divides the Pre-Altai forest-steppe into two unequal parts: on the left bank, occupied by a wavy plain of the Priob plateau, and the right bank, where the Biya-Chumysh upland precedes the spurs in the northeast Salair ridge, and in the south - Altai foothills.

In the northeast of the region, the Biysk-Chumysh Upland is limited by the spurs of the Salair Ridge (up to 590 m above sea level). Ridges Salair ridge strongly smoothed and rounded. The exposure of rocky rocks to the day surface differs only at individual peaks. This area where aspen and fir forests grow, which is determined by a rather humid climate and the distribution of loamy soils.

To the south of the Pre-Salair forest-steppe, one or two ledges, 350-600 m high and with individual ridges up to 1000 m, rise Altai foothills. The Altai foothills are mainly occupied forest-steppe, but the slopes of higher ridges are covered mountain forests. In the southwest they mainly consist of plantations fir, birch, larch, in the eastern part, which is more humid, are represented deciduous and black forests.

Forests not located on forest fund lands

On the territory of the Altai Territory there are also forests located on lands of other categories, namely:

• on the lands Ministry of Defense Russian Federation — 12.6 thousand hectares;
• on lands of specially protected natural areas managed by Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources(Rosprirodnadzor) - 41.4 thousand hectares (state nature reserve"Tigireksky");
• on lands of urban settlements (urban forests)— 10.0 thousand hectares.

Which areas of the Altai Territory are rich in forests?

All forests are located on the territory 59 municipal districts of the region. The distribution of forests in the region is extremely uneven, and the forest cover of the territory is an indicator of this. If average forest cover of the Altai Territory - 26.3%, which indicates a sufficient share of forest plantations in the overall balance of land, the same cannot be said about a number of municipal districts in the steppe part of the region, which clearly lack the protective role of forests. In municipal areas, forest cover ranges from 1% ( Blagoveshchensky, Pospelikhinsky, Kulundinsky, Slavgorodsky, Ust-Kalmansky) to 62.1% ( Zarinsky, Soltonsky). Forest cover is above average in the southwestern regions of the territory: Uglovsky - 33.9% Volchikhinsky 41.7%, Mikhailovsky - 25.9%. This is due to the fact that in this part of the territory the ribbon forests are wider and significant areas of forests are concentrated in them.

Very uneven forest cover in the Priobsky region. The largest share of forests occurs in Troitsky district- 46.1%, as well as in Pervomaisky- 42.0% and Talmensky district- 38.1%. This is due to the spread of the Upper Ob massif along the right bank of the Ob River. As you move away from the river, forest cover decreases: Virgin— 8,4%, Petropavlovsky district- 2.9%. Forest cover in the Altai-Sayan mountain taiga region ranges from 21.5% to 38.6%. In the Altai-Sayan mountain-forest-steppe region, the highest forest cover is observed in Solton district - 53.6%, Krasnogorsk - 41.6%. At the same time in Sovetsky district it is equal to 3.7%.

The forest cover of the Altai Territory by forestry areas is or optimal or close to optimal. At the same time, due to the uneven distribution of forests over the territory, a number of steppe regions are experiencing great inconvenience due to insufficient forest areas and, in this connection, their low environmental protection effect.

Three forest subdistricts

Some existing differences in geomorphology, soils, composition and productivity of forests, as well as climatic features, provide grounds for distinguishing within West Siberian subtaiga-forest-steppe region three forest subdistricts: ribbon forests, Priobskie forests and Salair ridge.

Woody vegetation belt burs It is represented by unique in its nature narrow strips of pine forests and isolated small groups of birch plantations among dry steppes.

To the north of the ribbon forests there is a separate forest area along the Ob River located Priobsky forests. In the Ob forests, forests are represented by relatively large tracts island highly productive pine forests and birch-aspen small-mass tracts, located mainly along low saucer-shaped depressions. Pine forests are located mainly on the third and fourth sandy terraces of the Ob River, where they form relatively large tracts. These are the so-called fresh, or “sweaty” Priob forests. In the Ob region, soddy-podzolic and medium-podzolic sandy and sandy loam soils predominate, which are favorable for the growth of woody vegetation. The pine plantations growing on them achieve high productivity. Often found in the Ob forests admixture of larch and Siberian spruce.

All these forests are under the influence of two environmental factors of opposite action - the proximity of groundwater and the aridity of the steppe and forest-steppe air-temperature regime.

Even further north, along the border of the Novosibirsk and Kemerovo regions, plantations grow Salair ridge. In Salair, despite its low altitude, the zonality of the vegetation cover is expressed in relief. The pre-Salair foothill plain is covered birch and aspen forests interspersed with natural meadows. Closer to the watershed, they become predominant aspen and fir-aspen forests. The grass cover is different great height and powerful development. In areas occupied by forests, gray forest and soddy-podzolic soils, as well as mountain-forest gray soils, are widespread; on the western slopes of the low mountains - loamy and heavy loamy; in the east - thin loamy-crushed stones on bedrock.

In the south and southwest along the border with the Altai Republic they are common mixed forests of foothill Altai. The region of foothill forests of the Altai Territory is included in the Altai-Sayan mountain-taiga region of the South Siberian mountain zone.

Foothill forests have been developed by humans over the past 150-200 years, and at present there are practically no indigenous forest types left. Only in remote places, inaccessible to technology, can plantings be found cedar and fir. Secondary forests of the foothills composed of birch, fir, aspen, along the valleys of numerous rivers - willow thickets. In the lower part of the forest belt of the northern and western foothills, along river valleys grow pine plantations of island nature.

And if ribbon forests and Priobsky forests are typically lowland forests, forests of the Salair Ridge grow at altitudes of 250-500 meters above sea level, then the forests foothill Altai are distributed up to 1800 m above sea level and are typically mountain forests. Between these 4 large massifs there is a large number of birch stakes with an area of ​​0.1 to 5 hectares. They occupy mainly forest-steppe areas. The spaces between the forests are plowed for fields, and the unplowed areas are covered with steppe vegetation.

Based on materials from the “Forest Plan” of the Altai Territory, Barnaul, 2011

Fact

IN XVIII century with development silver smelting production wood was harvested in “ribbons” for burning charcoal. Historians write that logging for charcoal was carried out using clear felling, and thousands of hectares of pine plantations were cut down without observing basic rules. Modern forestry has also not escaped sad pages. Severe fires have repeatedly wiped out thousands of green hectares. The forests of the region began to “come to their senses” only after 1947, when a special Resolution was adopted on the restoration of ribbon forests in Altai and Kazakhstan. Gradually, the area occupied by coniferous trees began to increase, reaching in 2013 - 700 thousand hectares.

Numbers

4 out of 5 tape pine forests existing in the world grow in the Altai Territory

10 thousands of years ago, according to scientists, there were ancient reservoirs in place of modern “ribbons”

700 In 2013, thanks to large-scale reforestation measures, the area of ​​ribbon forests occupied by coniferous species reached thousands of hectares

Materials on the topic “Forest resources of the Altai Territory”

Yesterday, April 9, the head of the department of the forest holding company Altailes, Oleg Peregudov, photographed a great owl. We managed to take successful shots in the evening in a spruce forest near the village. Southern city of Barnaul. As Oleg said, at first he heard the hoot of an owl and decided to see where she was sitting. Taking a camera, an amateur researcher discovered a great owl in a tree. The bird was wary at first, but after a few minutes it calmed down and began […]

On the eve of Forest Workers' Day, employees of Les Service LLC (part of LHC Altailes) together with students from Klyuchevskaya Secondary School No. 1 held a large-scale sports and environmental event. About two hundred schoolchildren along with their teachers took part in the event. Before the start of the action, the forest protection engineer at Les Service, Viktor Karmash, told the participants about the need to conserve forests.

View on the website Altapress.ru

From September 2-4, in the village of Pavlovsk, Pavlovsk district, the best forest firefighters, fellers, hydraulic manipulator operators and other forest industry specialists will be determined. About 500 participants will compete in both professional and sports categories. creative competitions. The previous Olympics took place in 2011. Organizers: Union of Forest Industry Organizations "Altailes" (non-profit organization) and forest holding company "Altailes".

A twenty-minute film about the activities of the forest holding company “Altailes” is a large-scale project, work on which began in the spring of 2015. The film uses exclusively fresh footage, many of which were made using a quadcopter, that is, from a height of 50-70 meters above the ground. The goal is to show the viewer what the unique ribbon and Priob burs actually look like, which the company has preserved and […]

In the depths of the vast continent of Eurasia lies a mountainous country - Altai. The nearest seas and oceans are almost 2.5 thousand km away. On one side, Altai borders on the world’s largest West Siberian Plain, on the other, on the belt of mountains in Southern Siberia. This mysterious and mysterious land contains the history of human culture from the Stone Age to the present day. Nicholas Roerich said: “If you want to find the most beautiful place, look for the most ancient one.” One of these places for him was Altai, where last days his soul yearned for life.

Land of contrasts

Various forms of relief lead to the formation in a relatively small area of ​​Altai of a number of microclimates, which in other parts of our country correspond to distances of hundreds and thousands of kilometers. This contributes to the species richness of the animal and plant world.

All natural zones of Central Siberia are represented here: steppes, forest-steppes, mixed forests, subalpine and alpine meadows. The species composition of vegetation includes two thirds of the total species diversity Western Siberia, and a considerable percentage falls on endemic plants found only in the Altai mountains. There are also relict species. There are a lot of medicinal plants (Rhodiola rosea, forgotten pennywort, St. John's wort, elecampane, etc.).

As in any mountainous country, vegetation Gorny Altai obeys the law of vertical zonality, although, of course, the boundaries of these zones are not expressed by clear lines; they vary greatly depending on local conditions.

The word “Altai” is most often translated as “Altyn-tau” (“golden mountains”), sometimes as “Ala-tau” (“variegated mountains”). Oriental scholars give another interpretation - “Al-taiga”, which means “high rocky mountains”.

From steppes to mountain taiga

At an altitude of 800–1500 m there is a belt of mountain steppes, where there is almost no forest; low grass and isolated bushes grow here. The color of the steppe as a whole is dull yellowish-gray; sometimes along the banks of rivers and reservoirs there are spots of living green and light green.

Where the steppes turn into foothills, a dark green forest belt (1200–2400 m) appears - the mountain taiga belt. Wide deciduous forests in most regions of the Altai Mountains they are poorly represented. Mountain taiga consists of larch, Siberian cedar, pine, spruce and fir. The larch taiga rises to 2000 m. This forest, light, with delicate greenery, is especially beautiful in the spring, when the young larch needles are just beginning to bloom. But the higher you go, the more common Siberian cedar, or Siberian pine, is found here, forming the upper border of the forest. Unlike slender larches, cedar pines here are usually gnarled, their trunks can take on the most bizarre shapes. The gloomy fir trees, hung like garlands with lichens, give the forest a fabulously fantastic look.

In the local arid climate, Altai forests primarily perform a protective function - the plantings retain snow and rain moisture and reduce wind erosion of the soil.

Giants and dwarfs

The transitional region between taiga and alpine meadows in Altai is occupied by a fairly extensive belt, which can be called mountain tundra. These are thickets of low-growing bushes - mainly polar birch (locally called “chira” or “ernik”), but also a variety of low-growing willows.

Alpine and subalpine meadows (2500–3000 m) are represented by colorful forbs. The grasses here seem like a real jungle - their height reaches 1.5–2 m, and in the middle of summer they are able to hide a rider with a horse. As you ascend the mountains, the vegetation gradually decreases and turns into alpine low grass.

Very high, in rock cracks and on tiny spots alpine meadow, you come across a miniature dwarf willow, only a few centimeters high. Far in the mountains, near Belukha (the highest peak of Siberia), you can find edelweiss - flowers of love and fidelity. And on flat damp places moss grows, amazing in its softness, depth and beauty. On the uppermost sections of the slopes you can admire the paintings created by nature from multi-colored lichens - black, orange, silver-white, yellow and other colors. But it turns out that life goes on even higher. In the summer, snow on glaciers can take on a pink tint, as if it is illuminated by the evening setting sun, the reason for this is the microscopic algae covering it.

Cedar forests

But still, about half of the territory of Altai is occupied by forests, mostly coniferous, although a significant part of them are cedar pine forests, they are also called cedar trees. Cedar pines – sacred trees for the northern peoples. Beautiful and majestic, they produce beautiful wood, tasty, healthy and nutritious pine nuts, which, in addition to people, feed other taiga inhabitants: bears, sables, chipmunks, squirrels...

Forests with a predominance of cedar pine are dark coniferous. On the plains, Siberian pine pine often grows next to spruce, fir, Scots pine, and birch, but around many Siberian settlements you can also find pure cedar trees. The fact is that the migrant peasants quickly appreciated this tree, and therefore they cut down larch, fir and other species around their homes, and left the cedar pine. The cedar forests were looked after as if they were their own garden. In terms of economic benefits, Siberians sometimes equate a hectare of cedar forest to a cow.

Unfortunately, until recently, large-scale industrial timber logging was carried out in the Altai Mountains. Significant damage was caused to cedar forests. One of the main tasks of ecologists is to revive this wonderful tree species of the Altai taiga.

The Altai Mountains are located in the very center of Asia on the territory of four states: Russia, Kazakhstan, China and Mongolia. Altai is the name given to the Russian part of the mountain system.

Altai is a unique place. At the junction of natural zones, in the very center of the continent, at equal distances from the Pacific, Indian and Arctic oceans, nature has created an amazing land of blue lakes, high cliffs, impenetrable taiga, dry steppes and vast and rich meadows. Here the Russian Old Believers long ago mixed with the culture of Asia, here the cavalry of Genghis Khan galloped, and the pioneers looked for the way to the mysterious Shambhala. Altai is a unique mix of Asian flavor and the Slavic world, archaic and modern “in one bottle”.

The nature of Altai is equally unique. Most of the territory is occupied by mountains, completely cut by river valleys and intermountain pits. There are over 200 thousand rivers and lakes in Altai, and most of them are mountain rivers - with pure water, strong currents, steep rapids and strong drops.

The entire territory of the Altai Territory occupies a little more than 167 thousand square meters. km. And in such a relatively small space, 6 natural zones are represented at once: tundra, forest, steppe, semi-desert, subalpine and alpine zones.

In 2002, 5 natural sites in Altai were included in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List.

Flora of Altai

The originality of the flora of Altai is due to the extraordinary relief, special climatic conditions and features historical development. Almost all plants characteristic of northern and central Asia and the European part of Russia.

One of the most famous wonders of Altai is the ribbon pine forests. There is no such nature formation anywhere else in the world. Just five years pine forests stretch parallel to each other from the Ob to the Irtysh. Biologists explain the amazing arrangement of plants by the fact that in prehistoric times, most of Altai was occupied by the sea. Over time, the waters of the sea flowed towards the Aral Basin. And along the way, where the hollows formed, pine trees began to grow.

The second miracle of Altai is the black taiga. Here pines grow next to fir trees, and the mighty Siberian cedars surrounded by curly birch trees. Deciduous forests are very common. Altai larch is highly valued in construction.

And a huge number of shrubs: raspberries and viburnum, blueberries and currants, rowan and bird cherry. In spring, the mountain slopes look very picturesque. Here and there thickets of honeysuckle and blueberry stretch like a continuous carpet, and evergreen marigold spreads along crimson-purple paths. Dunar rhododendrons and Siberian wild rosemary, cinquefoil and juicy sea buckthorn grow here.

The flat part of Altai abounds in tall grasses. You can often find groves - small groves where aspen, birch, poplar and maple trees grow. And how many flowers there are here! Sky blue bells and sapphire tulips, orange lights and snow-white daisies, sunny yellow buttercups and multi-colored carnations. It is not surprising that Altai honey is considered the most delicious in Russia.

In total, there are over two thousand plant species in the Altai Republic, of which 144 are listed in the Red Book.

Fauna of Altai

The richness of the Altai fauna is also explained by the diversity of the landscape. Golden eagles live high in the mountains, their prey being mice, gophers and marmots.

In the taiga Altai regions There are formidable wolverines and brown bears, huge moose and predatory lynxes, fluffy stoats and funny chipmunks. Squirrels fly from tree to tree, moles and hares dig holes under the trees. And in the most windfall places hides the most valuable Altai animal - the sable.

There are foxes on the plains. Wolves are also common. But most of all there are jerboas, hamsters and several types of gophers.

Altai reservoirs are favorite habitats of muskrats and beavers. A huge number of birds live here: ducks and snipes, teals and gray geese, cranes and gulls. During their flights, swans and northern geese stop in the swamps and lakes of Altai.

But there are few reptiles in Altai. The most poisonous is the copperhead snake, and the largest is the patterned snake, reaching a length of 1 meter. There are unusual viviparous lizards, and quite a few vipers - steppe and common.

Lakes and rivers are famous for their abundance of fish. In the rivers they catch perch, gudgeon, and ruff. The most important river in Altai is the Ob, where pike perch, sterlet and bream are found. And on the Altai lakes there is a good catch of pike and perch.

Climate in Altai

The climate of Altai is distinguished by its diversity and contrast. Thus, in the northern regions, summers are warm and dry, and winters are mild and with little snow. But in the mountains, summers are hotter and winters are harsher.

The coldest point of Altai is the Chui steppe. The average winter temperature is minus 32ºC. The absolute minimum was also recorded here - 62 degrees below zero. Cold regions also include the Ukok Plateau and the Kurai Basin.

Winter frosts set in at the end of November. And the snow lasts until mid-April. Then a short and stormy spring gives way warm summer. Moreover, in the flat part, summer is hotter and drier. Already at the end of August it is time for leaf fall and cool winds. Autumn fully comes into its own by the beginning of September.

But Chemal, Kyzyl-ozek, Bele and Yaylyu are considered warm regions of Altai. In winter, temperatures rarely drop below minus 10ºC. This is explained by the fact that these areas are located near Lake Teletskoye and foehns - dry and warm winds - often blow here.

The division of forests into three groups provides for differences in the types and volumes of forest use. In the forests of the first group, reforestation felling can be carried out in order to obtain mature wood while maintaining the water protection, protective and other properties of the forests and to improve the forest environment. In the reserves and other forests included in the first group, only maintenance felling and sanitary felling are allowed.

In the forests of the second group, final felling can be carried out, i.e., timber harvesting is allowed in forests with mature and overmature stands, subject to the restoration of valuable species to preserve the protective and water conservation properties of the forest.

In the forests of the third group, final felling is concentrated, subject to effective and rational exploitation of the forest. All methods and types of felling, depending on forest groups and protection categories, are provided for by the Fundamentals of Forestry Legislation of the Russian Federation.

Depending on the predominant direction of use, forests can be divided into protective (first group and other protective plantings), raw materials (exploitation of the second and third groups) and hunting (reserve and others not used for raw materials and natural protective purposes).

The quality of forests is largely determined by their natural composition. Forests with a predominance of coniferous species have the greatest economic value. They are more durable than hardwoods, produce high quality wood, and are generally more environmentally friendly. The qualitative composition of Russian forests is very high. Up to 80% are non-coniferous species and only 20% are deciduous. In the European part of the country, the share of coniferous species in the forest fund is significantly lower (63.5%) than in the Asian part (up to 74.2%).

In the total reserves of coniferous wood in the country, larch occupies 42%, pine - 23.5, spruce - 18.8, cedar - 11.4%. The distribution area of ​​larch is from the Urals to the Pacific coast. The main reserves of pine and cedar are concentrated in Siberia and the Far East, while spruce and deciduous forests are concentrated in the European part of the country.

The total estimated cutting area, i.e., the number of mature and overmature forests intended for felling, is about 1.4 billion m3 in Russia. In areas with a high population density, the estimated logging area has been fully developed, and in some places it has been exceeded, while 90% of the entire rated logging area is used extremely poorly, since the vast majority of forests are located in hard-to-reach areas, far from communications.

The total annual increase in wood in Russian forests is 830 million m3, of which approximately 600 million m3 is in coniferous forests. The average annual increase in wood stock per 1 hectare in the European part of Russia ranges from 1 m3 in the north to 4 m3 in the middle zone. In the Asian part, it ranges from 2 m3 in the south to 0.5 m3 in the north, which is explained by harsh climatic conditions, high age of plantings and the consequences of forest fires (high fire danger due to weather conditions occurs primarily in the Irkutsk region, the Republic of Sakha and Krasnoyarsk Territory).

Since the forest is a system of interconnected external environment components: raw materials of woody and non-woody plant origin, resources of animal origin and multilateral useful functions- and the effect from the use of individual components manifests itself in different ways and in different spheres of the national economy, then the economic assessment of the forest should be presented as the sum of the effects from the use of all types of forest resources and utilities over an unlimited period of use. Methods for assessing all types of forest resources and forest benefits have not been sufficiently developed, therefore, in a simplified way, the economic assessment of a forest is expressed through one of its resources - wood.

Forest resources act not only as a source of raw materials, but also as a factor in providing the necessary constant environment for society.

2. 2. The importance of the forest industry in the national economy of the Altai Territory

The Altai Territory occupies the southern part of Western Siberia and includes four natural zones: steppe, forest-steppe, low-mountain taiga of Salair and mountain taiga of Altai. About 28% of the area of ​​the Altai Territory is occupied by forest ecosystems, which are highly diverse in species composition, productivity, structure, and age structure.

The importance of forests can hardly be overestimated, and the main thing is to stabilize the gas composition of the planet’s atmosphere, which ensures the normal course of all life processes in the animal world and humans. Forests serve as a source of wood and non-wood resources, the special value of which lies in their renewability. The role of forests in preventing water and wind soil erosion and in regulating the climate and water balance of the territory is invaluable.

Satisfy growing needs from year to year forest resources is possible only by increasing the productivity of forest ecosystems, and this is main task, solved by forestry.

All forestry activities are aimed at solving three main tasks: protecting forests from fires and harmful insects; reproduction and use of forests.

In the forestry sector, the formation of the main component of wood takes many decades, however, even in the period between the “harvesting of the main harvest,” people have long imagined the forest as a testing ground for the diversity of annual economic activity man in the forest.

Altai, like many regions of Western Siberia, owes much to the development of many industries, including forestry, logging and wood processing, to Peter the Great's reforms and Demidov's pioneers. Mineral deposits and forest wealth Altai gave impetus to the development of mining and copper smelting production.

The Altai forest faithfully served post-revolutionary Russia; suffice it to say that the thousand-kilometer Tursib was built on Altai sleepers.

During the Great Patriotic War and in the post-war years wood Altai forests and its processed products were used to restore many dozens of plants and factories evacuated from the west, and to develop the industrial production potential of the region and the Central Asian republics.

Having become a separate industry in the post-war years, forestry went through a difficult path of development and forestry enterprises became centers of forest culture.

The forest fund of the Altai Territory occupies a total area of ​​436.4 thousand hectares or 26% of the total area of ​​the region, of which 3,827.9 thousand hectares are forest lands. The forested area is 3561.5 thousand hectares or 81.6% of the total forest area (according to forest fund records as of 01/01/98). The forest cover of the Altai Territory is 21.1%.

Forest cover varies across regions from 54.6% to 1 percent or less. The highest percentage of forest cover is in the Zarinsky district - 54.6%, in the Talmensky district - 52.9%, in the Troitsky district - 45.4%. Less than one percent forest cover in Tabunsky, Slavgorodsky, Pospelikhinsky districts.

The total wood reserve is 395 million m3, the share of burned areas from the total forest area is 0.141%, the share of fellings from the total forest area is 1.08%.

Forests are unevenly distributed. They are mainly located in the northeast and east of the Altai Territory. On sands and sandy soils in the floodplain of the river. On the Ob River and along river beds, unique ribbon forests stretch for hundreds of kilometers. Significant areas of mountains and foothills are occupied by taiga massifs.

Forests of group 1 occupy 2918.9 thousand hectares. Forests of group 2 occupy 818 thousand hectares. Group 3 forests occupy an area of ​​625.6 thousand hectares.

Based on natural and forestry conditions, role and significance in the State Fund forests, 4 forestry areas have been identified:

Ribbon-pine forests - forests of ribbon pine forests, all forests are classified as “especially valuable forest areas”, the total area is 1123.5 thousand hectares, including the forested area - 880.1 thousand hectares;

Priobsky - includes the forests of the Ob region: total area 837.7 thousand hectares, including forested area - 661.1 thousand hectares;

Salairsky - includes the forests of the Salair black taiga, the total forest area is 583.3 thousand hectares, including forested - 515.6 thousand hectares;

Predgorny - foothill forests of Altai, the total forest area is 836.3 thousand hectares, including 646.6 thousand hectares covered with forest.

The predominant species in the forests of the Altai Territory are coniferous - 54% (including cedar - 1.9%), small-leaved - 46% (see Appendix No. 2). The average age of the State Forest Fund forests is 66 years, including coniferous ones - 80 years and deciduous ones - 48 years. The timber reserve of the entire forest fund is 494.85 million m3, including the State Forest Fund - 400.08 million m3.

The average annual growth reaches 6.5 million m3, of which coniferous trees account for 3.5 million m3 and deciduous trees - 3 million m3 (see Appendix No. 2).

The estimated cutting area for the main use is 2040 thousand m3, including for coniferous farming - 331 thousand m3.

The intensity of forest use decreases annually, so in 1994 thousand. m3, in 1995 gty. m3, in 1996 gty. m3, in 1997, 3 thousand m3.

The forests of the Altai Territory are divided into 5 classes according to fire hazard classes. Forests of the 1st and 2nd classes of natural fire danger include mainly ribbon forests (average class 1.8) and Priobsky forests (average class 2.6), which contain a large number of coniferous plantations of dry forest types, coniferous young trees and forest crops.

As a result of intensive exploitation of forests, especially the Ob massifs, the area of ​​young coniferous forests has decreased, the area of ​​mature and overmature plantations has increased, and a dangerous phenomenon has emerged of the replacement of coniferous trees with less valuable deciduous trees. In close connection with it, standard house-building, the production of furniture, matches, plywood, fiberboard and particle boards, etc., were widely developed.

First of all, the forest provides commercial timber. Economic importance The supply of wood is very large, but to the greatest extent it is used and used in construction, industry and transport, in agriculture and public utilities. The wood is easy to process, has a low specific gravity, is quite durable, and its chemical composition makes it possible to obtain wide range useful products.

But at the same time, the forest is a source of many products for various purposes. These non-wood products of plant and animal origin serve to meet the multifaceted needs of the population. Forests have a great potential for food and feed resources, the most valuable of which are reserves of various varieties of nuts. The forest produces mushrooms, berries, birch and maple sap, medicinal plants. These resources can be harvested in significant volumes, although the unevenness of their territorial concentration and large fluctuations in yield from year to year affect the degree of their economic use. In addition, the forest is a habitat for numerous animals of commercial importance.

The beneficial functions of forests are very diverse. Water protection and soil protection occupy a significant place among them. The forest regulates spring floods, the water regime of rivers and soils. It has a positive effect on river, lake and groundwater, improving their quality and removing various harmful substances. Changing the microclimate in fields protected by forest belts contributes to higher (15-25% higher) yields

The use of forests for social needs - recreation and human health, and improvement of their habitat is becoming increasingly important. The recreational properties of the forest are very diverse. The forest produces oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide: 1 hectare of pine forest at the age of 20 years absorbs 9.34 tons of carbon dioxide and produces 7.25 tons of oxygen. The forest absorbs noise: crowns deciduous trees reflect and dissipate up to 70% of sound energy. The forest humidifies the air and weakens the wind, neutralizing the effects of harmful industrial emissions. It produces phytoncides that kill pathogenic bacteria and has a beneficial effect on the human nervous system.

CHAPTER 3. Structure of the timber industry complex and the importance of the forest sector in the economy of the Altai Territory

3.1. Structure of the timber industry complex of the Altai Territory

Industries related to the procurement, processing and processing of wood raw materials are united in a group with the general name - forest industry, it is also called the forest complex

The timber industry is the oldest in Russia and the Altai Territory. It includes about 20 industries, sub-sectors and productions. The most significant are the logging, woodworking, pulp and paper and wood chemical industries.

The importance of the timber industry in the economy of the Altai Territory is determined by significant timber reserves, but forests are distributed unevenly and by the fact that at present there is practically no sector of the national economy where timber or its derivatives are used. If at the beginning of the twentieth century. 2-2.5 thousand types of products were made from wood, then in beginning of XXI V. The industry's products include over 20 thousand different products.

The following sectors are distinguished in the structure of the timber industry complex:

· logging, sawmill - main sawmill areas: Kamen-on-Obi - Kamensky timber processing plant, Topchikhinsky district;

· furniture production - Barnaul, Biysk, Rubtsovsk, Novoaltaisk, Zarinsk, Slavgorod;

· standard housing construction – Topchikhinsky district, Kulundinsky and Mikhailovsky districts;

· Pulp and paper industry – Blagoveshchenka;

· chemical-mechanical processing of wood – Shipunovsky district.

Sawmill industry located mainly in the main logging areas and at the junctions of transport highways, at the intersection railways and floating waterways. The largest sawmills are located in Barnaul.

Furniture manufacture concentrated mainly in largest cities Altai Territory is influenced by the consumer factor.

Standard house construction located in the Topchikhinsky district, Kulundinsky and Mikhailovsky districts.

The most important branch of chemical wood processing is pulp and paper industry. Various types of paper can be produced from sulfite pulp with the addition of wood pulp. Various types of paper are produced (for banknotes, capacitor, cable, insulating, photo-semiconductor, paper for transmitting images at a distance and recording electrical impulses, anti-corrosion, etc.) Some types of paper are used to produce yarn for making twine, twine, coarse fabrics, burlap, also paper for wrapping and bitumen pipes. Technical grades of paper and cardboard are widely used for production corrugated cardboard, book bindings, in the automotive and electrical industries, radio engineering, as an electrical, thermal, sound-proof and waterproof material, for filtering diesel fuel and purifying air from harmful impurities, for insulating power cables as gaskets between machine parts, in the construction industry for production of dry plaster, roofing materials (tar paper, roofing felt), etc. When highly porous paper is processed with a concentrated solution of zinc chloride, fiber is obtained, from which suitcases, containers for liquids, helmets for miners, etc. are produced. As a feedstock for pulp - paper production widely uses waste from sawmilling and mechanical processing of wood, as well as lower-quality wood from small-leaved species.

Pulp production requires large amounts of heat, electricity and water. Therefore, when locating pulp and paper enterprises, not only the raw material factor, but also the water factor and the proximity of the energy source are taken into account. According to the scale of production and economic importance second place Among the forest chemical industries, after the pulp and paper industry, it belongs hydrolysis industry. In hydrolysis production, ethyl alcohol, protein yeast, glucose, furfural, carbon dioxide, lignin, sulfite alcohol stillage concentrates, thermal insulation and construction boards and other chemical products are produced from non-edible plant raw materials. Hydrolysis plants use sawdust and other waste from sawmilling and woodworking, and crushed wood chips as raw materials.

Chemical-mechanical processing of wood includes the production of plywood, particle boards and fibreboards. Wood from the least scarce deciduous species - birch, alder, linden - is processed into plywood. Several types of plywood are produced in Russia; glued, facing, thermal, fire-resistant, colored, furniture, decorative, etc. There is a plywood production plant in Barnaul.

The role of the raw material factor in the location of forest industry sectors is enhanced by the integrated use of wood, on the basis of which a combination of production arises. In many forest areas of the Altai Territory, large timber processing complexes have emerged and are developing. They represent a combination of logging and many wood industries, interconnected by the deep, comprehensive use of raw materials.

3.2. Forest sector in the economy of the Altai Territory

The timber industry has always been one of the important sectors of the economy and determined the development of the socio-economic component of the regions, increasing the foreign exchange reserves of the state through the export of wood.

The forestry sector plays a significant role in the regional economy and has great importance for the socio-economic development of more than 50 administrative districts, and also ensures the development of close cooperation between Altai and the countries of the Asian region and neighboring regions of the Russian Federation.

Modern forestry management should ensure comprehensive and rational use resources and beneficial properties of forests, carrying out measures for the protection and protection of forests, their reproduction, preserving biodiversity and increasing the sustainability of forest ecosystems.

The use of forests for timber harvesting by Union organizations is currently not carried out effectively enough. The free wood reserve for harvesting is about 0.9 million m3 and is represented mainly by deciduous wood.

In 2007, the development of the estimated volumes for all types of felling was 83%. At the same time, coniferous wood was harvested, which led to the accumulation of mature and overmature deciduous wood, and this, in turn, can lead to negative environmental consequences.

Main reason low level development of the estimated cutting area for deciduous trees is the lack of production facilities for deep processing of low-grade wood. Existing production capacities for processing wood raw materials are fully loaded and there are no reserves for mechanical processing of wood. The lack of chemical-mechanical processing capacity does not allow the full use of the estimated logging area for soft-leaved species and logging waste from logging in coniferous plantations in the amount of 1.8 million m3.

Forest losses from forest fires, pests, industrial emissions and illegal logging remain high. Over the past 10 years, forestry workers of the Altai Territory have created forest plantations on an area of ​​57.1 thousand hectares and taken measures to promote natural forest regeneration on an area of ​​12.1 thousand hectares. At the same time, as a result of insufficient funding for reforestation activities in areas affected by large forest fires in the years, 42.5 thousand hectares of burned areas remain treeless areas, and artificial reforestation is carried out mainly at the expense of forestry organizations’ own funds, which does not allow increasing annual volumes planting forest crops, as a result of which the restoration of burnt areas extends over many years.

The strategic goal of forestry development is to create conditions that ensure sustainable forest management, adherence to the principles of continuous, multi-purpose, rational and sustainable use of forest resources with modern high-quality reproduction of forests and the preservation of their ecological functions and biological diversity.

To achieve the strategic goal, it is necessary to solve the following tasks:

· ensuring rational use and reproduction of forests;

· creation of new directions in the use of wood raw materials based on advanced technological solutions;

· formation of growth points in various areas of activity of the forestry complex;

· designation of the goals of long-term environmental and economic development of the forestry complex;

· identification of the main factors and limitations for the development of all types of forestry activities in the long term;

· increasing the intensity of forestry, taking into account environmental and economic factors;

· increasing the competitiveness of goods from woodworking organizations in the region with their further promotion to foreign markets;

· development of a program for restoring the production of consumer goods, including souvenirs, children's toys and forest chemical products.

The prospect for a qualitative improvement in the condition of forests should be deep chemical-mechanical processing of soft-leaved wood (birch, aspen).

The development strategy for wood processing in the forestry industry consists of a transition to an innovative type of production development, in the structure of which the leading role is given to high-tech products. Innovative activity associated with the development of new technologies and markets, updating the product range, and increasing the use of raw materials will dramatically expand the range and quality of goods.

In conclusion, we note that, despite favorable conditions for the development of the timber industry, the production and trade of timber leaves much to be desired due to a lack of funds. Reforms in the forest sector of the Altai Territory economy cannot be successfully carried out if they take place separately in forestry and in the timber industry complex. It is all the more important to have a common understanding that attempts to pull the logging industry out of the crisis based on increasing export potential cannot be successful due to the current situation on world markets. Everything depends on the actions of the Russian Government in relation to the forest sector as a whole, and not in parts; today a systemic solution to the issue is required

CHAPTER 4. Problems and prospects for the development of the forestry complex of the Altai Territory

4.1. Problems of the forest sector of the Altai Territory

There is such a concept in ecology - slightly disturbed forest areas. It stands for this: large tracts of forests, swamps, and copses that have experienced minimal impact from civilization. These territories could well be the pride of the Altai Territory. Valuable, highly productive (capable of reproducing) forest species and many rare species of flora and fauna are preserved there.

One of the most pronounced negative consequences of timber industry activities in the Priobsky forests of the Altai Territory is a change in their composition. After clear cuttings of the 60-80s, there was a reduction in the area of ​​coniferous trees and an increase in the area of ​​birch and aspen forests. During the logging process, coniferous undergrowth was completely destroyed or it was absent from the parent stands. In addition, large forest fires contributed to the change in species composition, after which the burnt areas were quickly populated by soft-leaved species. As a result, deciduous forest stands appeared in place of coniferous trees. This is clearly seen in the example of the Upper Ob region. If in the 50s of the last century the share of coniferous species here amounted to over 70 percent of the total composition of plantings, then by the year 2000, about 30% of coniferous plantings remained.

This change in species led to a sharp reduction in the estimated logging area for coniferous farming.

Reforestation measures carried out to prevent the change of species, namely the production of traditional pine plantings, did not justify themselves due to insufficiently high standards of production, insufficient care and damage by wild animals - in particular, moose. In such conditions, plantings eventually turn into low-value deciduous stands.

IN last years In the forestry sector of the region, chemicals are used to combat unwanted vegetation. But since the process is expensive, it is difficult to apply despite the effectiveness of this event. For further work in this direction, financial resources are needed: on average, costs per hectare range from 6 to 8 thousand rubles.

2. In accordance with Article 62 of the Forest Code, on leased forest lands, reforestation is carried out at the expense of the tenant. What to do with the restoration of forest areas formed earlier (before lease transfer) due to natural Disasters(forest fires, windfall), economic activity. The tenant's funds are not enough; federal support is needed.

It is necessary to introduce direct rules into Article 19 of the LC, providing for the conclusion of contracts for the implementation of measures for the protection, protection and reproduction of forests in accordance with forest legislation (through forestry competitions), as well as requirements for the qualifications of participants in forest auctions (legal and individuals who have some experience in carrying out the above work).

In addition, the contract is envisaged to be completed within one year, and reforestation activities cannot be carried out in such a short period of time. It is necessary to provide for a longer period for carrying out these activities so that the forest user has the opportunity and time to grow planting material, create forest crops, carry out maintenance, and transfer to a forested area. Throughout the contract, the contractor must be responsible for the quality of the work performed.

4. It is necessary to provide for the introduction of technical acceptance and inventory of forest crops. In addition, in order to monitor those performing reforestation work, it is necessary to develop instructions for all types of reforestation activities.

With the disappearance of forests, the habitat of many animals is reduced. Forests cut off roads, there are too many settlements, people, whom wild animals are afraid of. Entire species are falling out of the thousand-year balance of nature near Moscow. Without old forests, with snags, hollow, rotten trees and dead wood, a wide variety of animals and plants cannot exist. For example, some species of bats have disappeared. The degradation of nature is going unnoticed, but surely.”

4.2. Protection of the forest complex of the Altai Territory

Protection of forest resources is a system of scientifically based, biological, forestry, administrative, legal and other measures aimed at conservation, rational use and reproduction of forests to enhance their environmental, economic and other useful natural properties. [ 1]

Speaking about forests, it is impossible to overestimate their role and importance in the life of the biosphere and humanity inhabiting our planet. Forests perform very important functions that allow humanity to live and develop.

Forests play an extremely important role in the life of humanity, and their significance for the entire living world is great.[ 1 ]

However, the forest has many enemies. The most dangerous of them are forest fires, insect pests and fungal diseases. They contribute to the depletion of resources and often cause the death of forests.[ 1 ]

According to the Forest Code of the Russian Federation, Russian forest legislation is aimed at ensuring rational and non-exhaustive use of forests, protection and reproduction of forest ecosystems, increasing the ecological and resource potential of forests, meeting the needs of society for forest resources on the basis of scientifically based multi-purpose forest management.

Forestry activities and use of the forest fund must be carried out using methods that do not harm the environment, natural resources and human health.

Forestry management must ensure:

Preservation and enhancement of the environment-forming, protective, sanitary-hygienic, health-improving and other useful natural properties of forests in the interests of human health;

Multi-purpose, continuous, non-exhaustive use of the forest fund to meet the needs of society and individual citizens for timber and other forest resources;

The project “Ribbon pine forests of Altai - a unique natural heritage of Russia”, supported by the Russian Geographical Society, is nearing completion. Its goal was to preserve the natural complexes of Altai ribbon forests, their landscape and biological diversity. Currently, the processing of the rich factual material collected during the expeditions is being completed, but it is already possible to summarize the preliminary results of the project.

Seen from space

If you look at a satellite image of the south of Western Siberia, the eye is involuntarily drawn to several dark green stripes of forest parallel to each other, sharply contrasting with the surrounding agricultural landscapes. Upon closer examination, you can see that there are four such stripes in total: the two largest ones stretch from the Ob valley, merging near the border with Kazakhstan into a single massif, which continues southwest to the Irtysh. Two smaller ribbons, also starting off the banks of the Ob, end in the vastness of the Kulunda Plain. Two more sections of pine forest are very small, traditionally called selections, more like not ribbons, but like emerald islands, lost in a sea of ​​endless fields.

For the Altai Territory, strip burs are one of the main brands, an object that can be seen from space, as they say, “with the naked eye.” The secret of the unusual linear arrangement of these forests is that they occupy the bottoms of narrow and long hollows of ancient drainage with thick sand deposits, according to the most common version, left by water flows ice ages. Experts are still arguing about the age and origin of pine sands and the pine forests themselves. Indisputable, however, remains the fact that strip burs are unique not only on the scale of Siberia, but throughout Russia.

Bors are of great socio-economic importance for the western part of the Altai Territory. They serve as the main source of wood for the inhabitants of the steppe zone; have a softening effect on the climate of the surrounding areas (near the ribbon forests there is approximately 50 mm more precipitation than in treeless areas), and are a traditional place for recreation, picking berries and mushrooms.

Thanks to the contrasting combination natural conditions within the intrazonal belt forests there are adjacent natural complexes that are very different from each other. Steppe areas with feather grass and xerophytic herbs are sometimes located near a sphagnum bog, and a couple of kilometers from a shady green moss forest there may be a sun-dried salt marsh.

In secluded places far from settlements, in the shade of centuries-old pines, you can find a whole bouquet of northern orchids - from the inconspicuous at first glance nest flowers and lady's slippers to the spectacular lady's slippers. The role of ribbon pine forests is significant in preserving the populations of such globally rare animal species included in various red books as the imperial eagle, greater spotted eagle, white-tailed eagle, eagle owl, black stork, and other vulnerable bird species.

Need a special approach

Unfortunately, the high economic development of strip forests has led to the fact that many valuable natural complexes and populations rare species animals and plants became endangered, despite formal protection.

The first specially protected natural areas (reserves of regional significance) were created in ribbon forests back in the 60-70s of the last century. At that time, paramount importance was given to the reproduction of hunting and commercial species of animals; later, pine forest reserves received the status of complex (landscape) ones. However, until now, the main type of economic activity - logging - was carried out in pine forest reserves in the same mode and with the same intensity as in all other areas of the forest forest that do not have the status of specially protected natural areas. This could not but affect the condition of the protected objects.

Thus, until quite recently, the southern part of the Kulundinsky ribbon forest (Zavyalovsky reserve) was the only territory in the world where the nesting group of the Greater Spotted Eagle was preserved in numbers larger than that in all of foreign Europe, and eagles nested here with a density maximum for the species - 1-1. 5 km between neighboring nests. Currently, more than half of the spotted eagle's habitats have been destroyed. Therefore, the preservation of the remaining valuable areas is of particular importance. It is obvious that reserves, or even just their individual parts (where habitats of rare species still remain), require a special approach.

Thanks to grant support from the Russian Geographical Society, this year a large-scale survey of the territories of regional reserves located in ribbon forests was carried out. The main idea was to identify areas with the maximum density of “Red Books” for their subsequent allocation into specially protected zones of nature reserves and specially protected forest areas.

Employees of the Altai branch of the Russian Geographical Society (including a member of the Permanent Environmental Commission of the Russian Geographical Society - Doctor of Geographical Sciences Dmitry Chernykh), the Institute of Water and environmental problems SB RAS, Tigirek Nature Reserve, Altai State University, students, volunteers (including schoolchildren - participants in the “Adopt a Nature Reserve” program implemented by the Geblerov Ecological Society and the Tigirek Nature Reserve).

On the territory of the Kasmalinsky reserve, more than 270 growing points of 13 species of plants and fungi included in the Red Books of Russia and the Altai Territory were discovered (feather feather grass, captillaria capulata, three-notched lady's sage, orchis capulata, lady's slippers, grandiflora and drip, sparassis curly and other rare and endangered species). Within the same reserve, occupied nesting areas of the Imperial Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle and Eagle Owl were found.

To date, a scientific justification for changing the regime of protection and environmental management has already been prepared for the Kasmalinsky reserve, in particular, the allocation of a special protection zone where natural resources will be preserved. key places habitats of rare species and reference areas of natural complexes of the Kasmalinsky ribbon forest close to the natural state.

In the Kulundinsky reserve, more than fifty growing points of five plant species listed in the Red Books of Russia and the Altai Territory have been identified. Complexes of sphagnum bogs, rare for belt forests, were noted. Of significant value are the tracts of old-growth pine forests located along the edges of the forest near the fairly extensive steppe areas preserved in this part of the region. It is precisely such places, due to the ecotone effect, that are strips of concentration of biological diversity, including serving as refuges for rare and endangered species of plants and animals.

Mamontovsky and Kornilovsky nature reserves, thanks to the combination of large lakes and forest complexes, are extremely important for preserving the habitats of rare and endangered species of large feathered predators. Here are the nesting areas of species included in the Red Data Books of Russia and the Altai Territory, such as the white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, imperial eagle, greater spotted eagle, eagle owl, great gray owl, as well as such a rare forest bird as the black stork. Undisturbed areas of old-growth pine forests on the border with wetlands are subject to special protection here. In the crowns of the largest patriarch pines, rare birds build their massive nests, and in lakes and swamps they obtain food to feed their chicks.

In general, as a result of the project, a database was created on the distribution of rare species of plants and animals in the belt forests of the region; The most environmentally valuable areas have been identified within the above-mentioned reserves. Currently, justifications and proposals for improving the protection regimes of pine forest reserves are being finalized.

It should be noted that the authorized government body - the Main Department of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Altai Territory - supported the initiative of the environmental community to strengthen the protection of pine forest ecosystems. Currently, documentation is being prepared to change the regime of the Kasmalinsky reserve in terms of limiting forest felling. In addition, this year three new natural monuments have been created within the Barnaul ribbon forest; projects for the creation of two more monuments have received a positive conclusion from the state environmental assessment.

Results of the project "Ribbon pine forests of Altai - unique natural heritage Russia" will be in demand in real environmental practice and will serve the sustainable conservation of ribbon forests in all their diversity.

The material was prepared by the head of the project “Ribbon pine forests of Altai - a unique natural heritage of Russia” Lyudmila Nekhorosheva.