What human actions are dangerous for the forest. Lesson summary “Forest hazards. Measures to eliminate damage caused by deforestation

Measures to eliminate damage caused by deforestation

In order to stop the process of forest destruction, norms for the wise use of forest resources should be developed. It is necessary to adhere to the following directions:

• conservation of forest landscapes and its biological diversity;
• maintaining uniform forest management without depleting forest resources;
• training the population in skills careful attitude to the forest;
• strengthening control at the state level over the conservation and use of forest resources;
• creation of forest accounting and monitoring systems;
• improvement of forest legislation,

Replanting trees often does not cover the damage caused by cutting down. IN South America, South Africa and Southeast Asia, forest areas continue to decline inexorably.

In order to reduce damage from logging, it is necessary:

• Increase areas for planting new forests
• Expand existing ones and create new protected areas and forest reserves.
• Deploy effective measures to prevent forest fires.
• Conduct measures, including preventive ones, to combat diseases and pests.
• Conduct selection of tree species resistant to environmental stress.
• Protect forests from the activities of mining enterprises.
• Realize fight against poachers.
• Use effective and least harmful logging techniques. Minimize wood waste and develop ways to use it.
• Deploy methods of secondary wood processing.
• Encourage ecological tourism.

What can people do to save forests?

Walk in the woods- it is always a joy to communicate with the world of living nature; it evokes a whole range of sensations and impressions, painted in spring-summer-autumn-winter colors. However, lovers of such travel must know: a forest is, first of all, a complex complex of relationships between plants, animals, soils, sunlight and night darkness, air and water.

Man in the forest- a guest, and from the point of view of forest inhabitants - an uninvited and uninvited guest, often completely unaware of the rules of behavior “on a visit”. Hence - accidents, emergencies, injuries, fears, legends and myths associated with both exaggeration and understatement of the danger that the forest conceals.

Animals living in the forest pose a danger to humans. They are very diverse, but it is still possible to formulate several general patterns in their behavior:

1. Animals, especially birds and mammals, are significantly better than man adapted to life in the forest. They have more advanced sensory organs and are almost always the first to notice a person by smell and sound. Its smell is a strong danger signal for a wild animal.

2. The popular opinion about the timidity of animals, especially large predators, should not be exaggerated too much. For some of them, such as bears and tigers, a very common behavior trait is curiosity, which can sometimes turn into unprovoked aggression.

3. Not people, but animals are in the forest on their own territory, so they regard the appearance of a person as a typical “border violation”, “invasion” with all the ensuing consequences.

4. In the animal world, unlike human society, the concepts of “stranger” and “enemy”, “unknown” and “dangerous” often coincide, so it is at least naive to count on a friendly attitude on the part of forest inhabitants.

5. Animals, to a greater extent than people, try to avoid danger: mobile animals go as far as possible from humans, sedentary ones use various ways passive or active protection. Forest animals are unsurpassed masters of camouflage; they know how to use all kinds of shelters.

6. The behavior of many animals (especially large ungulates and carnivores) changes significantly during certain periods of their life cycle (reproduction, migration, etc.). Animals become much more aggressive, and the danger to humans increases sharply.

7. Any species, even a widespread one, prefers certain habitats, and here the probability of a chance encounter with animals of this species is higher.

Remember two fairly simple and accessible rules that will help you avoid many troubles. It is necessary to have an understanding of the habits of animals and birds, plus be attentive and careful during forest walks.

Emergencies in the forest associated with animals can be divided into two groups: an active attack by a potentially dangerous animal and accidents that occur as a result of careless (or illiterate) handling of an animal, which in a normal situation is quite neutral towards humans.

In the main settlement zone of Russia and Ukraine, situations of the first type are most often associated with large predatory and ungulate animals - bear, wolf, tiger, lynx, leopard, elk, wild boar, deer. Unprovoked attacks are quite rare. For example, a tiger lunges at people for no reason in about 4% of all cases. Usually the animal attacks: for the purpose of self-defense, during a hunt, when caught near prey, when a person carelessly invades its territory, during the mating season (the so-called rut; animals are especially aggressive during this period), protecting offspring, during persistent pursuit under -wound or just when chance meeting with a person, with sudden close eye-to-eye contact.

According to many experts, the most unpredictable large forest predator in terms of behavior is the brown bear. Most sudden encounters with this animal end in its rapid flight. Nevertheless, cases of unprovoked attacks on people in the European part of Russia are recorded almost every year. Suddenly, mushroom and berry pickers and tourists, as a rule, “look out for the bear.” Sometimes the bear shows aggression and may even chase a person, but then quickly stops the pursuit and runs away. However, much more serious incidents are also known, when an animal literally besieged a hunting lodge - sometimes for almost a week! - and did not let people out of there. Cases of aggression from a bear disturbed in its winter den are quite common. However, such “dates” can be easily avoided if you know the bear’s favorite places in this forest(bears are quite conservative in choosing a territory for a den) and avoid them further. A meeting with a wolf is fraught with significant danger, although this predator will almost always prefer to hide than to attack. The famous Canadian naturalist Farley Mowat wonderfully described such a sudden meeting. “...We collided nose to nose. We were separated by some two meters... We silently stared at each other. I don’t know what was going on in his massive skull, but my head was filled with a swarm of disturbing thoughts. The amber eyes of a seasoned tundra wolf gazed directly at me; Apparently, he was heavier than me and, undoubtedly, had a much better command of unarmed fighting techniques.

For several seconds neither of us moved, we continued to hypnotize each other with our gaze. The wolf was the first to break the spell. With a leap that would have done honor even to Russian dancers, he soared into the air and took off running..."

In recent years, experts have noted that people encounter wolves in forest areas more often than before. Fans of forest walks, and especially long routes, should be careful.

Perhaps the most serious danger is a sudden meeting with a wolf or fox that has rabies. Here an attack is almost guaranteed, and it is almost impossible to avoid it. A sick animal can be recognized by its “stupor”, angry eyes, sharply aggressive behavior, and immediate, literally on the spot, attack. The beast sometimes seems to sputter with saliva; There is often foam in the corners of the mouth. These animals are dangerous even when they are already dying and, snarling, cannot move. Under no circumstances should you approach them - they may bite, and then you will have to undergo long-term treatment.

Animals with rabies are not found everywhere, and before going into the forest it would be useful to obtain information from the SES about outbreaks of the disease. In case of a bite, you should immediately consult a doctor, because only correct and, most importantly, timely treatment started and carried out guarantees a complete recovery.

In recent years, due to the emergence of numerous holiday villages, another serious problem- feral dogs that gather in packs, often large ones. Animals are very aggressive, secretive and cunning (learned from humans). A meeting with a flock is extremely dangerous in the same cases as with other predators. If you are attacked by such dogs, we advise you to use a unique method of protection. Since many of these animals still remember communicating with humans, a sharp and imperative shout of “no!” often helps.

Wild ungulates common to Russian and Ukrainian forests- moose, wild boar, deer, roe deer are much more timid and cautious than predators, and, as a rule, move away from humans. However, during the mating season, these animals are characterized by increased excitability and aggressiveness and can pose a significant danger. There are known cases when an elk kept a tree “under siege” for hours, on which an unlucky tourist or hunter was escaping from an angry elk.

How to avoid an unwanted meeting with wild beast? Perhaps, best way- reduce the likelihood of a collision to a minimum. Avoid traveling to areas where encountering a predator is common; do not appear in the favorite habitats of dangerous animals. If you do go on a hiking trip, be extremely careful and careful, especially at night. The presence of predators or dangerous ungulates can be indicated by a variety of signs: footprints on the soil, trampled grass and undergrowth, stripped bark on trees, droppings, feeding sites, and sometimes the remains of prey. Wolves, being the first to sense a person, make specific sounds (snorting, howling, loud barking), warning other members of the pack, and especially the young. During the rut or feeding, wild boars behave so noisily that it is not so difficult to notice them. You should avoid animal trails, difficult to pass, overgrown with bushes and littered forest areas, and windbreaks. In such places there is a high probability of encountering an animal, and it is also extremely inconvenient to retreat here. When going into the forest (preferably not alone), be sure to tell about where you are going to go and when you expect to return.

But what to do if an unpleasant date does happen? First of all, don’t lose your presence of mind! Try not to panic. Experienced hunters They believe that an animal feels when a person is afraid of it, your fear will only spur aggression, i.e. the animal’s instinct to attack a weaker enemy may be triggered. No sudden movements or shrill screams - at least at the first moment, until you are sure that you can really scare, and not attract, the animal in this way. However, sometimes the scream actually confuses the animal and even sends it into a stampede. Stories are told of how a man, with his arms outstretched, ran screaming towards a bear, who retreated in fear. However, not everyone is capable of such actions!

When meeting a bear or tiger, you should not turn your back to the animal: he will regard such a position as proof of your weakness. A person naturally tries to run away from danger, but in this case, flight is good only if you are absolutely sure that you will reach a safer place (for example, a hunting lodge, a tree, a car, etc.) faster than a predator, and to do this It is extremely difficult in forest conditions. It is almost impossible to escape from a bear or a tiger; Moreover, for all predators, the flight of the prey only fuels the desire to pursue it. Experts, as the best way out of the situation, advise freezing in place, and then, as calmly as possible, backing away, retreating and, only having moved 10-15 meters away, also slowly, sideways. At these moments it is very important not to provoke the predator to aggressive behavior excessive courage or, on the contrary, cowardice, do not aggravate the situation, which at the very beginning is more neutral than outright dangerous. The experience of unexpected encounters with a tiger shows that in approximately 80% of cases the animal does not show aggression at the first moment, behaves “cognitively”, does not leave the person, but does not approach him either. The tiger can simply stand still and look in the direction of the stranger, and then walk away with dignity.

Experienced people do not advise looking directly into the eyes of a predator for a long time, since such a look (and a person, numb with fear, usually looks intently at the animal) can be perceived as competition and will only spur aggression.

When retreating, you need to carefully monitor the animal’s facial expressions in order to predict its intentions. A bear, for example, has a good “indicator” of a relatively calm state—upright ears. If the ears are pressed to the head, the fur on the back of the neck stands on end, the animal bares its teeth, trembles, and hunches a little, it means that it is really angry and ready to attack.

When you are faced with large predator nose to nose, remember that there is a certain critical distance, at which the situation will still remain fairly neutral and the animal will most likely not dare to attack first, but will only scare you. If the distance is less than critical, then the predator may feel driven into a corner and go ahead, that is, rush at the person. Therefore, if you suddenly find yourself, for example, directly in front of a bear, move a few meters to the side, maintaining a critical distance.

While in the forest, it is sometimes worth making your presence known (by voice or other means), as if warning the animals and giving them the opportunity to leave. In general, if a person is not hunting, the most correct thing for him is to walk noisily, talk loudly or hum. But that's exceptional dangerous predator, a connecting rod bear, the sounds of a human voice can, on the contrary, attract.

Experienced hunters also talk about more “exotic” methods of behavior at critical moments of an encounter with a predator. This, for example, is “persuading” an animal: a person began to talk affectionately about something and a calm intonation softened the aggressive tension of the animal. In some cases, objects thrown aside helped - a backpack, a hat, a sweater, food; they distracted the predator's attention and gave them time to retreat. Another way to reduce the aggression of an animal is to pretend to be dead, as some small animals do. It is recommended to fall on your side, curl up into a ball if possible, reducing the surface of your body, and hide your head. It is likely that the animal will sniff you, touch you, or even move you for a long time - you need to be prepared for this and be patient.

To avoid direct contact with a predator, all methods are good, since an unprepared person has very little chance of emerging victorious in a fight with a tiger, wolf or bear. Meanwhile, experts note that hand-to-hand combat with brown bear more often ends in serious injuries than death on the spot; the animal is more likely to “remember”, but will not kill. There were cases when hunters, having fallen into the arms of a bear, acted so decisively and courageously (any means were used, including blows to the sensitive nose and bites!) that the animal retreated.

And yet, let us remind you once again: there are no rules of behavior that would guarantee absolute safety for an unarmed person when meeting a large predator. The most important thing is to try to avoid encounters with wild animals.

Another type of emergency situation is careless handling of forest inhabitants that are quite harmless at first glance. Unfortunately, such emergencies happen much more often than attacks by large animals, and people themselves are primarily to blame for them.

From this point of view, many forest animals can be considered potentially dangerous. First of all, this is a vast and diverse group of poisonous animals.

Under certain circumstances, arachnids and insects, especially biting and stinging ones, pose a danger - beetles, ants, wasps, mosquitoes, flies, butterflies. These small, mobile animals, almost invisible in dense grass or bushes, can penetrate the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, which can lead to serious injuries, especially in children. Rests and overnight stays during the hike should be done away from places where social insects gather; We also advise you to carefully check your clothing. Explain to young children that it is strictly forbidden to pick up insects, much less in the mouth, since even the “kindest” beetle will always have means of defense - spines, “jaws,” an unpleasant odor, caustic substances, etc.

Despite large-scale preventive measures, there is a threat of infection with serious diseases, the carriers of which can be forest insects. Here we should mention first of all flies. They carry pathogens (causative agents of dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever, diphtheria) on their tongues and proboscis. These insects pose a particular danger near forest waste dumps. People “owe” such serious diseases as tick-borne encephalitis and piroplasmosis to ticks. No less dangerous are fleas (they carry plague and tularemia) and blood-sucking mosquitoes, which not only cause pain with their bites, but also carry a number of pathogens. Perhaps the simplest and most accessible method of protection against bites of these animals is a thorough examination of open areas of the body immediately after each visit to the forest, as well as the use of a wide arsenal modern means, repelling insects. And of course - preventive vaccinations, thanks to which the frequency and severity of diseases has significantly decreased.

Small and medium in size carnivorous mammals belonging to the mustelid family (badger, ermine, weasel, pine marten, black polecat, European mink, otter), are harmless only at first glance. Remember that mustelids, although relatively small in size, are still the most real and very energetic predators, capable of active and aggressive defense; When protecting young animals, they are able to bite seriously. There are known cases when a badger, disturbed in its hole, severely bit hunting dogs and the hunters themselves, which the first one would never do in a chance meeting with a person. Some animals (for example, weasel, ferret, ermine) are not without curiosity and willingly visit settlements, and in the forest they can approach the tourist site, especially at night.

It’s worth reminding once again about such an “iron” rule of behavior in the forest, such as the prohibition of destroying animal shelters - holes, nests, etc. A person who violates this rule not only behaves unworthily in relation to our smaller brothers, but also puts his own health and life in serious danger, since in the face of loss own home or the death of the offspring, the most peace-loving creature goes wild.

In conditions of limited visibility, especially at night, any animal, even a harmless one, can greatly frighten, especially a child, with a loud cry, a sudden sharp movement, or simply appearance(for example, non-venomous snakes). People sometimes had heart attacks out of fright when not only such a thing suddenly took off right from under their feet. large bird, like a capercaillie, but even a hazel grouse. The sharp and noisy take-off of birds is nothing more than active protection, designed to put the predator into a state of shock for a moment. In the forest, with relative isolation, fear is much more difficult to bear and sometimes leads to severe stress, psychological trauma. Here you always need to be internally prepared for fear, for the fact that you can hear or see something “scary”.

Study the habits of wild animals, then the fear of them will recede, and the forest inhabitants will graciously accept you into their “company”.

The forest expanses of Russia seem almost limitless. But even with such a scale, a person in the process of economic activity manages to cause damage to them. Felling for the purpose of timber harvesting is becoming widespread in some places. Such intensive and unreasonable use gradually leads to the fact that the forest fund begins to deplete. This is noticeable even in the taiga zone.

The rapid destruction of forests leads to the disappearance of unique flora and fauna, as well as to the deterioration of the ecological situation. This especially affects the composition of the air.

Main causes of deforestation

Among the main reasons for deforestation, the first thing worth noting is the possibility of its use as a building material. Also very often, forests are cut down for the purpose of development or use of land for agricultural land.

This problem became especially acute at the beginning of the 19th century. With the development of science and technology, most of the cutting work began to be performed by machines. This made it possible to significantly increase productivity and, accordingly, the number of trees cut down.

Another reason for massive deforestation is the creation of pastures for farm animals. This problem is especially acute in tropical forests. On average, grazing one cow will require 1 hectare of pasture, which is several hundred trees.

Why should forestlands be preserved? What does deforestation lead to?

A forest is not only trees and shrubs and grasses, but also hundreds of different living creatures. Deforestation is one of the most common environmental problems. With the destruction of trees in the biogeocenosis system, the ecological balance is disrupted.

Uncontrolled destruction of forests leads to the following negative consequences:

1. Some species of flora and fauna are disappearing.
2. Species diversity is decreasing.
3. The amount of carbon dioxide () begins to increase in the atmosphere.
4. arise soil erosion which lead to the formation of deserts.
5. In places with high groundwater levels, waterlogging begins.

Interesting! More than half of all forest areas are tropical forests. Moreover, they are home to about 90% of all known animals and plants.

Statistics on deforestation in the world and in Russia

Deforestation is a global problem. It is relevant not only for Russia, but also for a number of other countries. According to statistics on deforestation, about 200 thousand km 2 of forests are cut down every year around the world. This leads to the death of tens of thousands of animals.

If we consider the data in thousands of hectares for individual countries, they will look like this:

1. Russia - 4.139;
2. Canada - 2.45;
3. Brazil - 2.15;
4. USA - 1.73;
5. Indonesia - 1.6.

The problem of deforestation least of all concerns China, Argentina and Malaysia. On average, about 20 hectares of forests are destroyed on the planet in one minute. This problem is especially acute for tropical zone. For example, in India, in just over 50 years, the forested area has decreased by more than half.

In Brazil large areas forests were cut down for development purposes. Because of this, the populations of some animal species have declined greatly. Africa accounts for approximately 17% of the world's forest reserves. In terms of hectares, this is about 767 million. According to the latest data, about 3 million hectares are cut down here every year. Over the past centuries, over 70% of forests in Africa have been destroyed.

Deforestation statistics in Russia are also disappointing. Especially a lot of coniferous trees are being destroyed. Massive deforestation in Siberia and the Urals contributed to the formation of a large number of wetlands. It is worth noting that most of the logging is illegal.

Forest groups

All forests on the territory of Russia according to their environmental and economic importance can be classified into 3 groups:

1. This group includes plantings that have a water protection and protective function. For example, these could be forest belts along the banks of reservoirs or wooded areas on mountain slopes. This group also includes forests that perform sanitary, hygienic and health-improving functions, national reserves and parks, and natural monuments. The forests of the first group account for 17% of the total forest area.
2. The second group includes plantings in areas with high population density and a well-developed transport network. This also includes forests with an insufficient timber resource base. The second group accounts for about 7%.
3. The largest group accounts for 75% of its share in the forest fund. This category includes plantings for operational purposes. Due to them, the needs for wood are satisfied.

The division of forests into groups is described in more detail in the “Fundamentals of Forest Legislation”.

Types of fellings

Timber harvesting can be carried out in all forest groups without exception. In this case, all fellings are divided into 2 types:

• main use;
• care

Final fellings

Final felling is carried out only in plantations that have reached the period of maturity. They are divided into the following types:

1. Solid. With this type of logging, everything except the undergrowth is cut down. They are carried out in one go. Restrictions on their implementation are imposed in forests of environmental and ecological significance, as well as in nature reserves and parks.
2. Gradual. With this type of felling, the tree stand is removed in several stages. In this case, first of all, trees that interfere with the further development of young trees, damaged and diseased trees are cut down. Typically, between 6 and 9 years pass between cuttings. In the first step, about 35% of the total tree stand is removed. At the same time, the bulk consists of overmature trees.
3. Selective. Their main purpose is the formation of highly productive plantations. During them, diseased, dead, windfall and other inferior trees are cut down. All thinnings are divided into the following types: clarification, clearing, thinning and passing. Depending on the condition of the forest, thinning may also be clear cutting.

Legal and illegal logging

All deforestation work is strictly regulated by Russian legislation. In this case, the most important document is the “Cutting Ticket”. To complete it you will need the following documents:

1. A statement indicating the reason for the felling.
2. Plan of the area highlighting the area allocated for felling.
3. Taxation description of cut down plantings.

A logging ticket will also be required when exporting already harvested wood. Its price is proportional to the cost of compensation for use natural resources. Cutting down trees without the appropriate documents is classified as illegal logging.

Responsibility for it is provided for in Article 260 Part 1. It is applicable only in cases where the amount of damage exceeds 5,000 rubles. For smaller violations, administrative liability is applicable. It implies the imposition of a fine in the amount of 3,000 to 3,500 rubles on citizens and from 20 to 30 thousand on officials.

Consequences of deforestation

The consequences of deforestation are a long-term problem. Deforestation affects the entire ecosystem. This is especially true for the problem of purifying and saturating the air with oxygen.

Also, according to recent studies, it has been found that massive logging contributes to global warming. This is due to the carbon cycle that occurs on the surface of the Earth. At the same time, we should not forget about the water cycle in nature. In it the trees take the most Active participation. Absorbing moisture with their roots, they evaporate it into the atmosphere.

Soil erosion is another problem associated with deforestation. Tree roots prevent erosion and weathering of the top fertile layers of soil. In the absence of a tree stand, wind and precipitation begin to destroy the upper humus layer, thereby turning fertile lands into a lifeless desert.

The problem of deforestation and ways to solve it

One of the ways to solve the problem of deforestation is to plant trees. But she will not be able to completely compensate for the damage caused. The approach to this problem must be comprehensive. To do this, you must adhere to the following directions:

1. Plan forest management.
2. Strengthen protection and control over the use of natural resources.
3. Develop a system for monitoring and accounting of the forest fund.
4. Improve forest legislation.

In most cases, planting trees does not cover the damage caused. For example, in South America and Africa, despite all the measures taken, the forest area continues to decline inexorably. Therefore, to reduce negative consequences felling, it is necessary to take a whole range of additional measures:

1. Increase planting area annually.
2. Create protected areas with a special forest management regime.
3. Dedicate significant efforts to preventing forest fires.
4. Deploy recycling wood

Forest protection policy in different countries may differ significantly. Some impose restrictions on use, while others simply increase the volume of restoration plantings. But absolutely new approach developed for this problem Norway. She plans completely stop cutting down.

This country has officially announced that the so-called “zero deforestation” policy will be implemented on its territory. Over the years, Norway has actively supported various forest protection programs. For example, in 2015, it allocated 1 billion rubles to Brazil to preserve the Amazon rain forests. Investments from Norway and a number of other countries have helped reduce deforestation by 75%.

From 2011 to 2015, the Norwegian government allocated 250 million rubles and other tropical country- Guyana. And as of this year, Norway has officially announced “zero tolerance” for logging. That is, it will no longer purchase forest products.

Environmental experts say that paper can also be produced by recycling waste. And other resources can be used as fuel and building materials. To this statement the state Pension Fund Norway responded by withdrawing from its portfolio all shares of enterprises associated with damage to the forest fund.

According to the fund wildlife, every minute forests with an area comparable to the area of ​​48 football fields disappear from the surface of the Earth. This also significantly increases the emission of greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

Autumn is mushroom time, the time for hiking through the forests, drying mushrooms and “spinning.” In this article we will try to figure out how to make a trip to the dacha and a trip to the forest safe.

Beginning with early spring The way of life of many city dwellers is beginning to move closer to nature. Let's remember this time, when the sun had just begun to warm up: walks and games with children in the fresh air for many were systematically replaced by the organization of country life, cleaning the plot, cultivating the garden and planting seedlings. By mid-June, dacha life was finally getting better, the beds were planted and were producing the first harvests of greens and radishes. More and more often, villagers were seen along suburban highways, diligently laying out their simple goods - fragrant wild strawberries and the first mushrooms. Just at this time, urban connoisseurs of the gifts of the forest also flocked en masse to the lands, where they were often in danger. In autumn, trips to the forest become more frequent: the desire for winter mushroom reserves is combined with the need to obtain natural antidepressants through communication with nature, because the autumn blues do not take long to arrive.

Dangers in the forest

The first trouble that any summer resident outside the city faces is ticks. Taiga tick (Ixodes persulcatus) and dog tick (Ixodes ricinus) – carriers mortal danger enemies of man. The habitat of the first of them is Siberian forests and forests Far East. The dog tick is a resident of predominantly the European part of Russia, Central and Northern Europe. The main way to protect yourself from ticks is to take a responsible approach to choosing clothing for the forest. Do not neglect the repellent.

Our pets also need protection - treatment with drops against ticks when leaving the city is mandatory for both dogs and cats. One of the most serious diseases, often leading to the death of an animal, is piroplasmosis.

Ticks are carried by birds and animals and can be found on trees and bushes. There are especially many of them in the grass. Owners of summer cottages located near forest plantations need to keep the area clean and regularly mow the grass.

How to prepare for a hike in the forest

Watch out for snakes!

In damp areas near swamps and streams you can often find vipers basking in the sun. However, if you notice a motley inhabitant of the forest, you should not approach it even for a very good photograph. You need to get around it as carefully as possible, without provoking or frightening. An aggressively venomous snake warns a potential offender with a characteristic hissing and crackling sound. In this case, you should leave this area of ​​the forest as quickly as possible. Some irresponsible people try to kill the snake. It is precisely such senseless actions that most often lead to severe injuries. Forest experts understand that adequate behavior and strong high boots or rubber boots can easily protect against an accidental bite.

What to do if you get lost in the forest

People lost in the forest do not dare admit to themselves that the most main danger comes from the forest guest himself. Poor awareness of correct behavior in nature, unfamiliarity with the area and lack of navigation skills most often lead to tragic consequences. When going for a walk in the forest, people often overestimate their strength and health. Rescuers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations, together with activists from volunteer organizations, spend days searching for such “lost victims.” Unfortunately, it is not always possible to save a person. Most often, pensioners and people with poor health find themselves in such situations. But vigilance and composure can save lives.
Before going out into nature, you must inform your family or neighbors about your approximate route of movement and the expected time of return, so that in the event of an emergency emergency people could raise the alarm in time and guide rescuers. It is important to take a charged mobile phone with you, having prepared in advance a list of duty numbers of local intelligence agencies. Many modern phones come with a navigation system, which can be very useful. It is dangerous to take a mobile phone that requires charging into the forest; do not be lazy to charge it in time until the battery is full. For visitors to the forests of the middle zone, where it is not recommended to take water from open sources for drinking, be sure to have a bottle of clean still water with you. A small chocolate bar or a hematogen familiar to everyone from childhood will not burden your load, they will give you strength and help you cheer up at the first signs of fatigue. As well as a small knife and pocket lighter
A basic first aid kit consists of the obligatory painkillers, antihistamines, heart medications, as well as plaster, bandages and potassium permanganate, and then supplemented with medications, focusing on individual needs. If you take a couple of tablets of each drug and seal it tightly, such a travel first aid kit will take up very little space.

If you find yourself lost, it is important to remember a few simple rules:

1. Stop the surging panic. Alas, no one is immune from such cases. But fear and panic can delay your stay in the forest belt for hours, or maybe even days. This condition makes it impossible for the mind to think rationally.
2. Proceed carefully and slowly. Under no circumstances should you run in all directions at once. This will lead to more wandering and injury. Save your strength.
3. Stand in one place and calmly think about everything. You need to decide whether they will look for you, where you were seen in last time. If you don’t know that your friends will go looking for you, it’s better to stay where you are, because... it will be closest to the area where you were seen. Signal "Oy" with your voice. If you have a mobile phone, turn it off first to save battery. Think about it. who you can call to find you. If there is no connection or you are sure that no one will look for you, call emergency service 112. Tell them that you are lost and provide approximate directions. Speak clearly and concisely, describe what you see around you.
4. Take a break from dressing yourself warmer. Light a fire if it's cold. In general, fire is one of the most important means of salvation and a signal about your location.
5. If you are sure that no one will look for you and you do not have a phone at your disposal, make a clear plan of action, trying not to change directions. Remember important rules orientation: trees are covered with moss on the north side; the south before noon can be found to the right of the sun, after noon - to the left. As you move, leave nicks and other marks.

If you follow these simple rules, you can avoid dangerous consequences forest walk. For the most part, a city dweller who turns away from the bustle of the city and rediscovers the wild world (and also thinks about safety in advance!) will experience pleasant fatigue after a forest hike, bringing with it a healthy, sound sleep.