The Transformation of Forest Resources in the South of Western Siberia: Data from the Altai Krai

Abstract

The organization of sustainable forest management is of particular importance in low-forest areas, where forest ecosystems are the source of productive resources performing essential ecological functions. Therefore, the impact of economic activities on the natural vegetation cover can be direct (associated with the withdrawal of resources) or indirect (which occurs due to changes in the environmental conditions of plant growth). As a result of these processes, the productivity of ecosystems is reduced. We identified the main negative changes in the Altai Krai forest cover, which belongs to the West Siberian subtaiga forest-steppe and the Altai-Sayan subtaiga vegetation area. The decrease in forest productivity in the first district is associated with irrational felling, forest fires, and pests. The decrease in forest cover of the territory is particularly evident. The quality of foothill and mountain forests worsened due to the anthropogenic impact. Artificial restoration does not compensate for the damage to forest resources.