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. 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. In Siberia and Far East The main reserves of pine and cedar are concentrated, 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 middle lane. In the Asian part it ranges from 2 m3 in the south to 0.5 m3 in the north, which is explained by severe climatic conditions, high age plantings and the consequences of forest fires (high fire danger due to weather conditions develops primarily in the Irkutsk region, the Republic of Sakha and the Krasnoyarsk Territory).

Since the forest is a system of components connected with each other and with the external environment: wood and non-wood raw materials 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 areas: 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.

It is possible to meet the growing needs for forest resources from year to year only by increasing the productivity of forest ecosystems, and this is the 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 variety of annual human economic activities 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. The mineral deposits and forest wealth of Altai gave impetus to the development of mining and copper smelting.

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, the wood of the Altai forests and the products of its processing were used to restore many dozens of plants and factories evacuated from the west, 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 passed difficult path development and forestry enterprises have become 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", total area - 1123.5 thousand hectares, including 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 those covered with forest - 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), in which a large number of coniferous plantations of dry forest types, young coniferous forests 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 dangerous phenomenon replacement of coniferous species with less valuable deciduous ones. 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. Wood is easy to process, has a low specific gravity, is quite durable, and chemical composition allows you to obtain a wide range of useful products from it.

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, and 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

All higher value acquires the use of forests for social needs - recreation and health improvement of people, improvement of their habitat. 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 nervous system person.

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 a common name - the forestry industry, it is also called the forestry 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 at the beginning of the 21st century. 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 It is located mainly in the main logging areas and at the junctions of transport routes, at the intersection of 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 the production of corrugated cardboard, book bindings, in the automotive and electrical industries, radio engineering, as electrical, thermal, sound insulating 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 the production of dry plaster, roofing materials (tar paper, roofing felt), etc. By processing highly porous paper with a concentrated solution of zinc chloride, fiber is obtained, from which suitcases, containers for liquids, and helmets for miners are produced etc. Waste from sawmilling and mechanical processing of wood, as well as lower-quality small-leaved wood, are widely used as feedstock for pulp and paper production.

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. In terms of production scale and economic importance, the 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 entities Russian Federation.

Modern forestry management should ensure the integrated and rational use of 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.

The main reason for the low level of 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 flora and fauna.

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 was over 70 percent general composition plantations, then by the year 2000, about 30% of coniferous plantations 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 forestry of the region they are used to combat unwanted vegetation chemical substances. 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, per hectare costs 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 expected to be completed within one year, and reforestation activities cannot be carried out in such a period. short term. 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 properties. 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 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 rugged 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

Originality flora Altai is due to the unusual relief, special climatic conditions and features of historical development. Almost all plants characteristic of northern and central Asia and the European part of Russia are represented here.

One of the most famous wonders of Altai is the ribbon pine forests. There is no such nature formation anywhere else in the world. Five years of 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 firs, and mighty Siberian cedars are surrounded by curly birches. 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 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.

The Altai taiga regions are home to 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 most cold spot Altai - 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.

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 stated: “If you want to find the most a nice place, look for the most ancient." One of these places for him was Altai, where last days his soul yearned for life.

Land of contrasts

Various landforms lead to the formation of relatively small area Altai has a whole series 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. Species composition vegetation includes two-thirds of the total species diversity of Western Siberia, with a considerable percentage of 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, the vegetation of the Altai Mountains obeys the law of vertical zonation, 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 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. Broad-leaved forests are poorly represented in most regions of the Altai Mountains. 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 most high peak 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.

Forest fund 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. Covered forest area is 3561.5 thousand hectares or 81.6% of the total area forests(according to forest fund records as of 01/01/98). Forest cover territories Altai Territory is 21.1%.

Forest cover varies by region from 54.6% to 1 percent or less. Highest percentage forest cover 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 m 3, the share of burnt areas of the total area forests- 0.141%, share of fellings from the total area forests - 1,08%.

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

Forests 1 groups occupy 2918.9 thousand hectares. Forests 2 groups occupy 818 thousand hectares. Forests 3 groups occupy an area of ​​625.6 thousand hectares.

According to natural and forestry conditions, role and significance in forests The State Fund has allocated 4 forestry areas:

• Tape-hog - ribbon forests, All forests classified as “especially valuable forest areas”, the total area is 1123.5 thousand hectares, incl. covered forest area - 880.1 thousand hectares;
• Priobsky - attributed forests Priobye: total area 837.7 thousand hectares, incl. covered forest area - 661.1 thousand hectares;
• Salairsky - attributed forests Salair black taiga, total area forests 583.3 thousand hectares, incl. covered forest- 515.6 thousand hectares;
• Piedgorny - foothills forests Altai, total area forests 836.3 thousand hectares, incl. covered forest 646.6 thousand hectares.

The predominant breeds in forests of the Altai region are coniferous - 54% (including cedar - 1.9%), small-leaved - 46%. Average age forests State Forest Fund - 66 years, incl. coniferous - 80 years and deciduous - 48 years. The timber reserve of the entire forest fund is 494.85 million m3, incl. State Forest Fund - 400.08 million m3.

The average annual growth reaches 6.5 million m 3, of which coniferous trees account for 3.5 million m 3 and deciduous trees - 3 million m 3.

The estimated cutting area for the main use is 2040 thousand m 3, incl. for coniferous farming - 331 thousand m3.

The intensity of forest use decreases annually, so in 1994 - 900 thousand m 3, in 1995 - 800 thousand m 3, in 1996 - 500 thousand m 3, in 1997 - 331.3 thousand m 3.

Forests of the Altai Territory divided by fire hazard classes into 5 classes. TO forests Class 1 and 2 natural fire hazards mainly include band burs(middle class 1.8) and Priobsky forests(average class 2.6), in which a large number of dry coniferous plantations are concentrated forests, young coniferous trees and forest crops.

As a result of intensive use forests, especially in the Ob massifs, the area of ​​young coniferous forests has decreased, the area of ​​mature and overmature plantings has increased, and the dangerous phenomenon of replacement of coniferous species by less valuable deciduous species has emerged.