Abstract
The paper presents an inventory of current forest formations and a map of forest vegetation in the Moscow region. To assess current forest formations, an approach integrating both ground- and remote sensing data was applied. The transformation of forests in the Moscow region was evaluated by the criteria of changing the quality, quantity and spatial configuration of forests, in accordance with the model SLOSS (Single Large or Several Small). The conceptual model "Pressure-State-Response" (hereinafter PRS) was used to develop appropriate tools for sustainable environmental management in the region. The use of this model made it possible not only to assess the state of forests but also to determine the main impacts affecting them, as well as the effectiveness of measures aimed at optimizing environmental management regimes in order to maintain forest biodiversity. Complex assessment of sets of indicators for each group of PRS criteria is performed for the integrated multicriteria assessment of sustainable forest management within the boundaries of urban districts. The average normalized score was calculated for each group of criteria. Correlation between the scores of the groups of criteria evaluated and classification of administrative units according to the ratio of groups of the K-means method criteria performed. As a result of component-by-component evaluation, the values of indicators are presented in form of tables and map сharts. Benchmarking of Specially Protected Natural Area (SPNA) system and reforestation activities is performed regarding to the forest biodiversity conservation in the urban districts. It is shown that single integrated assessment of the ecological value of the territory (the "State" criterion), an integrated assessment of impact factors (the "Load") and appropriate actions to maintain forest biodiversity (the "Response" criterion) can be considered as an expression of generalized information directly used in decision-making and assessment of current trends for a particular region.
Highlights
The problem of a sustainable combination of anthropogenic activities with the environment for the Moscow region is extremely urgent
Forest ecosystems of the Moscow region have been affected by deep anthropogenic transformations since the 16th century, and the decline in the quality of forest cover in the region occurred in all directions with different intensity for different periods of its history
Today’s forests in the Moscow region are distinguished by a number of features: a significant recreational pressure due to the high population density; limited purpose use of forests; poor sanitary condition and unstable ecological situation caused by a lack of regulatory sanitary measures
Summary
The problem of a sustainable combination of anthropogenic activities with the environment for the Moscow region is extremely urgent. The transformation of forests in conditions of long-term economic impact in accordance with the SLOSS model (Single Large or Several Small) occurs in different directions (Diamond 1975; Ovaskainen 2002; Ovaskainen 2012) (Fig 1). Forest ecosystems of the Moscow region have been affected by deep anthropogenic transformations since the 16th century, and the decline in the quality of forest cover in the region occurred in all directions with different intensity for different periods of its history. Active economy, including widespread forest plantation practice, has significantly changed the ecological and coenotic range of zonal coniferous and broad-leaved forest communities. Today’s forests in the Moscow region are distinguished by a number of features: a significant recreational pressure due to the high population density; limited purpose use of forests (in accordance with the Forest Code of the Russian Federation forests belong to the protection group); poor sanitary condition and unstable ecological situation caused by a lack of regulatory sanitary measures
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