LANDSCAPE CHARACTERISTICS OF URBAN FORESTS IN ROSTOV-ON-DON

The study of the composition of urban forest plantations in order to increase their productivity is one of the important tasks of forestry. The Rostov region belongs to the sparsely forested area (the forest cover of the territory is only 2.5%), the main part of the plantations (70%) is artificial forests. Taking into account the pace of urbanization, as well as the development of industry and agriculture in a million-plus city, urban forests not only perform the most important sanitary and hygienic functions (protection from wind and dust, noise reduction, soil protection from erosion processes, etc.), but also recreational facility for local residents. To conduct research, we used methods generally accepted in taxation, and the processing and analysis of the results obtained were carried out using the methods of mathematical statistics. This article presents a landscape characteristic of urban forest plantations in Rostov-on-Don: Shchepkinsky forest and Aviator Park. The taxation description of forest stands by sections is given. We determined the composition of plantations and identified the predominant tree and shrub species. The distribution of urban forests by land categories is presented: forest lands covered by forests and not covered by forests, as well as non-forest lands. We have classified plantings into groups: coniferous, hard-leaved and soft-leaved, as well as into age groups (young stands, pole stands, middle-aged, maturing, ripe, overmature). Most of the stands are deciduous species in the growth retardation stage with an age of about 70 years. Analysis of the obtained data shows that in the urban forests of Rostov-on-Don there is a lack of species diversity of tree and shrub vegetation, mainly coniferous plantations, as well as the introduction of introduced flora of both trees and shrubs. For the sustainable development of forest stands, landscape felling and mass planting of young stands are required.