CENTRE ON THE PROBLEMS OF ECOLOGY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF FORESTS

RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

Arkhipova M.V. Change in the forest area of Central Russian Upland during the last 250 years // Forest Science (Lesovedenie). 2014. No 3. С.23-30.

Based on the historical maps of 18-20th centuries and the recent satellite imagery the percent forest cover changes were studied within the range of zones of broadleaved forests and forest-steppe of Central Russian Upland. Distribution of forests at the Upland territory during the last 250 years is relatively stable, with minor trend to decrease of the forest area. Herewith the regional forest changes were observed. The highest rates of deforestation takes place around the forest abatis of 16-17th centuries, where the changes of 18-20th centuries allow modeling of the forest cover of Central Russian Upland in the beginning of the active land use. Forest restoration was observed in the basin of the upstreams of Oka River during the last 100 years.

Percent forest cover, forest dynamics, Central Russian Upland, human impact.

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