Recreational Assessment of Green Belt Forests of the City of Ulaanbaatar

The classification of forest vegetation of the Tuul river basin within the green belt of the Ulaanbaatar city has been carried out. Two associations (Linnaeo borealis–Pinetum sibiricae and Vaccinio vitis-idaeae–Laricetum sibiricae) relating to Vaccinio–Piceetea are described. Diagnostic signs and characteristics of the ecological and geographical peculiarities of the units are presented, and anthropogenic transformation is assessed. To determine the models of succession processes, the series of permanent sample plots (PSPs) are established in the communities of the Linnaeo borealis-Pinetum sibiricae association, located at different distances from the city, in taxation units with unequal intensity of recreational load. Recreational forest assessment is calculated according to the approach by V.S. Romanov and L.N. Rozhkov (1974). In the Linnaeo borealis-Pinetum sibiricae association, large areas are occupied by moderately transformed communities. The Vaccinio vitis-idaeae–Laricetum sibiricae association is characterized by being weakly transformed forests. Different stages of anthropogenic pressure lead to the formation of serial communities unequal in structure and species diversity. Serial plant communities of allogeneic succession develop according to two models of geitogenesis: tolerance (Linnaeo borealis-Pinetum sibiricae ↔ Rhytidium rugosum; Linnaeo borealis-Pinetum sibiricae ↔ Chamaenerion angustifolium) and inhibition (Linnaeo borealis-Pinetum sibiricae → Betula rotundifolia). The comprehensive assessment of the recreational potential is based on three indicators: natural conditions, air hygiene, and landscaping. All activities aimed at increasing the recreational potential should contribute to the improvement of these indicators. A prerequisite for increasing the recreational forest assessment should be functional zoning of the territory with the allocation of infrastructure, walking, and sanitary protective zones. Forest management is of great importance in increasing the recreational assessment of forests. The forest management project for the organization of recreational forests should be aimed at the formation of sustainable and aesthetically attractive forest plantations.