Geobotanical Indication of the State of Suburban Forests (an Example of Birch Grove in Akademgorodok,Krasnoyarsk)

The influence of recreation activity on grass cover was studied in a herbaceous birch forest within a territory of city development. Effects of the activity depended on size and arrangement of recreation sites. It was found that most of the forest was at the second stage of degradation, while degradation of forest edges was considered as intermediate between the second and third stages. Forest edges and glade-clump communities play a particular role in maintaining the stability of recreational forests.These ecotones are both barriers preventing introduction of alien plant species into a cenosis and centers of dissemination of ruderal and meadow species.