Assessment of natural regeneration in recreational pine forests in the western part of the forest park green belt in Krasnoyarsk

The object of this study is recreational pine forests in the subtaiga region of the Krasnoyarsk forest park greenbelt, Krasnoyarsk region. The aim of the research is to assess the natural regeneration of these forests. Twelve dimensionless test sites (PPs) were established along an unmarked transect line, with six PPs in the pine forest on the left bank of the Yenisei River and six on the right bank. In these trial areas, recreational disturbance to the plantings was measured using the transect method, and the undergrowth was counted according to the guidelines set out in the current Reforestation Rules. When processing and analysing the undergrowth data, we followed the provisions of the Reforestation Regulations, and assessed the relationship between the analysed indicators using the non-parametric Spearman correlation coefficient. The main indicators of a healthy undergrowth are identified: size structure (proportion of small, medium, and large plants), species composition, density, and distribution. Differences in the process of reforestation in the sub-taiga pine forests on the left and right banks are revealed due to the proximity to plantations in the forest-steppe and mountain taiga zones, respectively. A significant correlation has been established between the abundance of pine seedlings in the left bank pine forests, their distribution (pattern of placement), and the level of human disturbance of plantations. The success of natural regeneration is assessed, and measures to enhance the reforestation capacity of recreational pine forests are proposed.