Gaby
Favorite spots for short-term relaxation among the population include forest parks, hydro-parks, meadow parks, and woodlands.
Forest parks are wooded areas that have been developed for casual short-term recreation. In these parks, visitors can take guided tours, enjoy leisurely walks, fish, ski, go sledding, and forage for berries and mushrooms.
To facilitate active forms of recreation, forest parks are equipped with sports fields, water stations, and tourist bases. Additionally, they may feature day-use guesthouses, dining facilities, and picnic areas.
Within forest parks, there are designated zones for active recreation, which are intended for walks, picnics, and sports activities, as well as quiet zones for relaxation. These areas provide a great escape regardless of the weather. On hot days, shaded and well-ventilated spots are utilized, while in cooler weather, sheltered clearings are preferred.
The most favorable landscapes for relaxation are found in enclosed spaces with deciduous pine and mixed pine forests that have horizontally spreading canopies. These areas typically experience moderate wind speeds, ample sunlight, and minimal soil heating.
Hydro-parks are characterized by numerous bodies of water, which are essential for summer recreation. Around these water bodies, zones for water sports and leisurely strolls are organized. Key features of hydro-parks include beaches, sunbathing areas, and sports facilities.
Meadow parks attract visitors with their water bodies and expansive green spaces. Various recreational activities can be organized in these parks, including walks, group games, swimming, sunbathing, and foraging for flowers and medicinal plants. In winter, meadow areas are used for skiing, while the water bodies are popular for ice fishing.
The landscape of a meadow park is conducive to various types of walks. Visitors can stroll on foot, bike, or take boat rides on the water.
To preserve unique natural complexes and utilize them for the health of workers, state natural parks are currently being established. Unlike suburban recreational areas designed for short-term leisure, natural parks are intended for educational and sports tourism and recreation. They are located far from major cities.
Such parks are characterized by specific natural resource management practices. Within their boundaries, areas are designated for strict protection, regulated access, open access, and service centers.
In the protected zone, all forms of natural resource use are prohibited. In the regulated access zone, only pedestrian tourism and non-motorized transport on designated routes are allowed. Foraging for mushrooms, berries, and medicinal herbs is not permitted. The open access zone allows for pedestrian, water, and bicycle tourism along designated paths, with stops permitted only in designated areas—shelters designed for a limited number of visitors.
Thanks to the development of motor transport, the population has gained the ability to widely visit suburban forests. This visitation is often unorganized. In areas of collective recreation, forests frequently suffer irreparable damage. However, it is well-known that vegetation is a crucial natural factor that positively impacts human health. Studies have shown that even brief periods spent among greenery significantly improve well-being.
Renowned Russian therapists G. A. Zakhar’in and S. P. Botkin acknowledged the beneficial effects of vegetation on human psyche, emotions, and mood. Under the canopy of the forest, physical and mental fatigue dissipates, and feelings of anxiety are replaced by tranquility.
The air in the forest is purified of harmful gases and dust. One hectare of green space on a summer day can absorb up to 300 kg of carbon dioxide and release 200-250 kg of oxygen. The forest air contains 300 times fewer pathogenic bacteria than urban air.
As a result of resting in the forest, the body’s thermoregulation improves, the tone of the central nervous system increases, and the processes of excitation in the cerebral cortex are enhanced, leading to deeper breathing and increased lung ventilation. Positive shifts in cardiovascular activity are also noted. Scientists believe that the beneficial effects of forest air on humans are due to volatile plant emissions (phytoncides).
By reducing air temperature and wind speed while increasing humidity, vegetation moderates the climate. The primary importance of forests in altering the physical properties and chemical composition of atmospheric air has been proven.
Therefore, the rational use of suburban forests, their preservation as self-regulating biological systems, and their role as a primary recreational resource are crucial components of state initiatives aimed at environmental protection.
The greatest damage to forests occurs due to excessive trampling of the soil, which can lead to the death or weakening of entire stands or groups of trees, making them vulnerable to harmful insects and fungal diseases.
According to researchers at the Novosibirsk Botanical Garden, when the surface layer of soil is compacted beyond a certain threshold, forest degradation begins. Early-blooming broad-leaved plants disappear, replaced by weeds, and forest growth declines. Trees become stunted, sick, and die. Such conditions typically arise when the density of visitors exceeds 10 people per hectare.
Destruction of the humus layer, compaction of the upper soil horizons, widespread proliferation of grass species, air pollution, and drastic changes in hydrological regimes significantly worsen the conditions for forest growth.
Regulating recreational pressure on suburban forests should be based on creating optimal conditions for the regeneration of green spaces, mushroom and berry resources, as well as medicinal raw materials and other resources essential for the full recreation of workers. The average norm for suburban forest areas that ensure these conditions is 6 hectares per visitor.
Observations show that a group of tourists camping in one tent can destroy and pollute over a hectare of forest land in less than a day.
To preserve the forest landscape, it is best for visitors to stay in organized areas—designated recreation spots. These areas should have good access roads. Facilities should include restrooms, trash bins, tables, benches, and shelters, as well as designated fire pits.
For overnight camping, it is advisable to use tent camps with a well-developed network of paths. These camps should provide drinking water, restrooms, cooking areas, and vehicle maintenance facilities. Such a camp can accommodate 170 visitors and 50 vehicles per day without harming the natural environment.
If visitors choose a camping spot outside of designated areas, they must take all necessary measures to minimize harm to the forest. Tents should be set up in a way that minimizes damage to trees, shrubs, grass, and moss. It is important to prepare stakes and poles in advance. Fallen dry branches from trees or shrubs (such as willow or white alder) can be used for bedding.
Special attention should be paid to fire prevention measures. A carelessly discarded cigarette butt or an unattended campfire can destroy many hectares of forest. Fires are only permitted in designated areas. If such areas are unavailable, a location far from trees and stumps should be chosen. Fires should never be lit on peat soils, as this can lead to large, difficult-to-extinguish wildfires. Before lighting a fire, it is advisable to dig up the turf in a one-meter diameter area and place it aside with the grass side down. When leaving a campsite, the fire must be doused with water, and the cooled ashes should be covered with the previously removed turf. Washing vehicles near water bodies is prohibited. Parking in unauthorized areas, cutting down trees, and polluting or littering recreation spots are punishable by law.
Tourists camping by small lakes often pollute them by washing with soap and cleaning greasy dishes. The harmful effects of this behavior are not immediately apparent. Over time, fish stocks in the water bodies decrease. Polluting water bodies with detergents is particularly harmful.
When organizing hiking trips in the forest, routes should be designed so that participants stick to paths and roads, avoiding young plantings.
The use of natural resources in our country is steadily expanding. Recreational activities are taking on various forms and types of organization, evolving into a significant social issue of national importance. The exploration of recreational resources in suburban areas for both short-term and long-term leisure continues. With the growth of cities, increased material well-being, and more free time for the population, along with the development of public and private transport, the expansion and improvement of road networks, recreational use of forests is on the rise. It is crucial to treat valuable natural resources with care. Protecting nature is a patriotic duty of every citizen.
