ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF FORESTS ON AGRICULTURAL LANDS, DETERMINATION OF PARAMETERS AND AREA OF FORESTS USING A TEST SITE IN THE UDMURT REPUBLIC

Abstract

Controversial issues related to the use, conservation, protection, and restoration of forests growing on agricultural lands are increasingly emerging in Russia and its constituent entities. Currently, such areas, although occupied by trees and shrubs visually resembling forest plantations, lack the independent legal status of forests. This gives rise to numerous practical and legal problems related to the use of the land plots on which such plantations grow, the uncertainty of their status, and, consequently, the insecurity of the rights of land users and landowners on such plots. Therefore, this paper examines the methodological imperfections of the approach to assessing the parameters of forest stands on agricultural lands that allow them to be classified as forests. A review of the regulatory framework establishing the categories for classifying tree stands as forests is provided. Criteria for assessing the parameters of forest stands on agricultural lands are developed. A methodology for classifying vegetation on such land plots has been developed and proposed. This methodology, using additional qualitative and quantitative indicators for assessing forest stands, allows for the recognition of tree and shrub vegetation on agricultural land as forest.