Page 27 - Pelc, Stanko, and Miha Koderman, eds., 2016. Regional development, sustainability, and marginalization. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
P. 27
moisture are the limiting factors of the existence of vegetation. 2016 conference of igu commission 25
The estimate of changes in heat and humidity was made for the ter-
ritory of the North Caucasus, using the vegetation index (NDVI),
the index of vegetation conditions (VCI), the Satellite Climatic Ex-
tremes Index (SCEI) and the sum of active temperatures (air tem-
perature above + 10 °C). Analysis of index changes shows normal
humidification on the slopes of the main Caucasian ridge through-
out the more humid period (2000–2006). In the second dry period
(2007–2013), the situation changed for most of southern European
Russia. In the foothills, moisture decreased, whereas in the middle
mountains an increase of moisture was observed. The estimate of
the amount of active temperatures and precipitation for the peri-
od of modern warming reflects an increase of these parameters in
the early 21st century in the foothills of the North Caucasus. Meth-
ods of remote sensing and mapping of vegetation indexes (VCI,
NDVI, SCEI) prove that there is a trend to humidity increase from
the beginning of the 21st century in the studied altitudinal belts.
Now, in the central mountains of the North Caucasus, a regener-
ation of natural boundaries of altitude zones is observed: the ex-
pansion of the mountain-forest belt and restoration of pine forests
on the southern slopes; restoration of mountain meadow steppe
and steppe sub-alpine meadows on former agricultural terraces;
northern slopes overgrown with elfin birch woods. These process-
es occur in the context of climate change (rising temperatures, in-
creasing moisture) and reduce human impact. Thus the vegetation
of intermountain basins is restored under the unidirectional influ-
ence of climate and socio-economic changes. Thus, the natural and
climatic conditions create favourable conditions for sustainable de-
velopment in the mountain areas of North Ossetia. The main do-
main of sustainable development is currently the creation of na-
tional parks, nature trails and restoration of tourist routes.
Key words: mountain regions, sustainable development, climate
change, vegetation indices
The estimate of changes in heat and humidity was made for the ter-
ritory of the North Caucasus, using the vegetation index (NDVI),
the index of vegetation conditions (VCI), the Satellite Climatic Ex-
tremes Index (SCEI) and the sum of active temperatures (air tem-
perature above + 10 °C). Analysis of index changes shows normal
humidification on the slopes of the main Caucasian ridge through-
out the more humid period (2000–2006). In the second dry period
(2007–2013), the situation changed for most of southern European
Russia. In the foothills, moisture decreased, whereas in the middle
mountains an increase of moisture was observed. The estimate of
the amount of active temperatures and precipitation for the peri-
od of modern warming reflects an increase of these parameters in
the early 21st century in the foothills of the North Caucasus. Meth-
ods of remote sensing and mapping of vegetation indexes (VCI,
NDVI, SCEI) prove that there is a trend to humidity increase from
the beginning of the 21st century in the studied altitudinal belts.
Now, in the central mountains of the North Caucasus, a regener-
ation of natural boundaries of altitude zones is observed: the ex-
pansion of the mountain-forest belt and restoration of pine forests
on the southern slopes; restoration of mountain meadow steppe
and steppe sub-alpine meadows on former agricultural terraces;
northern slopes overgrown with elfin birch woods. These process-
es occur in the context of climate change (rising temperatures, in-
creasing moisture) and reduce human impact. Thus the vegetation
of intermountain basins is restored under the unidirectional influ-
ence of climate and socio-economic changes. Thus, the natural and
climatic conditions create favourable conditions for sustainable de-
velopment in the mountain areas of North Ossetia. The main do-
main of sustainable development is currently the creation of na-
tional parks, nature trails and restoration of tourist routes.
Key words: mountain regions, sustainable development, climate
change, vegetation indices
