The environmental monitoring at “Psehako” ski complex is organized on 5 permanent sample areas occurring in different forest types. Assessments are made twice a year. These sample areas encompass: 1. Riparian alder forest 2. Mixed oak forest 3. Mixed hornbeam forest 4. Mixed beech-chestnut forest 5. Mixed beech-fir forest.

The vital state of trees recorded during the reporting period (autumn 2013) was as follows

Riparian alder forest (sample area #1)

In the forest the predominant species are speckled alder and goat willow, with some sweet chestnut, common hornbeam and oriental beech.
During the reporting period (autumn 2013) the vital state of trees remained stable and rated as level 2 - weakened forest. There are leaves damaged by insects, scorch and spotting. Drying branches and stagheadedness was observed in sweet chestnut trees. Beech leaves frequently have galls.
The undergrowth is dense. The projective cover of the undergrowth is 65%. The undergrowth is slightly damaged by insects and scorch. The undergrowth is made of speckled alder and goat willow, with some common hornbeam.

Mixed oak forest (sample area #2)

The forest is made of Georgian oak and sweet chestnut, with considerable proportion of oriental beech.
The vital state of trees is getting low and now rated as level 2 – the forest is weakened. Leaves damaged by multiple insects and scorch, beech leaves show galls. As of today, the overall canopy is damaged by 30 %.
The undergrowth is established, of high density, occasionally damaged by insects and scorch, beech leaves show galls in small amount. It is represented by oriental beech, Georgian oak and sweet chestnut. The projective cover of the undergrowth is 65%.

Mixed hornbeam forest (sample area #3)

The predominant species in the forest is hornbeam with some proportion of Georgian oak and sweet chestnut. Oriental beech and speckled alder occur sporadically.
The vital state of trees is rated as level 3 - the forest is disturbed. Leaves are heavily damaged by insects and spotting, galls are abundant on oriental beech trees. Chestnut crowns show drying of main branches and top drying. Canopy is sparse.
Natural reproduction is represented by the undergrowth of sweet chestnut, oriental beech and common hornbeam. The predominant species is sweet chestnut. The undergrowth is established and dense, with leaves damaged by insects and spotting. The undergrowth is dense, with the projective cover 65%.

Mixed beech-chestnut forest (sample area #4)

The forest is made of sweet chestnut and oriental beech, with significant proportion of Norwegian maple, sycamore maple and common hornbeam.
The vital state of trees (autumn 2013) is deteriorating and is now rated at level 3 –the forest is disturbed. Chestnut trees continue showing dying branches, with more dry branches in the crown. The earlier monitoring results pointed to drying branches occasionally, but today more than 40% of chestnut tress have dying branches. Some trees show stagheadedness. Oriental beech leaves are heavily damaged by galls, and leaves of all trees are damaged by insects and scorch, and maple leaves are more affected by spotting. Generally tree crowns are damaged by 45-50%.
The undergrowth is equally represented by oriental beech, common hornbeam and sweet chestnut. Regeneration involves oriental beech, common hornbeam and sweet chestnut. The undergrowth is established, with sporadic damage by insects and galls (beech). The projective cover of the undergrowth is 65%.

Mixed beech-fir forest (sample area #5)

The predominant species on this sample area is Nordmann fir, oriental beech and sycamore maples, with some trembling poplar and redwood maple.
During the reporting period (autumn 2013) the vital state of trees was deteriorating and is now rated as level 3-4 - the forest stand is severely disturbed. Nordmann fir trees in the center of the sample area show extensive brown discoloring and needle fall, its branches and shoots are drying. The canopy of maple and oriental beech are damaged by insects and scorch. The overall canopy damage has increased to 55-60 %.
The undergrowth is sparse, not more than 5% projective cover. The undergrowth is represented by Nordmann fir and trembling poplar, 2 m high. The Nordmann fir undergrowth in the center of the sample area is not established, drying, its needles are brown and fall. On the edge of this sample area the undergrowth is established, no signs of diseases and damage. The trembling poplar undergrowth shows some signs of spotting.the sampling are is overgrown with Caucasian bilberry.

Thus the vital state of trees on the territory of the “Psehako” ski complex is deteriorating, which is a result of continuing human-induced stress and adverse weather conditions with a lot of rainfall and abrupt temperature jumps. It needs to be noted that healthy trees are not so much affected by adverse weather. Here we see negative impact of natural factors on weakened and damaged trees, the resistance of which is decreasing.

The environmental monitoring at “Psehako” ski complex is based on using permanent sample areas, with assessments made twice a year. There are 5 sample areas covering the following forest types: riparian alder; mixed oak forest; mixed hornbeam forest; mixed beech-chestnut forest; and mixed beech - fir forest. In the reporting period (first half of 2013) the vital state of trees was as follows:

Riparian alder (sample area #1)

In the forest stand the predominant are speckled alder and goat willow, with some sweet chestnut, common hornbeam and oriental beech. The vital state of the trees remains stable and rated as level 2 - weakened forest. There are leaves damaged by insects and scorch, spotting. Some of the trees have dry tops. The undergrowth is established, high density, no signs of diseases or damage. The projective cover of the undergrowth is 65%.

Mixed oak forest (sample area #2)

The forest is made of Georgian oak and sweet chestnut, with considerable proportion of oriental beech. The vital state of the trees is stable and rated as level 1 - healthy stand. Leaves damaged by insects only slightly, galls occur on beech occasionally. The overall canopy damage is no more than 10 %. The undergrowth is established, high density, no signs of diseases or damage.

Mixed hornbeam forest (sample area #3)

The predominant species in the forest is hornbeam with some proportion of Georgian oak and sweet chestnut. Oriental beech and speckled alder occur sporadically. The vital state of the trees is rated as level 3- the forest stand is disturbed. The leaves are heavily damaged by insects and spotting, galls are abundant on oriental beech trees. Chestnut shows separate drying tops and branches. The vital state of common hornbeam has improved slightly, there are no dry branches in canopy. Yet the hornbeam canopy is sparse and the trees are weakened.

The undergrowth is represented by sweet chestnut, with sporadic common hornbeam and oriental beech. The undergrowth is established and dense, with some leaves damaged by insects and spotting.

Mixed beech-chestnut forest (sample area #4)

The forest is made of oriental beech and sweet chestnut with common hornbeam, Norwegian maple and sycamore maple. The vital state of the trees remains stable and rated as level 2 - leaves are damaged by insects and spotting. Some chestnut trees have dry branches in the middle of canopy. The overall canopy damage is up to 30 % The undergrowth is established, with sporadic damage by insects and galls (beech). The projective cover of the undergrowth is 65%.

Mixed beech-fir forest (sample area #5)

On this sample area the predominant species is Nordmann fir, oriental beech and sycamore maples, with some trembling poplar and redwood maple. The vital state of the trees is rated as level 3- the forest stand is disturbed. In the center of the sample area extensive brown discoloring and needle fall is observed for Nordmann fir, branches and shoots are drying. The canopy of deciduous trees are damaged by insects and spotting, galls occur on oriental beech. The overall canopy damage is up to 35-40 %. It should be stressed that on the edge of the sample area with plenty of light the vital state of fir is improving – abundant growth, no drying branches and brown needles.

The undergrowth is sparse, not more than 5% projective cover / the undergrowth is represented by Nordmann fir and trembling poplar, generally is established with sporadic damage of aspen leaves by spotting. The underwood is dense and well developed and represented by Caucasian bilberry up to 1 m high.

Thus the vital state of the trees on the territory of the “Psehako ski” complex remains stable. Nevertheless, there is clearly deterioration in the vital state of sweet chestnut displayed by spotting damage, drying of branches and tops, which suggests reduced resistance of the species to diseases and adverse environmental factors. There is no positive dynamics in the state of the Normann fir either.

Monitoring at ski complex “Psehako ridge” is based on the preconstruction monitoring in 2007-2012 providing insight into the state of major natural sites here. Coordination of integrated environmental monitoring activities is provided by the scientific department of the Sochi National Park. The forested areas on the territory of the ski complex show broad biodiversity and are of great biological and ecological value.

The key forest-forming species, such as oriental beech, sweet chestnut and Georgian oak are not only of economic value, but also provide food for many populations of wild animals.

In 2012 the state of the forest on the monitoring plots used for forest health monitoring was as follows:

Riparian alder (sample area #1)

Riparian alders belong to forests most resistant to human-induced impact. On the sample area this forest is represented by speckled alder and goat willow, with sweet chestnut, oriental beech and hornbeam. The survey of the forest has shown that its status is stable, in general, corresponds to the 2nd level (slightly damaged forest). Canopy spareness in hornbeam, galls on beech leaves and leaf spots in speckled alder were noted.

Mixed oak forest (sample area #2)

Forest on the sample area is equally made of valuable species: Georgian oak and sweet chestnut, with considerable proportion of less valuable wood - oriental beech. In the previous monitoring period, the status of the forest was at level 1. By now, the status has changed and is in keeping with 2nd level. A number of adverse changed were recorded. Chestnut and oak trees show a lot of stripping, leaf spots and scorch; higher occurrence of galls is noted for beech leaves.

In the previous period the vital condition of the forest stands were characterized by excellent indexes and was at level 1. By today the phytosanitary condition decreased significantly and at level 2. A number of adverse changes were recorded. Chestnut and oak leaves are much more damaged by insects, leaf spots and scorch are noted and beech leaves are more frequently damaged by galls.

Mixed hornbeam forest (sample area #3)

The predominant species in the forest is hornbeam with some proportion of sweet chestnut, oriental beech, Georgian oak and speckled alder. The forest stands on the sample area are weakened, damaged by insects, and beech leaves have galls. Thus the forest is getting weaker, though the condition level remains to be 3 (strongly weakened forest)

Mixed beech-chestnut forest (sample area #4)

Oriental beech and sweet chestnut are predominant with significant proportion of hornbeam, Norewgain maple and sycamore maple. In autumn-winter 2012 damage by insects, spots and galls (for beech) have increased. This is indicative of weakening and lower resistance to pests and diseases. Nevertheless the forest condition is assessed by level 2 – forest trees are weakened.

Mixed beech-fir forest (sample area #5)

On this sample area the predominant species are Caucasian fir, oriental beech and sycamore maples, with some redwood maple and trembling poplar. The vital condition in autumn-winter 2012 corresponded to level 3-4 (severely weakened and drying trees). The forest stands are disturbed and damaged by diseases. This firs tof all applies to Caucasian fir – brown and yellow discoloring of needles and drying shoots are observed. Beech leaves are damaged by galls, also leaves are spotty and damaged by insects.

More attention should be given to forest site factors. Improving the microclimate and hydrological conditions and reducing anthropogenic stress (including construction machinery) should lead to stabilization of forest condition and in most cases their vital conditions may improve.

On the territory of the ski complex there are 4 permanent sample areas in the following forests 1. Mixed beech forest; 2.Mixed hornbeam forest ; 3.Mixed beech-chestnut forest; 4. Mixed beech-fir forest.

In the reporting period the forest condition at the JSC“Gazprom” ski complex was subject to negative changes. The phytosanitary situation became worse only by the upper border of the forest – in the mixed beech -fir forest where the state of forest stands was seen to deteriorate, as well as on other sample areas comprising hornbeam. It should be stressed that the phytosanitary state of hornbeam is declining widely.

On the territory of the ski complex the most vulnerable is the mixed forest by the top border of the forest (area 4) with predominant beech and fir trees. The phytosanitary state of the forest on this area is assessed as level 3 (drying forest) - the forest is damaged significantly. The ongoing processes include branch drying, red and yellow discoloring and death of needles on Caucasian fir, the beech leaves are damaged by insects, drying trees are noted.

The phytosanitary state: 1 level – normal forest, 2 level- weakened forest,
3 level- drying forest, 4 level – seriously damaged forest

On the territory of the ski complex there are 5 permanent sample areas in the following forests: 1. Riparian alder; 2.Mixed beech forest; 3.Mixed hornbeam forest ; 4.Mixed beech-chestnut forest; 5. Mixed beech-fir forest.
During 2007-2010 there were no major adverse changes on samples areas 1-4 resulting from anthropogenic stress.

On the territory of the ski complex the most vulnerable is the mixed forest by the top border of the forest (area 5) with predominant fir trees. The phytosanitary state of the forest on this area is assessed as level 3 (drying forest) - the forest is damaged significantly. The recorded processes include branch drying, red and yellow discoloring and death of needles on Caucasian fir, beech leaves are damaged by insects, drying trees are noted. The undergrowth is scarce and represented by Caucasian fir and trembling poplar. The fir undergrowth is fickle, subject to brown discoloring and needs death.

The phytosanitary state: 1 level – normal forest, 2 level- weakened forest,
3 level- drying forest, 4 level – seriously damaged forest