MONITORING FOREST ECOSYSTEMS IN THE INFLUENCE ZONE OF HIGHWAYS

Statement of the problem. These days we cannot do without evaluating the effect the highway construction has on the environment. The influence of highways on forests is hard to evaluate in experiments or modeling, therefore obtaining credible information on changes occurring in forests under the influence of highways is possible provided there is ongoing observation (monitoring).Results. Based on experimental studies, a complex approach to studying the influence of highways on soil and plant environments of near-highway strips was set forth. The observation was carried out on plants that are a critical component of the biosphere and snow cover as well. Plants are crucial to determining the influence and snow cover is crucial to determining its scope.Conclusions. The suggested method of creating a system of constant observation site that is part of more complex, “key” areas with further systematic and complex observation allows for an ob-jective evaluation of the influences of the road and transport complex on a degree of contamination of ecosystems of near-highway strips, also to forecast scopes of environmentally challenged near-highway areas and to perform environmental regulation of the effect transport has on forests.