Economic Evaluation of Alternatives for the Use of Forest Resources

Abstract

The article considers traditional and alternative (ecosystem) forms of use of forest resources on the lands of the forest fund. A variety of soil and climatic conditions, land categories and forest protection create prerequisites for various forms of forest management and the implementation of ecosystem projects in the country's forest fund. The necessity of a comprehensive economic assessment of forest resources in order to stimulate the development of new types of business and territories has been proved. Ecosystem services of the forest are proposed to be considered as the first priority in matters of economic evaluation of forest resources and payments for forest use. To organize the multifunctional use of forests, quantitative assessments of the potential of climate-oriented activities (forest climate projects) in regional forestry systems are required. In the context of federal districts, there is a significant differentiation in terms of the level of investment attractiveness of forest lands suitable for the implementation of forest climate projects for the creation of carbon sequestering plantations. Within the framework of such projects, it becomes possible not only to expand the reproduction of forest resources, including improving the condition and species composition of forests, but also to generate investment income in the form of carbon units produced on carbon markets. The southern and southeastern regions of the country have the greatest potential for the implementation of climate projects related to afforestation and reforestation.