Scientific publications

The results of a comprehensive survey of the Valuevsky urban forest and the adjacent old parks Meshkovo and Valuevo, situated in the Novomoskovsky Administrative District (Moscow), are presented. The plant cover is represented by broadleaved-spruce (34 %), linden (20 %) and secondary small-leaved forests (46 %). As Moscow was expanded in 2012, the forest fund lands concerned were given the status of a specially protected urban green area. This status, unlike that of a protected area (PA), envisages hardly any provisions for protection and cannot secure the preservation of unique forest and park communities under “rapid urbanization”. Floristic, geobotanical, lichenological, mycological and ornithological studies in the Valuevsky urban forest allowed assessing the species richness and identifying the best preserved and biologically most valuable areas – habitats of rare and red-listed species. In addition, some information is given on the presence of red-listed species belonging to other groups. In total, 5 species listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation, 19 species – in the Red Data Book of the Moscow Region, 113 species – in the Red Data Book of the City of Moscow were found in the territory. The 3rd edition of the Moscow City Red Data Book was complemented with 2 species of vascular plants, 11 species of fungi, 2 species of myxomycetes and 11 species of birds based on the results of findings in the Valuevsky urban forest. Remote sensing data and Valuevsky urban forest management inventory materials were used to map the main types of forest communities. This map is used to determine the habitat affiliations of rare species and to outline the areas in need of stricter protection. Proceeding from the results of the studies, it can be recommended that a PA with the landscape reserve status is established within grid units 3–20, 22–24 of the Valuevsky urban forest, adjacent areas of the former Meshkovo and Valuevo estates, as well as in the Likova River valley, from Meshkovo Village to Valuevo Village.