RESISTANCE POTENTIAL OF FORESTS AND INTEGRATED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION-SYSTEMS

The resistance potential of forest stands against natural harmful fact ors is determined by: the degree of forest site pertinence of the tree species composition, the stand spatial structure and the sanitary quo tient of a stand. The basic unit for ascertaining of it is a stand, wh ich does not provide sufficient information in a mountain environment. Several hazard rating systems, based on similar principles as the res istance potential of forest stands, have been developed in the United States, Canada and Russia. Some use information obtained by remote sen sing or integrated geographic information systems. Mapping the indicat ors of resistance potential of forests is possible at classification u nits smaller than stands. It is concluded that creation of the maps of the resistance potential of forests is possible. Combining informatio n obtained by remote sensing with available maps and from other data s ources in integrated geographic information systems would probably be the best way.