Geoecological Approaches to the Recreational Development of Avalanche Mountain Territories

Abstract

The article describes the principles of building a " simulation model "of mountain avalanche recreational region on the example of the Central Caucasus:the Northern slope, the ski resort" Prielbrusye", Russia. Its construction is based on the geo-ecological approach, i.e. assessment of not only geographical but also ecological component of the natural environment. The model is done based on the principles developed by the International Institute of applied systems analysis. The model has a block structure-4 blocks: 1) demand for recreational facilities, 2) population growth and economic development, 3) changes in the environment and the national economy; 4) control over the development and use of the territory. Moreover, in the first block the demand is limited by the presence of particularly protected natural areas(National Park "Prielbrusye"), and in 2–nd and 4-nd – by activation of avalanche activity. In General, the main limiting factors are ecological problems, arising from the development of high vulnerability and low resistance to anthropogenic impact of mountain areas. To maintain the positive trends in the development of this mountain region, it is necessary to solve a number of socio-economic and environmental problems. We have considered two of them, the most relevant for the region: alternative energy and anti-avalanche measures.