RECREATIONAL ATTRACTIVENESS OF SPRINGS HAVING PROSPECTS FOR INCLUSION IN THE REGIONAL NETWORK OF PROTECTED AREAS (THE CASE OF THE NOVOOSKOLSKY DISTRICT OF BELGOROD OBLAST)

Abstract

The study deals with the problem of improving the network of specially protected natural areas of Belgorod Oblast and justifies the prospects for referring local springs to the category of natural monuments of regionalsignificance. The aim was to determine the recreational attractiveness of the springs in the Novooskolsky District ofBelgorod Oblast that appear to have prospects for being classified as natural monuments of regional significance. Currently, there are no natural springs of regional significance in the area. The study employed a variety of methods: expeditions, surveys, description, measurement, cartographic and mathematical-statistical methods, comparative analysis.There were used methodologies intended for determining the compliance of springs with the criteria for natural monuments of regional significance, recreational assessment of springs, evaluation of landscape expressiveness and recreational attractiveness of springs. Among the springs of the region were identified seven objects with properties that can beregarded as characteristic of natural monuments. However, for some of them, degradation phenomena (decrease in theproduction rate) were noted. A detailed examination made it possible to single out a group of three springs that fully meetthe criteria of natural monuments in terms of either environmental value or cultural (religious or historical) value. Thesesprings are characterized by medium landscape expressiveness, medium or high recreational rating, and medium recreational attractiveness. Such springs can be used in tourist and recreational activities, but the problem is that they requiresignificant investments. The sanitary-ecological condition of the springs makes the main contribution to the assessmentof their recreational attractiveness. In terms of natural and cultural-educational attractiveness, infrastructure, and improvements made, these springs are not characterized by high ratings. The study established a close relationship between twoparameters: recreational assessment and the level of recreational attractiveness of springs.