Urban forests in the city of Ivanovo

The paper deals with the issue of urban forests in the city of Ivanovo which were saved on the territories of three parks. On the basis of special studies during 2012–2018 the main types of forests have been briefly described. The data on the forest flora are presented (338 species were recorded in the park named after the 1905 Revolution, 235 – in the park named after Stepanov, 217 – in the park «Kharinka»). The forests are dominated by typical forest species, 5 rare plants preserved (Epipactis palustris, Eryngium planum, Malaxis monophyllos, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Viola selkirkii), they are included into the regional Red Data book. There are also old trees of native species. Planting trees, creating lawns and flower beds greatly enriched their flora. In general, the composition and structure of forests are disturbed, weed and ruderal alien species (groups of Acer negundo, Amelanchier spicata, Cerasus vulgaris, Cotoneaster lucidus, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Malus domestica, Sambucus racemosa, etc.) are noted. Some species (Cerasus maximowiczii, Crataegus monogyna, Padus pensylvanica, Parthenocissus inserta, Phellodendron amurense, Thladiantha dubia, Telekia speciosa) belong to the rare invasive plants of the Ivanovo Region. The parks possess the status of specially protected natural areas, they are of great environmental, ecological, scientific and aesthetic value. As a result of the territory zoning of these valuable forest areas they have been assigned to the reserves with a strict protection regime.