Assessment of landscape and recreational potential using geoinformation methods (example of central caucasus)

Abstract

The article presents the results of an integrated assessment of the landscape and recreational potential (hereinafter referred to as LPR) of the territory of the Central Caucasus using GIS technologies. Landscapes located within the Central Caucasus are of particular interest for the development of recreation and tourism. In the territory of the Central Caucasus, there has not been an assessment of the LPR of landscapes before. The process of assessing the PSR was performed using the Quantum GIS, zoning for certain types of tourism was also performed in Quantum GIS. The borders of the Central Caucasus were drawn and clarified. The displayed boundaries of groups of landscapes, which are located within the Central Caucasus. The method of assessment of landscape LPR is justified, which is based on a ball approach that allows taking into account natural resources for the development of certain types of recreation. To calculate each indicator and visualize the results of the study, the method of cartograms was used. When analyzing individual landscape components, the method of 5 km-side hexagonal operators was used. After calculating the main indicators for each polygon, we classified each component (layer) into 5 classes (points). The Jenkens natural boundary algorithm was used for classification. All evaluation factors were calculated for each operating cell. Individual components of the landscape have different significance for the development of certain types of tourism. We introduced a weighting coefficient for each landscape component and estimated its impact on a specific type of tourism. The weighting coefficient is calculated based on a survey of experts in the field of tourism and recreation. An integral assessment of the landscape and recreational potential of groups of landscapes in the Central Caucasus has been carried out, which allows us to identify zones of various degrees of favorability in the landscapes for certain types of tourism (mountaineering, trekking, rafting, and skiing). The result of the component-by-component assessment of landscapes was a combined map of landscape and recreational potential of landscape groups in the Central Caucasus. The zoning of landscapes allows us to determine the vectors of tourism development in municipalities located within the Central Caucasus, as well as depressed territories. According to the obtained data of the integrated assessment, the conclusion is made about the most promising landscapes in which it is necessary to develop various tourist destinations. The received data must be taken into account in the territorial planning documents. The selected zones in the landscapes of potential development of various types of tourism, with appropriate solutions, will create a more competitive environment in the republics of the North Caucasus