STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS OF HIGH ALTITUDINAL FORESTS IN CENTRAL ALTAI MOUNTAINS
Structure of high altitudinal forests in Central Altai Mountains is specific. The upper forest line is mainly formed by Siberian stone pine. Open woodlands in 2150-2350 m a.s.l. consist of the young growth. The altitude degreases, the tree diameter and height increases, the age forest structure complicates, and amplitudes of the main forest inventory parameters increase. In the lower altitudes (the larch belt) the age forest structure simplifies and magnitudes of the main forest inventory parameters decrease. Thus, the Siberian stone pine limit extends up to the forest limit and down to the larch forest belt.