ИСТИНА

The aim of the report is to describe the mountain grasslands of intermontane basins of Central Caucasus, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, and reveal the role of land use transformation in their current change. 1. In the middle mountains of the Northern Caucasus regeneration of natural boundaries of altitude zones is observed: the expansion of mountain-forest belt and restoration of pine forests on the southern slopes; restoration of mountain meadow steppe meadows on former agricultural terraces; northern slopes overgrown with elfin birch woods. 2. These processes occur in the context of climate change (rising temper-atures, increasing moisture) and reduce of human impact. 3. Thus, climate change and weakening economic activity on the territory lead to restoration of vegetation in the area of middle mountains. 4. The natural and climatic conditions create favorable conditions for sustainable development in mountain areas of North Ossetia. The basis of sustainable development nowadays is the creation of national parks, nature trails and restoration of tourist routes.