System of ecological certification of plants and natural zones

System of ecological certification of plants and natural zones

Obtaining a permanent passport upon reaching the age of 16

As part of the long-term program for the restoration of degraded lands, it is envisaged to create a unified certification system:

individual long-lived trees;

groups of trees and plant communities;

natural and restoration zones;

forest areas;

forest-steppe;

forest gardens;

aquatic and humid ecosystems;

remediation territories;

seed groves;

old-aged natural cores.

A permanent ecological passport is assigned to a plant or natural zone.after reaching the age of 16 years or after 16 years of continuous observation and stable development.

The sixteen-year mark is seen as a transition from the stage of formation to the stage of confirmed viability.

By this time, it will be possible to more reliably estimate:

survival rate;

resistance to local climate;

condition of the root system;

growth rate;

crown shape;

disease resistance;

participation in nature education;

interaction with other species;

ability to naturally renew;

ecological value;

the need for special security.

1. Two levels of registration

Pre-registration

Each planted tree, plant group or created natural zone is registered from the moment:

landings;

sowing;

the beginning of natural recovery;

official inclusion of the territory in the program.

The object receives a temporary identification number and a preliminary digital card.

It records:

date of landing or start of observation;

view;

variety or origin;

source of seeds or seedlings;

coordinates;

appointment;

soil condition;

information about water;

work performed;

photographs;

responsible operator.

The preliminary card accompanies the property for the first 16 years.

Permanent environmental passport

After a sixteen-year period, a comprehensive examination is carried out.

If a plant or zone has been confirmed to be resistant, it is assigned:

permanent registration number;

ecological status;

category of natural value;

further control mode;

digital passport;

entry in the long-term register DREVO.

The passport is retained throughout the entire life cycle of the object.

2. Why was the age of 16 chosen?

Sixteen years is a long enough period for a plant or habitat to go through several critical cycles:

dry years;

wet seasons;

severe frosts;

periods of heat;

pest outbreaks;

competition with neighboring plants;

soil change;

restructuring of the root space;

the beginning of the formation of stable connections with fungi and microorganisms.

For fast-growing species, 16 years allows us to assess their mature function.

For long-lived trees—oak, linden, maple, ash, cedar pine, and others—this is still a young stage, but already sufficient for confirmation:

the correct choice of location;

viability;

quality of origin;

long-term conservation prospects;

roles in the future timber frame.

Turning 16 doesn't mean the end of observation. It marks the transition to permanent status.

3. Passport of an individual plant

An individual passport is primarily assigned to:

long-lived nature-forming trees;

mother plants;

rare species;

valuable local forms;

seed trees;

historically and culturally significant plants;

plants with exceptional resistance;

trees that have survived a fire, drought, or other significant event;

outstanding fruit and nut specimens.

Basic information

4. Plant categories after certification

Category A – nature-forming tree

This includes viable specimens of long-lived species that form the future basis of the territory:

oak;

linden;

maple;

ash tree;

beech;

elm;

cedar pine;

chestnut;

walnut;

other regionally significant species.

Such trees receive priority protection.

They should not be removed just for the sake of:

expansion of the economic zone;

short-term yield increase;

simplification of mechanized maintenance;

replacement with a faster-growing crop.

Category B - seed or mother plant

The plant showed:

good stability;

healthy development;

high-quality fruiting;

compliance with local conditions;

valuable genetics.

Its seeds, cuttings, layers or grafting material are used for further propagation.

Category C - ecosystem valuable plant

The object is especially important for:

pollinators;

birds;

mushrooms;

soil formations;

water regime;

wind protection;

slope strengthening;

formation of microclimate.

Category D - productive plant of the forest garden

The plant has confirmed food or economic value:

bears fruit steadily;

produces high-quality seeds;

has a stable yield;

does not create excessive competition;

safe to use.

Category R — remedial plant

The plant operates in polluted areas and performs the following functions:

phytostabilization;

phytoextraction;

soil stabilization;

water purification;

preventing dusting.

Its biomass is accounted for separately and is not allowed into the food or feed cycle.

Category N - Observed plant

The plant survived, but has not yet demonstrated sufficient resilience or value. Its passport is being given a temporarily restricted status, pending a re-evaluation.

5. Natural zone passport

A natural zone receives a passport not only based on its age, but also after its ecological sustainability has been confirmed.

The following are eligible for certification:

area of ​​young forest;

forest-steppe zone;

meadow;

lick;

natural grove;

wetland zone;

coastal strip;

anti-erosion area;

protective forest belt;

remediation sector;

seed grove;

territory of natural succession.

The zone passport includes

General information

name;

unique code;

square;

borders;

coordinates;

date of creation or start of restoration;

responsible organization;

mode of use.

History of the territory

previous state;

type of degradation;

pollution;

erosion;

water deficit;

fires;

cuttings;

previous economic use;

restoration work carried out.

Soil profile

depth of the fertile horizon;

organic matter content;

structure;

density;

pH;

salinization;

humidity;

infiltration;

biological activity;

concentration of pollutants.

Water passport

water sources;

surface runoff;

groundwater;

seasonal humidity;

reservoirs;

drainage;

flood zones;

sediment retention capacity;

water quality.

Vegetation

complete list of main types;

number of tiers;

age structure;

proportion of long-lived trees;

natural regeneration;

density of undergrowth;

condition of shrubs;

grass cover;

invasive species;

rare and protected plants.

Biodiversity

birds;

mammals;

amphibians;

reptiles;

pollinators;

soil organisms;

mushrooms;

key habitats;

ecological corridors.

Ecological functions

soil formation;

carbon accumulation;

water retention;

decrease in surface temperature;

wind protection;

erosion prevention;

runoff filtration;

support for pollinators;

food production;

recreational and educational value.

6. Categories of natural zones

Zone I - emerging

The ecosystem is developing, but still depends on constant care:

watering;

plantings;

erosion protection;

control of invasive species;

active soil management.

Zone II - stabilized

The main degradation processes have been stopped:

the soil is closed;

erosion is significantly reduced;

water regime has been improved;

a stable vegetation cover has been formed.

Zone III - self-sustaining

The zone demonstrates:

natural regeneration;

sustainable circulation of organic matter;

ability to survive climate fluctuations;

low dependence on external resources.

Zone IV - nature-forming

A long-term tree and ecological framework has been formed.

Present:

long-lived trees;

different age groups;

forest litter;

developed mushroom network;

natural recovery;

complex habitat structure.

Zone V - a particularly valuable inherited ecosystem

The area has exceptional value and must be passed on to future generations without changing its primary purpose.

The following persons may receive this status:

old-growth groves;

mature oak groves;

seed forests;

rare forest-steppe complexes;

sustainable wetland systems;

outstanding forest gardens;

areas with rare species;

natural cores of the DREVO project.

7. Conditions for obtaining a passport at 16 years of age

A permanent passport is not automatically awarded based on age alone.

The following criteria must be confirmed.

For a single plant

the plant is alive and maintains stable growth;

no critical damage;

species identity confirmed;

the origin and location are known;

the tree does not pose an immediate danger;

its ecological function has been determined;

soil survey was carried out;

a photo chronicle has been compiled;

The future care regime has been determined.

For the natural area

legal and spatial boundaries are defined;

there is a history of observations;

the main degradation processes have been stopped;

the soil has a stable vegetation cover;

there is no uncontrolled spread of pollution;

there is age and species diversity;

the main ecological connections have been formed;

water and soil monitoring is underway;

the mode of use and protection has been established.

8. Re-evaluation of passports

A passport is not a static document.

The main examination is carried out:

upon reaching 16 years of age;

then at the age of 25;

50 years;

75 years old;

100 years;

150 years;

then every 25–50 years.

Additional examination is carried out after:

fire;

floods;

severe drought;

mass disease;

hurricane;

pollution;

construction impact;

significant changes in the water regime.

For young and problematic objects, monitoring is possible every 3–5 years.

9. Digital passport

Each object receives a digital record linked to a map of the territory.

Access to the passport can be achieved through:

QR code;

NFC tag;

card number;

mobile application;

digital twin of the territory;

public environmental portal.

A digital passport may contain:

coordinates;

photographs;

three-dimensional model;

growth history;

test results;

information about origin;

care activities;

ecological value;

development forecast;

restrictions on use;

information for visitors.

For rare and vulnerable objects, exact coordinates may be closed to public access.

10. Marking on the territory

Durable information signs may be placed near certified objects.

The sign indicates:

Name;

view;

age;

registration number;

category;

year of issue of passport;

QR code;

Brief description of the ecological role.

Signs must not:

damage the trunk;

grow into a tree;

limit growth;

contain toxic materials;

become a source of injury.

The marking is installed on a separate support or in a safe root zone.

11. Legal and protective regime

After certification, valuable plants and zones receive a certain level of protection.

For nature-forming trees and especially valuable zones the following is provided:

prohibition of unjustified logging;

mandatory examination before intervention;

protective zone around the roots;

restriction of excavation work;

prohibition of pollution;

construction control;

mandatory restoration in case of damage;

A special solution in case of removing a dangerous tree.

If an old tree becomes hazardous, its ecological function is preserved as much as possible:

part of the trunk is left as a habitat;

wood is used within a natural area;

a successor tree is planted;

a record is kept in the historical register.

12. Successor trees

It is advisable to assign one or more successor trees to each particularly valuable long-lived tree.

They can be:

grown from its seeds;

propagated in a nursery;

selected from among natural undergrowth;

planted next to the mother tree;

placed in a reserve seed grove.

This ensures the continuity of the genetic and nature-forming line.

The principle of continuity is especially important for:

oaks;

lime;

maples;

ash tree;

cedar pines;

beech;

elms;

chestnuts;

nuts.

13. Passport of a sustainable forest garden

A forest garden can receive a permanent passport after 16 years of development if it meets the following requirements:

a stable wood base has been formed;

long-lived nature-forming species are present;

the soil is constantly closed;

the circulation of organic matter has been restored;

there are several vegetation layers;

continuous flowering is ensured;

pollinators are supported;

the water collection system is working;

natural renewal is present;

food and remediation areas are separated;

the harvest is safe;

records of varieties and plants are kept;

There is a development plan for the next 25-50 years.

The forest garden passport separately indicates the ratio:

natural areas;

productive zones;

forest-steppe areas;

water zones;

old-age nuclei;

nurseries;

remediation territories;

infrastructure.

14. Passport as a tool of intergenerational responsibility

An environmental passport is not just a plate or a technical document.

It is a form of recognition that a plant or natural area:

passed the period of formation;

have proven their viability;

acquired independent ecological value;

should be taken into account in future decisions;

are passed on to future generations as a living heritage.

Passportization allows you to save memory:

who planted the tree;

where did the seed come from;

what climate events it has experienced;

what role did it play;

what animals and plants were associated with it;

who was responsible for its preservation;

which generations continued his line.

15. The basic principle of the system

For up to 16 years, a plant or natural area undergoes a period of formation, testing, and observation. After 16 years, if sustainability is confirmed, the site receives a permanent ecological passport, status, and a long-term management regime.

The sequence looks like this:

planting or start of restoration → preliminary registration → 16 years of observation → environmental assessment → permanent passport → protection → periodic re-evaluation → transfer to the next generation.

This system transforms individual plantings into a documented living heritage, designed not for one economic cycle, but for 150–300 years.