THE ECOLOGICAL AND TOURIST FRAMEWORKS OF THE LOW MOUNTAIN ZONE AS THE BASIS FOR THE FORMATION OF THE TERRITORIAL STRUCTURE IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF ALTAI KRAI

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the environmental and tourism aspects of the formation of the territorial structure of the region. The authors advocate for an ecological framework approach to pinpoint key natural areas crucial for establishing a tourist framework. In the southern low-mountain region of Altai Krai, mountain ranges are integral to the ecological framework, shaping its diverse landscape. This territory harbors specially protected natural areas (SPNA) that comprise natural heritage sites and tourist attractions. Different elements of the ecological framework, including nature reserves and protected zones within natural parks, require varying levels of protection. The study emphasizes that the main river valleys serve as focal points of the tourist framework. Through the development of schematic maps, the research identifies nine distinct tourist destinations in the foothill-low-mountain zone of Altai Krai, each characterized by unique ecological and tourist attributes.