Resources of medicinal plants in the Kuznetsky Alatau

The paper aims to study the resources of medicinal plants in the the Kuznetsky Alatau. Eighty-four species of vascular plants applied in scientific medicine have been identified, 35 of which have industrial reserves of raw material (resources of categories I and II). The remaining 49 species are not recommended for industrial procurement. Reserves of raw materials have been ascertained for 12 commercial species among which Paeonia anomala (9138 t), Polygonum bistorta (3200 t), Bergenia crassifolia (571 t), Sorbus sibirica (346 t), Veratrum lobelianum (342 t) and Rhaponticum carthamoides (328 t) have been assessed to have the biggest volumes of raw materials’ reserve. Five commercial species of medicinal plants, namely B. crassifolia, P. bistorta, Bupleurum multinerve, P. anomala and R. carthamoides, and a rare valuable medicinal plant Rhodiola rosea are confined to mountain habitats. We determined the optimal part of the cenocomplex, the conditions of habitation and the density of reserves for these species. The paper makes recommendations for their sustainable use. Despite the relatively small territory of the Kuznetsky Alatau, it is considered to have great potential for harvesting of medicinal plants.