Abstract
The assessment of the ecological and recreational potential of protected natural areas in the Southern Altai is an important area of ecological research. This article investigates the ecological condition and recreational opportunities of protected natural areas in the Southern Altai region. Using GIS technology, an electronic map of natural, historical, and cultural monuments in the area was created, and the ecological condition of protected areas and the preservation of their natural resources were evaluated. The relevance of evaluating the ecological and recreational potential of the Southern Altai's specially protected natural areas is explained by the need to preserve unique ecosystems alongside the development of tourism. The study used cartographic materials at a scale of 1:100,000, remote sensing data, and field route results (2015-2024). Firstly, the boundaries of strictly protected areas and point objects (geological, hydrological, botanical monuments) were digitized in the ArcGIS software suite, after which the entire area was divided into 80 hexagonal cells, each with a size of 5x5 km. For each cell, attribute data was collected: the number and type of monuments, the accessibility of infrastructure, and the degree of anthropogenic impact. The important results of this study include the identification of natural monuments and the areas of particular importance for their protection. The Katon-Karagay National Nature Park, the Markakol Reserve, and the geological monuments in the Kurshim district, specifically the Kiyn-Kerish and Kyzyl-Kerish stones, are considered as sites requiring ecological protection. The natural monuments and natural resources in these areas are of particular significance for ensuring ecological stability and preserving the recreational potential of the region.