The article deals with the role of cartographic research method for effective natural resource management. The significance of system approach to plant resources mapping due to their multicomponent structure is given. The system of cartographic models of plant resources is proposed as a means of systematization and visualization of heterogeneous (remote sensing, cadastral and statistical) natural resources data. The emergent properties and structure of this system are characterized. The types of cartographic models according their themes and purposes are presented. The first type includes cartographic models of forest resources, non-forest resources and plant resources of protected areas. The second type encompasses cartographic models for research, management and leaning. The article goes on to describe the questions of developing and making of the system of cartographic models of forest resources of Novosibirsk region. The structure of this system includes groups of cartographic models, which are characterizing the present state of forest resources, recultivation activities, and exploitation of forests. Heterogeneous data used for development of the system were comprised of basic spatial data of Novosibirsk region, remote sensing images and a vast range of statistical and cadastral data. The usage of 3D-modeling for cartographic visualization of different characteristics of the forests of Novosibirsk region is depicted.