"GAP Analysis in Northwest Russia" in Republic of Karelia 2007-2008 Karelian Research Centre of RAS . Kryshen, . Gromtsev, . Kuznetsov St. Petersburg, 2008 Contents · · · · Background 2007 yr results Plans for yr 2008 Suggestions of Karelian GAP group for 2009-2011 period BACKGROUND · Gap analysis is a tool used in wildlife conservation to identify gaps in conservation lands or other wildlands where significant plant and animal species and their habitats or important ecological features occur. · Conservation managers or scientists can use it as a basis for providing recommendations to improve the representativeness of nature reserves or the effectiveness of protected areas so that these areas provide the best value for conserving biodiversity. In 2007, a good background was formed for future work · The regional ad hoc programme "Republic of Karelia ecology and natural resources", comprising projects on PA development and biodiversity studies and conservation, is underway (financed from the budget of Republic of Karelia) In 2007, in the framework of the GAP-project in Republic of Karelia, contacts were established between NGOs, authorities and research organizations, the tasks of each were determined · Editors (compilers) A. Gromtsev & O. Kuznetsov "Kalevalsky" NP designation approved late in 2006. A. Gromtsev was awarded the title of a 2007 RK Laureate for active participation in the NP organization. Agreement on cooperation in nature conservation between SPOK NGO and KRC of RAS · Interdepartmental Northwestern Coordinating Board on Basic and Applied Research under RAS (Chair ­ Academician Alfyorov, RAS VicePresident, President of the RAS St. Petersburg Research Centre) started its work The Coordinating Board includes: · Scientific Panel on Problems of Sustainable Nature Use and Environment Protection (Chair V. Kalinnikov, RAS Kola Research Centre; regional GAP team represented by A. Gromtsev) · Scientific Panel on Problems of the Biology and Bioresources of Boreal Systems (Chair A. Titov, KRC of RAS; regional GAP team represented by A. Kryshen') · Researchers from KRC actively participated in public hearings on organization of the Ladoga skerries NP. ·Author of the feasibility study for the Ladoga skerries NP designation A. Kravchenko became a member of the working group on the park organization and project leader in KRC 2007 RESULTS Field work · Multidisciplinary survey of the White Sea coast was carried out (GAP project funding) · En route biodiversity surveys were carried out nearly throughout Karelia (co-funded by RAS, RK, GAP, specific contracts) Research into species diversity Sub-project leader ­ O. Kuznetsov, DSc Implemented by: KRC Institute of Biology, KRC Forest Research Institute, RAS Botanical Institute, Petrozavodsk State University Tasks: compile checklists; identify rare and vulnerable plant, animal and fungal species; compile rare species distribution maps; work out recommendations for their conservation PROJECT PROPOSALS FROM KARELIAN RESEARCH CENTRE, RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE FOR THE PROGRAMME "GAP ANALYSIS" IN KARELIA (within the Russian-Finnish Development Programme on Sustainable Forest Management and Conservation of Biological Diversity in Northwest Russia) 5. Outputs · Publication of species checklists and additions to previously published checklists of vascular plants, mosses, lichens, mammals, birds, fishes and insects. · Distribution maps for rare animal, plant and fungus species (~ 100 ­ 150). Monographs with complete checklists of vascular plant and lichen species were prepared and submitted for publication · A. Kravchenko. Compendium of the Flora of Karelia. Petrozavodsk: KRC of RAS, 2007. (co-funded by GAP project and RAS) · M. Fadeeva, N. Golubkova, O. Vitikainen, T. Ahti Compendium of Lichens and Licenicolous Fungi of Republic of Karelia. Petrozavodsk: KRC of RAS, 2007. 192 p. (co-funded by GAP project and RAS) · A revised edition of the Red Data Book of Karelia was prepared using new (2001) IUCN categories (publication funded by RK budget) Editors: E. Ivanter, O. Kuznetsov Research into habitat diversity Sub-project leader ­ A. Kryshen, DSc Implemented by: KRC Institute of Biology, KRC Forest Research Institute, KRC Institute of Applied Mathematical Research, Petrozavodsk State University, SPOK NGO · Task: determine the diversity of habitats in Karelia; identify habitats in need of protection PROJECT PROPOSALS FROM KARELIAN RESEARCH CENTRE, RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE FOR THE PROGRAMME "GAP ANALYSIS" IN KARELIA (within the Russian-Finnish Development Programme on Sustainable Forest Management and Conservation of Biological Diversity in Northwest Russia) 5. Outputs ... · Database "Habitats of East Fennoscandia". · Publication of classifications of plant communities. ... Format of habitat description in the digital database Preliminary checklists of vascular plant species growing at different stand establishment stages were compiled for different ecotopes Actaea erithrocarpa ­ a species preferring shady forests 1,00 0,53 0,44 0,44 0,44 0,39 0,34 0,26 0,30 0,33 0,58 0,11 0,18 0,17 0,29 0,38 0,12 0,17 0,18 1,00 0,82 0,30 0,33 0,33 0,19 0,19 0,18 0,22 0,39 0,06 0,11 0,10 0,23 0,27 0,07 0,10 0,08 1,00 0,26 0,29 0,29 0,16 0,17 0,16 0,19 0,33 0,05 0,10 0,08 0,20 0,27 0,06 0,10 0,08 1,00 0,54 0,58 0,54 0,42 0,41 0,49 0,57 0,20 0,32 0,29 0,54 0,56 0,23 0,27 0,16 1,00 0,54 0,48 0,41 0,49 0,52 0,58 0,16 0,32 0,29 0,55 0,49 0,19 0,28 0,21 1,00 0,45 0,39 0,39 0,46 0,53 0,17 0,32 0,27 0,48 0,49 0,18 0,26 0,15 1,00 0,41 0,45 0,50 0,41 0,27 0,34 0,33 0,47 0,44 0,31 0,31 0,16 1,00 0,63 0,44 0,37 0,30 0,51 0,49 0,50 0,38 0,28 0,36 0,21 1,00 0,56 0,42 0,29 0,45 0,49 0,53 0,38 0,30 0,39 0,22 1,00 0,48 0,23 0,34 0,39 0,53 0,48 0,24 0,34 0,19 1,00 0,15 0,26 0,25 0,46 0,52 0,17 0,23 0,22 1,00 0,37 0,38 0,22 0,19 0,44 0,23 0,10 1,00 0,46 0,42 0,31 0,33 0,38 0,19 1,00 0,35 0,33 0,33 0,40 0,19 1,00 0,50 0,25 0,44 0,22 1,00 0,18 0,32 0,25 1,00 0,29 0,13 1,00 0,28 1,00 16 10 10 33 30 30 47 52 49 40 22 134 70 82 38 28 95 47 17 · A. Markovskiy, O. Ilyina and A. Zorina prepared a colourful brochure ­ Identification guide of key biotopes (for biodiversity conservation) in central Karelia. Assessment of the PA network in Karelia Sub-project leader ­ A. Gromtsev, DSc Implemented by: KRC Institute of Biology, KRC Forest Research Institute, KRC Northern Water Problems Institute, KRC Institute of Geology, SPOK NGO · Task: assess present-day condition of the PA network and demand for new PAs; work out proposals for inclusion of specific areas in the PA network of Karelia PROJECT PROPOSALS FROM KARELIAN RESEARCH CENTRE, RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE FOR THE PROGRAMME "GAP ANALYSIS" IN KARELIA (within the Russian-Finnish Development Programme on Sustainable Forest Management and Conservation of Biological Diversity in Northwest Russia) 5. Outputs ... · GIS "PAs of Karelia". · Practical recommendations for forestry and government structures for conservation and protection of biotopes valuable for biodiversity · Substantiation of organization of the PA network · A GIS software and hardware complex was purchased and installed in KRC of RAS. The complex includes a highly productive computer for processing satellite images, large-format scanner and printer, ArcGIS software (ArcView 9.0, floating license and a 3D application module). Materials were handed over to RK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Ecology for organization of a GIS station operator workbench (funding from RAS, RK) · Inventory of Republic of Karelia PAs began, and the pilot version of the GIS "Protected areas of Republic of Karelia" was produced (financed from the budget of Republic of Karelia) · The monograph by P. Litinskiy "3D modeling of the structure and dynamics of taiga landscapes" summarizing years of experience in remote sensing of the plant cover was published. The monograph can be used as a manual for GIS development (RAS funding) The area and boundaries of the Chukozero landscape reserve were negotiated among SPOK, KRC Forest Research Institute, RK Forestry Agency and Karellesprom JSC, and submitted to the relevant regional authority · Over 30 researchers from 6 scientific organizations took part in the multidisciplinary expedition to the Gridino village area. FRI: O. Bakhmet, A. Gromtsev, Yu. Presnukhin, N. Petrov, A. Tuyunen, A. Kravchenko, V. Timofeeva, O. Rudkovskaya, O. Predtechenskaya, A. Ruokolainen, V. Krutov, M. Fadeeva, N. Medvedev, S. Sazonov, A. Polevoi, A. Humala, I. Gueorgievskiy IB: O. Kuznetsov, S. Kutenkov, P. Danilov, V. Belkin, A. Maksimov, S. Komulainen, A. Veselov. NWPI: V.Kukharev, A. Litvinenko Inst. of Geol.: T. Shelekhova, A. Slabunov Inst. Of Lang., Lit. & Hist.: K. Loginov, N. Lobanova Karelian Pedagogical Univ.: S. Potakhin, S. Kapitonova · Research results were collected into the monograph "Rupestrian landscapes of the White Sea Karelian coast: natural characteristics, economic utilization, conservation", which will be sent to press in 2008. Plans for 2008 Publications on biodiversity Publication of the volume of collected papers on the biodiversity of Karelia Preparation of the popular science book "Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of Karelia" (in charge: O. Predtechenskaya) Publication of the Red Data Book of Karelia (in charge: RK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Ecology) Publication of a monograph on the flora of Karelia (in charge: A. Kravchenko) Publication of a monograph on lichen diversity (in charge: M. Fadeeva) Publication of the collective monograph "Rupestrian landscapes of the White Sea Karelian coast: natural characteristics, economic utilization, conservation", which is, in fact, the feasibility study for PA designation in the Gridino village area Publication of the monograph by A.D. Volkov "Types of forest in Karelia" (in charge: A. Gromtsev) · Continuation of activities under contract with RK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Ecology on inventory of the regional PA network and development of GIS on PAs of Karelia (in charge: A. Gromtsev, A. Polin) · Incl. revision of zoological and game reserves in Karelia (in charge: P. Danilov) · Preparation of the new edition of the Concept of PA network formation in Republic of Karelia (in charge: A. Gromtsev) · Swedish-Russian workshop "Ecological landscape planning in model areas" (in charge: A. Gromtsev, SPOK NGO) · Organization and implementation of the international working meeting on the Green Belt of Fennoscandia in Petrozavodsk (organizers KRC RAS, North Karelia Biosphere Reserve, Finnish-Russian Working Group on Nature Conservation, Kostomuksha strict nature reserve ...) Organization of expeditions in Karelia, incl. a multidisciplinary expedition to Mt. Vottovaara area to define the PA boundaries and status A view from Mt. Vottovaara. Southernmost alpine forest-tundra areas in the European part of Russia's taiga zone. · Creation of special Internet resource ­ GAP-analysis project web page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Preparing publications on biodiversity and Gap-GIS Analysis of satellite images GAP-project web page Meetings Concept of the network of protected areas Field work Analysis of field materials Final report 2009-2011 · Green Belt of Fennoscandia: promotion of cooperation in nature conservation, social and economic spheres among regions (St. Petersburg, Leningrad Region, Karelia, Murmansk Region) and countries (Russia, Finland, Norway); substantiation of the need to give GBF an official status · Green Belt along the Baltic shield margin: Kandalakshskiy strict nature reserve, Gridino, Syrovatka, Kuzova, Sorokskiy, Chukozero, Kozhoserskiy NP, Kenozerskiy NP, Vodlozerskiy NP, Muromskiy, Vepskiy Les NP, Nizhnesvirskiy strict nature reserve. · Promotion of cooperation in nature conservation, social and economic spheres among all 6 regions: Murmansk Region, Karelia, Arkhangelsk region, Leningrad Region, St. Petersburg. · Skerried part of the Zaonezhje Peninsula: substantiation of the conservation status and outlines (hearings on nature conservation in Zaonezhje initiated by the NGO "Russian North" are to take place in the Republic of Karelia Legislative Assembly) · Yupäushsuo ­ a largest mire complex (ca. 20 000 ha): assessment of the conservation value of the mire and adjoining forests, substantiation of the conservation status and outlines. Thank you!