Green Belt of Fennoscandia (draft research programme) April 2008 Programme objective Research into natural complexes on both sides of the Russian-Finnish and RussianNorwegian borders, and preparation of scientific substantiation for organizing integral environmental-economic space in order to conserve unique northern nature and develop the territories with regard to historical and cultural Environment features of the peoples living there Economy Society Long-term tasks of the "Green Belt of Fennoscandia" (GBF) programme Substantiation of GBF inclusion in UNESCO World Heritage List; Establishment and development of a network of protected areas (PAs) securing conservation of Fennoscandian biodiversity (setting up ecological corridors, strict reservation of areas retaining undisturbed ecosystems); Establishment of biosphere reserves ­ areas where nature conservation is harmoniously combined with resolution of social and economic problems; Identification of ethnocultural centres in GBF territory, and substantiation of measures to conserve indigenous peoples' traditions and languages, as well as historical and cultural monuments; Environmental education and awareness-raising; Working out of the economic development strategy taking environmental, social and cultural aspects, as well as nature conservation tasks into account. Research programme tasks Investigate biological diversity (species and habitats) in border areas Identify most valuable ecosystems and substantiate their conservation status Define development priorities for GBF components with focus on involving cultural & natural heritage in economic activities Identify potential challenges and risks of GBF establishment, ways and methods to overcome them, including settlement of possible social and economic conflicts Inception phase tasks (2008 - 2009) Set up an international working group to compile the GBF multidisciplinary programme; Analyse the results of completed and ongoing environmental, economic, socio-cultural and other projects in GBF area. Prospective participants (countries and institutions): Russia: Murmansk Region Kola Research Centre of RAS: Polar-Alpine Botanical Gardens Institute, Institute for Industrial Ecology of the North Karelian Research Centre of RAS: Institute of Biology, Forest Research Institute, Institute of Geology, Northern Water Problems Institute, Institute of Economic Studies, Institute of Language, Literature and History, Institute of Applied Mathematical Research Petrozavodsk State University Karelian State Pedagogical University Kostomukshsky Strict Nature Reserve St. Petersburg State University's Biological Research Institute Republic of Karelia Leningrad Region Finland Norway Cross-border cooperation experience (past research and organizational activities) Russian-Finnish projects Friendship Park GAP analysis in Northwest Russia, Republic of Karelia component TACIS projects for preparation of PA feasibility studies Paanajärvi NP Kalevalsky NP Tulos landscape reserve Tolvajärvi landscape reserve Ladoga Skerries NP EURegio Karelia projects Working out of economic development programmes for Suojärvi and Muezerska districts, with nature tourism as the basis Some results of international projects Approximation of research approaches and methods Compilation of shared scientific databases on various natural resources, biodiversity and specific features of territories, permitting scientifically grounded decision-making Feasibility studies for designation of PAs (Tulos and Tolvajärvi landscape reserves, Ladoga Skerries NP) Working out of economic development programmes for Suojärvi and Muezerska districts, with nature tourism as the basis Broadened network of specialists and institutions involved in international cooperation Results expected from international cooperation Working out of common approaches to dealing with environmental problems (common environmental policy) Organization of international nature reserves Enhancement of tourism and transport infrastructures Formation of a network of international nature tourism and environmental learning routes Joining of efforts and resources for conservation of natural and cultural heritage "Environmentalization" of the public mind Preparation of scientific, educational, popularscience editions, leaflets, guidebooks, video materials Expected nature conservation results Working out scientific principles of conserving northern ecosystems exposed to anthropogenic pressure and global climate change; Working out a programme for conservation and sustainable management of natural resources; Working out a conservation programme for rare and endangered species; Scientific substantiation of PA network formation and development: Identification of undisturbed ecosystems, and preparation of recommendations for their conservation; Identification of key biodiversity conservation areas; Development of the network of ecological corridors. Assessment of the status of rare and commercial plant populations in GBF territory; Assessment of the status of rare and commercial animal populations, and identification of their migration pathways; Expected results in environmental education Internet resources, including the "Green Belt of Fennoscandia" GIS Publishing activities Environmental awareness building (presentations in mass media, lectures to schoolchildren, students, local people) Organization of environmental and ethnographic festivals and other events Scientific publications (descriptions of communities and ecosystems, species checklists) Popular-science editions, incl. educational materials Leaflets and posters Maps and schemes of ecotourism routes Video materials Programme final beneficiaries Institutions and organizations: Administrations of border districts, towns and villages Scientific organizations National parks and other PAs Educational institutions Tourist firms NGOs Environmental Ethnographic Local lore Local people Educators and students Fishermen and hunters Tourists Potential funding sources for the programme Russian Federation budget Budgets of Republic of Karelia, Murmansk and Leningrad Regions Budgets of different levels in Finland Budgets of different levels in Norway International foundations and organizations funding programmes and projects of this kind Russian Academy of Science RF Ministry for Natural Resources RF Education and Science Ministry RF Regional Development Ministry