Results of GAP analysis project Results of GAP analysis project Karelian Research Centre of RAS А. Kryshen, А. Gromtsev, О. Kuznetsov. St. Petersburg, 2009

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 habitat or important ecological features occur.

Contents Partners and other participating organisations in RussiaPartners and other participating organisations in Russia Workshops, seminars, conferencesWorkshops, seminars, conferences Expeditions (field work)Expeditions (field work) PublicationsPublications Databases, GIS, Digital libraries and Internet resourcesDatabases, GIS, Digital libraries and Internet resources PA network development in Republic of KareliaPA network development in Republic of Karelia

Partners and other participating organisations in Russia SYKE NGOs (KROO SPOK) Republic of Karelia Government Botanical Institute, Petrozavodsk University, Joensuu University and other research organisations

Organization and implementation of conferences, seminars, workshops Aim: sharing data and opinions, developing best solutions for nature conservation

Biotope seminar within GAP analysis work- group took place in Alexandrovka village near Petrozavodsk, May 2007.

Green Belt seminar in Petrozavodsk (June 2008). Over 80 specialists from North-West Russia and Finland took part in the seminar

Over 100 participants represented ten different countries and about 40 different NGOs.Over 100 participants represented ten different countries and about 40 different NGOs. The 9th Taiga Rescue Network conference Effective use of forest - Effective forest protection (Petrozavodsk, 1–5 October, 2008).

Working meetings with Finnish colleagues on GAP analysis took place in Joensuu ( – ), Helsinki (October 28-30, 2007, November 18 – 21, 2008), Petrozavodsk, (January 25, 2008; February 20– ; May 12–14, 2008; May 19–22, 2008)

Expeditions (field work) Aim: gathering data on the nature of Karelia, and finding potential gaps in the PA network

Yangozero area. Expedition comprising researcher from KRC of RAS, representatives of SPOK NGO and logging organizations was carried out to determine the conservation value of a pristine forest fragment. The Yangozero area was included in RK Land Use Planning Scheme (2008) and excluded from forest use accounts of the RK Forest Management Plan (2008).

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.

Multidisciplinary expedition to Mt. Vottovaara area to define the PA boundaries and status Природный комплекс горы «Воттоваара»: особенности, современное состояние, сохранение

Another activity in the period was large-scope surveys of the whole territory of Karelia with focus on surviving undisturbed forest areas. This work includes inventory of operating regional PAs started following the initiative and with financial support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Ecology.

Publications

A revised edition of the Red Data Book of Karelia was prepared using new (2001) IUCN categories. Editors: E. Ivanter, O. Kuznetsov

A. Markovskiy, O. Ilyina and A. Zorina prepared a colourful brochure – Identification guide of key biotopes (for biodiversity conservation) in central Karelia.

2007

2008

Природный комплекс горы «Воттоваара»: особенности, современное состояние, сохранение 2009

Compilation of shared scientific databases on various natural resources, biodiversity and specific features of territories, permitting scientifically grounded decision-making. Databases, GIS, Digital libraries and Internet resources

Болота переданы желтыми, охряными и светло-зелеными тонами в зависимости от типа болотных участков Лес – темно- зелеными (хвойный) и охряными (лиственный) цветами Озера выглядят как пятна черного цвета 688, 1206 и 3522 – номера болот по справочнику Торфяные месторождения Карельской АССР. М., с. Wetland mapping was accomplished, digitalized contours (over 7000) were submitted to Transparent World; identification of mire type is underway.

Inventory of Republic of Karelia PAs began, and the pilot version of the GIS Protected areas of Republic of Karelia was produced

Cooperation with University of Joensuu: web-map of HCVF

Database Habitats of East Fennoscandia Database Habitats of East Fennoscandia

nternet resources Internet resources

Internet resources

Digital libraries

Practical implementation of KRC proposals: All in all, > ha within < 10 years

Kalevalsky NP ( ha) and Voinitsa LR (8 400 ha – formerly part of the park).

Ladoga Skerries NP (up to ha) 2009 – 2010 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

To be designated before 2015: six LR and nature monuments in a combined area of hasix LR and nature monuments in a combined area of ha (included in the Land Use Planning Scheme, excluded from the RK Forest Management Plan, 2008).(included in the Land Use Planning Scheme, excluded from the RK Forest Management Plan, 2008).

Map of the largest operating and planned PAs (game reserves excluded). Colours: green – zapovednik, yellow – NP, pink – landscape reserves (LR), light blue – planned NP and LR, dark blue – largest waterside protection zones (water bodies having none are not shown in the map). Развитие сети ООПТ Карелии PA network development in Karelia

В 2008 подготовлена Концепция развития сети ООПТ РК (рук. А. Громцев). Схема развития сети ООПТ в РК (подготовлена совместно со СПОК) In 2008, the Concept of PA network development in Republic of Karelia was prepared (leader A. Gromtsev).

Conservation managers or scientists can use GAP analysis 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. 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)

Current network of operating PAs in Republic of Karelia Officially, nature conservation fund as of is 1,029,500 ha, i.e % of RK total area (de facto 3- 4 %) and comprises 224 PAs (State Report…, 2008) + Voinitsa landscape reserve (8,400 ha – designated in 2008). Современная сеть действующих ООПТ в Республике Карелия Официально природно-заповедный фонд на г. составляет 1029,5 тыс. га или 5,75 % от общей площади республики (фактически 3-4 %) и включает 224 объекта (Госдоклад…, 2008) + ЛЗ «Войница» (8,4 тыс.га – учрежден в 2008 г.).

Current network of operating PAs in Republic of Karelia PAs of federal subordination: 2 strict nature reserves (zapovedniks): Kostomukshsky, Kivach, 3 national parks: Paanajärvi, Vodlozersky, Kalevalsky, zoological reserves Kizhsky, Olonetsky. Современная сеть действующих ООПТ в Республике Карелия ООПТ федерального подчинения: 2 государственных заповедника: «Костомукшский», «Кивач»; 3 национальных парка: «Паанаярви», «Водлозерский» и «Калевальский»; зоологические заказники «Кижский», «Олонецкий».

Current network of operating PAs in Republic of Karelia PAs of regional subordination: nature park Valaam Archipelago, nature reserves, nature monuments, Petrozavodsk State University Botanical Garden, health resort forests around Martial Waters spa, buffer zones of Kivach and Kostomukshsky strict nature reserves, Kizhi Historical, Architectural and Ethnographic Museum-Reserve, and of Paanajärvi NP, plus tree stands. Современная сеть действующих ООПТ в Республике Карелия ООПТ регионального подчинения: природный парк «Валаамский архипелаг», государственные природные заказники, государственные памятники природы, ботанический сад ПетрГУ, курортные леса вокруг санатория «Марциальные воды», охранные зоны ГПЗ «Кивач»и «Паанаярви», государственного историко-архитектурного и этнографического музея-заповедника "Кижи" и НП «Паанаярви» и лесные плюсовые насаждения.

Objects with bedrock and Quaternary sediments (geological nature monuments). Over 200 GNM* are recommended for inclusion in the PA list (160 of them shown in the figure). Объекты с коренными породами и четвертичными отложениями (геологические памятники природы). Рекомендуется включить в список ООПТ более 200 ГПП* (на рис. показаны 160 из них).

Operating and planned PAs cover part of the ranges of all soils subject to protection, and designation of new areas for this purpose is not needed. Действующая и планируемая сеть ООПТ покрывает часть ареалов всех почв, подлежащих охране, поэтому нет необходимости в выделении дополнительных участков для этих целей. The priorities among planned PAs in this sense are: С данной точки зрения к первоочередным планируемым объектам следует отнести: Zaonezhje PA, «Заонежье», Ladoga Skerries NP, НП «Ладожские шхеры» Gridino, ЛЗ «Гридино», Syrovatka, ЛЗ «Сыроватка» Vottovaara NM, Ппр «Воттоваара».

Prioritized among 17 proposed aquatic PAs are 7 objects, for which sufficient information is available or feasibility studies are ready. Most of them are already included in the list of planned PAs. Locations of 10 waterfalls - potential PAs В первоочередные ООПТ предлагается 7 водных объектов (из 17), для кото-рых в настоящее время имеется достаточно инфор-мации или подготовлены экологические обоснова-ния. Основная часть из них уже включена в перечень планируемых ООПТ.

Provisional list of 200 valuable wetlands covering a combined area of ca ha was compiled. Four large wetland areas were defined as designation priorities. Locations of wetlands proposed for designation Составлен перспективный список 200 ценных болот для охраны на общей площади около га. К первоочередным ООПТ отнесены 4 крупных болотных и водно-болотных объекта.

Feasibility studies were prepared for three landscape reserves comprising the last surviving substantial areas of pristine taiga. Locations of largest pristine forest areas.

Potential objects of the flora (15) – most important in terms of conserving regional diversity of species and vegetation in general.

Clear-cutting must be forbidden in zoological reserves. Game reserves are not PAs – hardly any nature use limitations (temporary ban on hunting). Operating game reserves, proposed zoological reserves (15 reserves in ha), and areas of the zoological nature monument rank (mainly bird breeding areas).

Recreational zoning. Landscapes of: 1 – minimal, 2 – low, 3 – average, 4 – high, 5 – exceptional recreational quality. All landscapes of top categories are represented by substantial areas in operating and proposed PAs of different categories.

Zoning by landscape representativeness. Areas: 1) unique, 2) rare, 3) peculiar, 4) common, 5) reference. Given the PA network state- of-the-art, and if the proposals submitted are realized, the situation in conservation of the regional diversity of geographic landscapes (area of ca ha) would be satisfactory.

All natural complexes most vulnerable to human impact are partially covered by operating and planned PAs in a combined area of about 1/3 mln. ha, waterside protection zones not included.

ОТ ОСТРОВОВ К ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКИМ СЕТЯМ FROM ISLANDS TO ECONETS

Interregional continuity of PA systems. (Green Belts of Fennoscandia) An essential element of the spatial system of PAs of different categories in Karelia is their contingency with PAs in adjacent regions of Russia (Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, Vologda and Leningrad Regions). Regional PA networks should be linked together or adjoined to establish an interregional and national system. Such continuity has to a large extent been created and is developing.

Largest operating and planned PAs in the Green Belt of Fennoscandia 1. Pasvik zapovednik 2. Laplandsky zapovednik 3. Kutsa nature reserve (zakaznik) 4. Paanajärvi NP 5. Kostomukshsky zapovednik 6. Kalevalsky NP with Voinitsa landscape reserve (LR) 7. Tulos LR 8. Koitajoki LR 9. Tolvajärvi LR 10. Ladoga Skerries NP 11. Iso-Ijärvi LR 12. Karelsky Les LR 13. Prigranichnyi LR 14. Ingermanlandsky zakaznik There are also some small-size LR – Podkova, etc. Total area of the above PAs is about ha

The interregional Green Belt is now forming at eastern borders of Karelia, and fringes also eastern boundaries of Fennoscandia (* in Fig.): -border with Murmansk Region: Kolvitsky zakaznik (1), Kanozersky zakaznik (2), Kandalakshsky zapovednik (3); - White Sea coast (within RK): LR Polyarnyi Krug (4), Gridino (5), Syrovatka (6), Kuzova (7), Soroksky (8); - border with Arkhangelsk Region: Vodlozersky NP (9), Kozhezersky LR (10), Chukozero LR (11), Kenozersky NP (12); - border with Vologda Region: Atleka LR, Verkhneandomsky LR, etc.; - border with Vologda and Leningrad Regions: Vepssky Les nature park (14), etc. Total area of the above PAs is about 1.4 mln. ha

An essential element connecting nature conservation objects into a spatial system by corridors along watercourses and around waterbodies (combined area ca. 2.4 mln. ha). All kinds of commercial fellings were prohibited. Only tending allowed, incl. rejuvenation and conversion fellings. Since 2009 however, voluntary selective and gradual felling is allowed. In reality, they are likely to turn into commercial felling taking the most valuable part of the stock (up to 40%). Officially, the region has mln. ha of protective forest. Some 82% of them are waterside strips. Waterside protection zones

2-km wide waterside protection zone of the Poncha River (Pyaozero village area) with an explicit belt of well-preserved pristine forest Vil. Pyaozero

The most valuable and prioritized for designation are the following areas General profile ones (integrated, landscape reserves) All included in the RK Land use planning scheme, 2008 Ladoga Skerries NP ( – ha, see National Park…, 2001; area and outlines to be specified); Zaonezhje PA ( , see Nature Park…, 1992; status, area and outlines to be specified); Tulos LR ( ha, see National Park…, 2001; area and outlines to be specified); Koitajoki (wetland) LR ( ha, see National Park…, 2001; area and outlines to be specified); To be designated before 2015, and already excluded from forest use calculations in the RK Forest Management Plan, 2008: Gridino LR – ha, (see Rupestrine landscapes…, 2008); Chukkozero LR ( ha, see Materials of inventory …, 2006); Syrovatka LR ( ha, see Materials of inventory …, 2003); Vottovaara nature monument (3 500 ha, see Natural complex…, 2009); Kumi-porog nature monument (3 600 ha, see Feasibility study…, 2006). Vargachnyi – Korbozersky nature monument (4 100 ha, see Feasibility study…, 2007)

Environmentalization of public mind Understanding is growing at all levels that socio-economic problems can and should be solved in balance with nature conservation Экологизация общественного сознания

Project participants accomplishments recognised at the regional level A. Gromtsev was awarded the title of a 2007 RK Laureate for active participation in the Kalevalskii NP organization. O. Kuznetsov was awarded the title of a 2008 RK Laureate for nature protection activities and Red Data Book of RK publication.

Acknowledgment SYKE and Ministry of environment of Finland for the basic financing of the project Karelian Government: the regional programme Republic of Karelia ecology and natural resources, GIS PAs of Karelia (partly financing) Russian Academy of Sciences: field work, publications, GIS, Internet Russian fund for basic research: field work, Internet

Thank you!