Framework for the Vologda Region Nature Research Strategy (2004-2010)
Goal: Research in biological diversity (at the level of biotopes, ecosystems, species, genes), and research in landscape diversity for the sustainable use of biological resources of the region.
Research tasks: inventory-taking, evaluation and monitoring of landscape and biological diversity.
Target region: the Vologda region, covering an area of 145.7 thousand sq. km and situated in the Northwest of the European part of Russia
(between 61°36' - 58°27' North and 34°42' - 47°10' East)
 Profile of the Vologda region:
1. Geosystem marginality. Here lies the border between:intermediate and southern taiga zones
the Caspian, Baltic and White Sea basins
western and eastern parts of the Russian Plain
boreal and sub-boreal European landscapes
2. Unique character of biodiversity: high diversity of the local animal and plant wildlife diversity of fauna complexes and flora geoelements: Arctic, boreal, nemoral, steppe, Siberian
many species are vulnerable, being at the border of their habitats
vivid genetic polymorphism of species
unique life forms of hydrobiont fauna
species migration, self-spreading, invasion problems
3. High diversity and mosaic character of natural landscapes, ecosystems, biotopes: moraine, lake-glacial, forest, meadow, swamp, water, plain, hill.
4. Diversity of landscape, ecosystem and biotope anthropogenic modifications: forestry, agricultural, water-use, technogenic, transport. Evidence of transformation of the natural environment, including: increasing share of anthropogenically modified landscapes, including the replacement of coniferous forests with microphyllous forests, swamp drainage, changed chemical characteristics of soil processes.
strengthening of habitat anthropogenic fragmentation.
air, water and soil pollution which cause alcalinization, acidification, eutrophication, toxification and environmental deterioration.
changes in geo- and ecosystem mass and energy exchange and introduction of extra biogenes, toxic organic and non-organic substances into circulation.
Research directions:
1. Observation network optimisation, collection and processing key parameters (place and time, structural, functional) of landscape biodiversity.
2. Registration and monitoring of biodiversity at the level of landscapes, biotopes, ecosystems and species.
3. Updating the Vologda Region Red Data Book.
4. Biodiversity evaluation at the level of landscapes, biotopes, ecosystems and species.
5. GAP Analysis of protected areas for optimal placement.
6. Research in genetic polymorphism and phenotypic norm of reaction for rare species.
7. Evaluating biotope vulnerability as association habitats and ecotope vulnerability as rare species habitats under the conditions of protected areas and anthropogenic landscapes.
This paper was prepared by:
E. Bakhtenko, N. Bolotova, N. Maksutova, E. Skupinova and T. Suslova
Vologda State Pedagogical University, Russia
e-mail: bakhtenko@mail.vcom.ru
Photos by: E. Bahtenko
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