Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

The endangered animal population has recovered, urging the Russian Federation to reduce the Red List by 50 taxa between animal and plants [ ] 189 A strong tradition in conservation The Russian Federation has been involved in a range of successful activities aiming to conserve biodiver- sity in recent years. The introduction of the concept of biodiversity into conservation practice in Russia has strengthened the justification for spa- tial conservation development in the country through the establishment of an effective and representative network of protected areas of different categories. Several new protected are- as have been established and there are also Federal natural sanctuaries such as Gazelle Valley and Pozarym (2011). The implementation of the pro- gramme of the Emerald Network in the European part of Russia iden- tified a network of Areas of Special Conservation Interest formed under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), includ- ing up to 740 areas altogether. Two new UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites have been established: the Putorana Plateau in 2010 and Lena Pillars in 2012. Currently five other nominations to UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites have either been developed or are under development, implying significant benefits for nature conservation. Forest certification in Russia has progressed in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and 25 per cent of forests have already been certified. In addition, the concept of ecosystem services has become embedded into standard conservation practices as well as the country’s project for The Econom- ics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) programme. The Russian Federation Initiative be- gan a consultation process in 2012 on the inclusion of carbon-accumulating ecosystems (bogs, tundra, and steppes) for the post-Kyoto Protocol agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The population of many animal species, including some on the Inter- national Union for the Conservation of Nature Red Lists, has increased. The Red List of the Russian Federa- tion has been reduced by 50 taxa of plants and animals as some species improved their conservation status. Various national strategies on rare species conservation have been devel- oped or are under implementation. Winter landscape south of the Ural Mountains Russian Federation R ussia is the largest state on Earth, with rich natural and intellectual resources. Climate-related irregular development has contributed to the conservation of flora, fauna and ecosystems in a near-wild state in most areas and a system of protected areas has been functioning for about 100 years. Rational use of hunting and sea biological resources has been established and the country has made significant achievements in the ecological efficiency of agriculture. Over 60 per cent of the Russian area is distinguished by pristine habitats of plants and animals. The number of endangered animal and plant populations has also dropped. Daniil Silantev on Unsplash