Press release 2011-03-28 at 12:00
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Lake Ladoga.
Photo: Anna Kuhmonen
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The Finnish–Russian GAP project analysed the coverage, by the country’s current network of protected areas, of valuable natural areas in North-west Russia. Many of North-west Russia’s extensive, intact natural areas still in their natural state are threatened by intensive commercial use, such as logging, mining operations, the extraction of gravel and cottage building. As a basis for decision-making, practical tools for planning the use of land and natural resources were produced in co-operation between Finland and Russia. The results will also be utilised in the development of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia and the project for developing the protected area network in the Barents Euro-Arctic Region.
The results of the GAP Analysis Project in North-west Russia, a four-year co-operation project, will be presented at the Consulate General of Finland in St Petersburg on 29 March 2011, in the project’s final seminar. GAP analysis refers to the assessment of gaps in, and the ecological representativeness of, the network of protected areas. North-west Russia’s valuable natural habitats have now been analysed for the first time using modern satellite image interpretation, remote sensing and geographic information analysis. The results reveal areas which should be prioritised in the development of the protected area network.
An analysis assessing the ecological comprehensiveness of, and gaps in, the protected-area network was conducted on six administrative regions in the district of North-west Russia – namely, Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Murmansk and Leningrad, the Republic of Karelia and the City of St Petersburg. The analysis was based on a scientific process taking account even of expert statements based on years of experience.
The UN Convention on Biological Diversity is the key tool in preserving global biological diversity. It obliges parties to the convention to establish and maintain protected areas, protect endangered species and monitor biological diversity. Countries ratifying the Convention are required to assess the ecological coverage of their protected-area network, and to apply assessment results in practice. The Convention on Biological Diversity encourages nations to engage in transboundary co-operation.
On a nationwide basis, Russia has implemented the GAP-analysis required by the Convention, covering only federal-level national parks and strict nature reserves, not the regionally protected areas. The Finnish-Russian GAP analysis yields results on a more detailed level.
The protected areas of North-west Russia are also vital to the diversity of Finnish nature. The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) implemented the project in co-operation with neighbouring regions, together with public authorities, scientific institutions and non-governmental organisations of North-west Russia. Support was also provided by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Ministry of the Environment.
Further information
Ms Riitta Hemmi, Project Manager, Finnish Environment Institute,
tel. +358 400 120 431, firstname.surname@ymparisto.fi
Mr Tapio Lindholm, Leading Expert, Finnish Environment Institute,
tel. +358 40 7401 598, firstname.surname@ymparisto.fi
Ms Anna Kuhmonen, Co-ordinator, Finnish Environment Institute,
tel. +358 400 473 470, firstname.surname@ymparisto.fi