Karelian scientists have implemented extensive work to assess the status of the Arctic fox population in the Kola Peninsula. Prior to the fieldwork, they studied the obliterated archival sources from the 1930s for data on the subject, after which several expeditions to the Polar North took place. The results of this study were published in the international journal of Polar Biology.
“Our research revealed the extremely poor state of the Arctic fox population on the Kola Peninsula. According to our estimates, the current population is likely isolated and consists of no more than a few dozen adults”, – the article declares.
The main threat to this Arctic species today is climate change. In many parts of its Eurasian distribution, the southern limit of the Arctic fox range is progressively moving northwards. Because of global warming, Arctic fox is displaced from its traditional habitats by a stronger competitor – red fox. The past decades have also seen a change in the population dynamics of lemmings, which are prey for this Arctic carnivore.
KarRC RAS
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May 12, 2021
Scientists from the Karelian Research Centre RAS together with colleagues from Norway and Sweden have been studying the status of the Arctic fox population in the Kola Peninsula. Proceeding from their findings, they argue that large-scale monitoring of this endangered species should be organized on the peninsula, and urgent conservation actions are needed.
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September 29, 2023
Karelian scientists took part in the International Conference Youth in Science 2023 in Minsk
Employees of the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS presented their research in animal ecological physiology at the 20th International Conference Youth in Science 2023 in Minsk. The scientists investigate the content of vital elements in the organism of game animals and the effects of biochemical and physiological characteristics on the behavior of American mink.
Employees of the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS presented their research in animal ecological physiology at the 20th International Conference Youth in Science 2023 in Minsk. The scientists investigate the content of vital elements in the organism of game animals and the effects of biochemical and physiological characteristics on the behavior of American mink.
September 28, 2023
Karelian researchers looking for traces of ancient earthquakes in lake bottom sediments
Seismic events that took place in the territory of our republic and the Kola Peninsula 12 millennia ago are proxied by lacustrine sediments. Geophysical methods help detect traces of ancient earthquakes. Research in the field of paleoseismology has practical applications as well. To predict future earthquakes, it is important to understand the patterns of their recurrence in the past. This was the topic of the presentation by Leading Researcher at the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS Pavel Ryazantsev at KarRC RAS Learned Council meeting on September 28th.
Seismic events that took place in the territory of our republic and the Kola Peninsula 12 millennia ago are proxied by lacustrine sediments. Geophysical methods help detect traces of ancient earthquakes. Research in the field of paleoseismology has practical applications as well. To predict future earthquakes, it is important to understand the patterns of their recurrence in the past. This was the topic of the presentation by Leading Researcher at the Institute of Geology KarRC RAS Pavel Ryazantsev at KarRC RAS Learned Council meeting on September 28th.
September 27, 2023
Extracts of algae from the White Sea are potential raw material for agricultural crop growth stimulators
Liquid extracts from brown algae are widely used in practice worldwide. They help to increase crop yields and resistance to adverse environmental factors. However, these commercial formulas are kept secret under their trademarks. Studies by Karelian biologists will help develop domestic products from Arctic algae.
Liquid extracts from brown algae are widely used in practice worldwide. They help to increase crop yields and resistance to adverse environmental factors. However, these commercial formulas are kept secret under their trademarks. Studies by Karelian biologists will help develop domestic products from Arctic algae.