Sobolev, Nocolai BPAN contribution to the Emerald Network implementation in Russia

R.A. Sagitov [1], N.A. Sobolev[2], D.E. Aksenov[3], I.A. Danilova[3], E.S. Esipova[3], A.R. Loshkareva[3]
[1] - Saint Petersburg based charitable public organisation «Biologists for Nature Conservation».
Russia, Univarsitetskaya Emb., 7-9-11. rustam_sagitov@bfn.org.ru
[2] - Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russia, 119017 Moscow, Staromonetnyi Per., 29. sobolev_nikolas@mail.ru
[3] - Transparent World Non-Profit Partnership
Russia, 119021 Moscow, Rossolimo St, 5/22, b.1
The Barents Euro-Arctic Council’s Working Group on Environment has initiated the Barents Protected Area Network (BPAN) Project for promoting the representative PA network establishment in the Barents Region. This is a regional initiative of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA) under The Convention on the Biological Diversity (CBD). The establishment of the Emerald Network of PA as Core Areas of the Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) is in its turn a European input to the PoWPA implementation.
The Emerald Network implementation under the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats focuses on various PA important for long-term conservation of habitat types and wild flora and fauna species of European importance, as well as for bird migrations. Such it realizes the principle of keeping a natural diversity by protecting its most vulnerable elements.
The BPAN project does not understudy this activity but has issued, among other, an accurate e-map of existing, designated, and planed PA The map is combined with the original maps of the land cover, bioclimatic zones, road network et al. The project team has evaluated within the CBD PoWPA framework the regional PA networks, including the systems of Specially Protected Natural Areas in the five Russian administrative regions, developed recommendations on the territorial conservation improvement in the Barents Region.
The Barents segment of the Russian Emerald Network is the most accurate due to BPAN Project outputs. In the future, BPAN project materials will be a basis for establishing the PEEN by improving linkages between its Core Areas.