The Origin of Regional Ecological Problems within the Northern Tyumen Oblast, Russia

Abstract

The northern areas of the Western Siberia are subjected to intensive anthropogenic pressure, mainly by the oil and gas extraction industries, reindeer herding, hunting, and fishing. Localized activities, rather than regional-scale activities have led to the degradation of the natural environment on a regional scale. These processes include (1) transfer of pollutants by water and atmosphere; (2) expansion and merging of oil and gas development sites; (3) degradation of the key wildlife habitats (reproduction sites offish, animals, birds, migration routes, etc.); and (4) more intensive use of remaining pastures and hunting areas by the indigenous population due to loss of large areas of pasture and hunting territories to the oil and gas industries.

Analysis of the existing situation within northwest Siberia suggests that in future the situation will continue to worsen unless there is significant improvement in land-use management and technology of oil and gas industry. Degradation processes may also be exacerbated by global warming. Concurrently local changes themselves may lead to negative changes on the global scale.