Western Siberia in the context of global nature conservation concerns

Abstract

Western Siberia is the largest wetland area on the planet with considerable variety of wetland sites situated in mid-latitudes. This variety makes the region important for the conservation of species, habitats and landscapes. Extensive wetland areas in this region are in a relatively undamaged condition, with little man-caused impact. Accordingly, the most essential wetland sites can be included in conservation activities to achieve maximum effect at regional, national and international levels. Western Siberia’s wetlands are included in international conservation activities through Ramsar Sites. The case of planning a UNESCO World Heritage Site to protect unique watershed peatlands in the southern part of the West Siberian Plain deserves special attention. There should be UNESCO biosphere reserves in the region to monitor long-term changes of the wetlands because of human activities and spontaneous development.

Keywords:

• Nature conservation priorities
• Wetlands
• Western Siberia

Acknowledgements

We emphasize our thanks for the financial support granted by the British fund ‘Darwin Initiative’. The Fund supported a project on the conservation of the biodiversity of the wetlands in the south–east of West Siberia, which revitalized environmental protection processes in the region and exerted significant positive effect.

Any measures on the protection of the Vasyugan peatlands landscape would not be possible without the support from the Global Peatlands Initiative whose financial help was used to commence the establishment of the specially protected natural area.

We thank also Mr A. Butorin of the Russian Nature Heritage Fund who kindly provided consultations on compiling the World Heritage Tentative List for the Great Vasyugan Mire and has also given further support to include the Vasyugan Mire in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

We also acknowledge financial support from a grant in accordance with Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 220 dated 9 April 2010, under Agreement No. 14.В25.31.0001 with Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation dated 24 June 2013 (BIO-GEO-CLIM).