Scientific publications

The main part of Karelia is located in the subzone of the Northern Taiga. The Kostomuksha nature reserve (KR) (~ 490 km2) and Kalevala National Park (KNP) (~ 740 km2) were created to preserve taiga forests in the context of increasing anthropogenic pressure. These protected areas are located on the NW of Karelia, near the border with Finland. North taiga landscapes of KR and KNP create optimal habitats for the birds of taiga fauna. Recent studies have shown a downward trend in the number of taiga birds throughout Northern Europe and the continuing decline in the area of taiga forests. Therefore, the importance of specially protected natural areas as reserves of the taiga avifauna increases. In order to assess the current state of the avifauna of KR and KNP, we carried out a series of surveys in 2015-2019. The aim of the study was to identify the biodiversity of birds and to analyze the impact of economic activity near KR and KNP on their avifauna. At the end of 5 seasons, 113 species of birds belonging to 34 families of 12 orders were registered in the protected territories, with 91 species breeding there, and 15 species – potentially breeding. The 32 species of birds belong to the taiga fauna group which is the most vulnerable under direct and indirect anthropogenic impact. The regime of protection of KR and KNP creates favourable conditions for the typical taiga avifauna in comparison with the unprotected territories of the considered areas. According to the available data, at the current level of economic development of forests and the size of KR and KNP there is no significant impact of logging on the avifauna of the adjacent protected areas. Therefore, the largest protected areas have high value and are able to compensate for the distant anthropogenic impact.