Presentation-discussion "National park - an element of development of the Magadan region"

On February 13 at 18-30 IBPN FEB RAS opens a discussion "National Park - an element of the development of the Magadan region" in the A.S. Pushkin Magadan Regional Library.
The event is timed to the Russian Science Day, which is traditionally celebrated on February 8.

As part of the discussion, scientists from IBPN FEB RAS and NECRI FEB RAS will report:

1. A.V. Andreev, Head of the Laboratory of Ornithology, IBPN FEB RAS, Doctor of Biological Sciences "Historical Ecology of the Upper Kolyma Basin: Unique Landscapes of the Russian Subarctic under the Ruthless Development";

2. S.B. Slobodin, Leading Researcher, Laboratory of History and Archeology, NECRI FEB RAS "Ancient cultures of the Okhanjisky archaeological region";

3. E.V. Khamenkova, Academic Secretary of IBPN FEB RAS, Ph.D. "Project of the National Park" Chersky "and its prospects"

In addition, on February 13-20, 2020, photo exhibition "National Park" Chersky " works in the A.S. Pushkin Magadan Regional Library.

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Walruses and polar bears. Cape Shmidt.

In 2019, field studies of marine mammals were continued in the area of ​​Cape Schmidt on the coast of the Chukchi Sea. The work was supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in collaboration with the Beringia National Park and the research department of bioresources of inland water bodies and waters adjacent to the Chukotka Autonomous Region, TINRO-Center.

In recent years the area of ​​Cape Schmidt has become the scene of growing conflict between the economic development of the Arctic and the conservation of its wildlife. The coast in the area of ​​Cape Schmidt is the only point where vessels could approach for discharge in the 20th century, and this also served to the development of settlements here. However, due to the annual loss of ice on the Chukchi Sea, this cape became one of the main places of concentration of walruses and polar bears. Having lost their usual habitats on the ice, walruses since 2007 have been arranging rookery at the cape, which protects them from the northern winds. Neighborhood with the village leads to a high mortality rate of walruses and willingly attracts polar bears, since they have no other source of food at this time.

In 2019, field studies at Cape Schmidt were being conducted for 3 months. The abundance and distribution of walruses and polar bears were estimated. Particular attention was paid to the calculation and inspection of dead walruses, as well as the determination of natural and anthropogenic disturbance factors affecting both walruses and polar bears. Collection of information about the conflicts between polar bears and the inhabitants of the village of Ryrkaipiy, was also important, since the end houses were located only 100-150 meters from the border of the coastal rookery, where predators were constantly moving around.

The observations were completed in mid-November, when coastal waters began to freeze, walruses migrated to the Bering Strait, and polar bears began to disperse on the newly formed ice. But in 2 weeks after the end of the observations, a new wave of predators approached the cape on young ice, and a week later there were more than 70 bears there. Residents of the village of Ryrkaipiy avoided tragic accidents; however, they experienced great psychological stress. The government of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is looking for a solution to the problem, and we hope that the results of our research will help to find a way out of this situation in which neither people nor animals will suffer.

Kochnev A.A., Ph.D. Senior Researcher of the Laboratory of mammals’ ecology IBPN FEB RAS

IBPN FEB RAS took part in the Arctic Forum

Institute of Biological Problems of the North, on the delegation from the Magadan Region, took part in the IX Forum “Arctic: Present and Future”, held in St. Petersburg on December 5-6, 2019; it ran with the initiative to create the Chersky National Park.

Within the panel discussion “Development of a system of specially protected natural territories in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation”, E.V. Khamenkova, candidate of biological sciences, Academic secretary of the Institute, made a report “Cherskiy National Park as a component of the development of the Arctic territories”. Elena Khamenkova informed that IBPN FEB RAS is initiating the organization of the Cherskiy National Park - a specially protected natural territory of federal significance. The park includes two clusters: Jack London Lake (Yagodninsky and Tenkinsky Districts) and Omulevsky Park (Susumansky District). The National Park will be not only the hallmark of the Kolyma and the entire North-East of Russia, but will also create a new vector for the development of the region, based on the strengthening of scientific, educational and tourist activities.

The report received a positive assessment; it was decided to include the initiative to create the Chersky National Park in the resolution of the Forum “Arctic: Present and Future”.

Видео: Бережной М.И. и Андреев А.В.

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