HCVF II in Arkhangelsk region 01 04 2009

HCVF II in Arkhangelsk region 01. 04. 2009, Syktyvkar Dobrynin Denis, Shegolev Andrey

• There are 14 separate areas of intact forest massifs in Arkhangelsk region, their square is approximately 9, 5 million ha or 32% of the region’s forest fund. • 4 intact forest massifs are situated on the boundary of Ark. region and Komi Republic, and one forest massif – on the boundary with Karelia republic. • The protection of intact forest massifs within NPAs system is not enough.

Deforest area (mainly caused by clear cutting) 2001 -2007 (red color) Intensity of logging near the borders of intact forests massifs is more than in the densely populated parts of Arkhangelsk region with good infrastructure. GIS layer from Map Of Centre And North European Russia, 2008 (http: //www. forestforum. ru/gis. php)

Deforest area (mainly caused by clear cutting) 2001 -2007 (red color) Onezhskij peninsula The most problematic areas are Onezhskij peninsula and Dvina. Pinega watershed Dvina-Pinega intact forest massif GIS layer from Map Of Centre And North European Russia, 2008 (http: //www. forestforum. ru/gis. php)

Dvina-Pinega intact forest massif • Virgin forest landscape (mainly spruce old-growth forests) with natural dynamic for last 3 500 years. • About 1 million ha area • High level of biodiversity and landscape diversity. • Habitats of many rare and endangered species. • Climate regulation and outward flow control. • Cultural and historical values, area of traditional nature use. • Tourism development potential.

Dvina-Pinega intact forest massif The massif is not protected by current NPAs and its area is decreasing because of clear cutting. The most dangerous situation is fragmentation of massif and loss of his values.

Dvina-Pinega intact forest massif. Spruce mortality. • The process of spruce mortality is going on during 8 -10 last years. • The spruce mortality – is not an ecocatastrophe! Natural forest remains natural forest with good forest regeneration and prior level of biodiversity. • Gravity of the fire situation is overstated very often. • However, spruce mortality is a cause of some social and economic problems, because forests’ value as resource of wood (especially saw-wood) is decreasing. • Clear cutting cannot be the only tool for solution of the problem. The complex approach is needed!

The climate projects and model forest can be an additional opportunity for cooperation of the stakeholders

Onezhskij peninsula • Intact forest landscape. • Landscape diversity. • Biotopes for rare species. • Climate regulation. • Cultural and historical values, area of traditional nature use. • Tourism development potential.

The National park “Onezhskoe Pomorie” is founded on the Onezhskij peninsula. Unfortunately, this process is proceeding extremely slow. Now the ecological reassessment is needed. Intact forest area Clear cut area 2000 -2007 Future national park Onezhskoe Pomorie Arkhangelsk

Transboundary intact forest landscapes of Arkhangelsk region and Komi republic are important areas for nature protection. The working with these areas will be continued in frame of the project «HCVF of North. West Russia» , supported by Mondi.