Wedding 

Conservation of rare species of plants and animals. Protection of rare and endangered animal species. Organization of hunting use on a sustainable basis

Elena Gangalo, General Director of ANO "Far Eastern Leopards" - about the holiday and not only

On the occasion of the World Wildlife Day celebrated on March 3, Elena Gangalo, CEO of the autonomous non-profit organization Far Eastern Leopards, gave an interview to the organization's website. Last year, which was celebrated as the Year of the 100th Anniversary of Russian Nature Reserves and the 5th Anniversary of the National Park "Land of the Leopard", the most remarkable fact can be recognized as "excellent replenishment": the appearance of 15 kittens was noted in Far Eastern leopards.

As part of preparations for the field season, “winter route censuses of animals are carried out in all specially protected natural areas of Russia.” Employees of specially protected natural areas of the Far East monitor large wild cats, tigers and Amur leopards. In particular, their number will be specified.

Significant work has been done with the creation in 2008 of a new federal reserve "Leopardovy", and, even more so, after the organization of the national park "Land of the Leopard" with an area of ​​262 thousand hectares in the Primorsky Territory. According to Elena Gangalo, the systemic efforts of state environmental authorities, scientific and public environmental organizations undertaken over the past decade have brought tangible results: the observed number of leopards “began to grow”. The population of these animals covering the southwestern Primorye and adjacent regions of China has reached 90 individuals (of which 42 individuals are in China). Research by scientists and their support from the Far Eastern Leopards Foundation will continue.

Noting the stages of formation of ANO "Far Eastern Leopards", General Director of the organization Elena Gangalo noted that the ANO was established in 2011, and its supervisory board is headed by Sergey Ivanov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for environmental protection, ecology and transport. As Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, he “actually supervised this topic, in every possible way supporting the initiatives of scientists and conservationists to save the leopard in the Far East. It was Sergey Borisovich who initiated the creation of ANO "Far Eastern Leopards".

By the time work began on the protection of Far Eastern leopards in Primorye, there were the Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve (small in area), the Barsovy Federal Reserve and the Borisovskoye Plateau Regional Reserve. But they had different departmental subordination and did not initially have a conservation status. Gradually, a model of a new structure was built, and, finally, by a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of April 5, 2012, the National Park "Land of the Leopard" was created. Work on the organization of protection, provision of food supply, conservation of lands suitable for their habitation made it possible to achieve comfortable conditions for increasing the number of taiga cats. Taking into account new broods, the number of leopards has reached 90 animals. Today, one of the largest groups of the Amur tiger in the Far Eastern specially protected natural areas is also concentrated on the "Land of the Leopard": it is about 30 individuals.

Today, with the participation of the ANO "Far Eastern Leopards", research work is carried out, monitoring of animal populations is carried out both in federal protected areas and in adjacent areas. The number of camera traps now reaches almost 400, the observation area is 360 thousand hectares. There is nothing else like it in Russia.

The aspect of combating human threats to leopards, manifested in the form of poaching and forest fires, is seen as very important. According to Elena Gangalo, the organization she leads provides the inspectors of the Land of the Leopard security service with modern technology, equipment and ammunition. In September 2017, in the village of Barabash, a new central estate of the National Park "Land of the Leopard" was solemnly opened - "a complex of buildings built according to a special project as part of the federal targeted investment program." A considerable part of the funds for the realization of the plan was transferred, just to ANO "Far Eastern Leopards". The estate has become a modern scientific, environmental education and educational complex, which involves holding various conferences, scientific seminars and many other events.

Somewhat earlier, in March 2016, the Narva road tunnel began to operate. Being located on the highway separating the Land of the Leopard National Park and the Kedrovaya Pad Nature Reserve, it "was built for the first time in our country precisely with the aim of minimizing the impact of the highway on the populations of large predators - the Far Eastern leopard and the Amur tiger." And this project has fully justified itself, because with its help it is possible to ensure almost unhindered communication between the two territories, and according to this ecoduct, tigers and leopards, tigers and leopards move from one of them to another.

Two plots of land in the Khasansky district of Primorsky Krai with a total area of ​​12,000 hectares were donated to ANO "Far Eastern Leopards" in 2017 by a major businessman. These territories "will become part of the Land of the Leopard National Park as a cluster for scientific research and educational tourism."

Among other important work, Elena Gangalo named activities to popularize the idea of ​​​​preserving the Far Eastern leopard - interaction with the media, organizing exhibitions and other events, among which an important place is occupied by the environmental festival "Leopard Day" held in Moscow in August 2017, filming the documentary film "Leo80 . The story of a leopard” and other events. In collaboration with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, ANO "Far Eastern Leopards" held a campaign (PrimReporter has already reported about it) to decorate the urban area in Vladivostok by the famous South African graffiti artist Sonny.

Speaking about the prospects and problems being solved by ANO "Far Eastern Leopards", the General Director of the organization noted the need for systematic efforts to maintain success - to overcome the survival limit of the subspecies - and to create a "sustainable population of the Far Eastern leopard of at least 120 individuals in natural conditions", which can guarantee its success. survival.

In addition to fighting poaching and forest fires, maintaining a sufficient food base for the leopard (the relevance of these problems remains), topical and "preventing the death of wild animals from various diseases", since the risk of a sudden epizootic remains, which "can destroy the fruits of all our efforts in a short time" . To this end, the task is put forward to start cooperation "with the best specialists both in our country and in the world."

Another question is about the expansion of territories associated with the prospect of the return of the leopard to other territories of Primorye. It is possible that leopards will be reintroduced in the areas of the Lazovsky Reserve, in the Ussuri Reserve and its environs, and there is even talk of expanding the territory of the Land of the Leopard National Park.

An important aspect of the protection of the Far Eastern leopard is real international cooperation. Within the framework of cooperation with the scientific and environmental structures of the PRC, the issue of creating "an extensive transboundary (Russian-Chinese) reserve that preserves the habitats of Far Eastern leopards and Amur tigers" is being worked out.

Such work, according to Elena Gangalo, was started back in 2011. Since the approval of the draft agreement between our countries on the creation of a transboundary reserve within the Russian territory (in the area of ​​Lake Khanka), some results have been achieved, but then this process has stalled. However, according to the head of the ANO "Far Eastern Leopards", "now is the time to return to this issue." This is, firstly, due to the intensification of cooperation between Russian and Chinese specialists in the study and monitoring of large cats in the border areas. The second factor is the reorganization of the network of protected areas on the border between China and Primorsky Krai: China has created a single national tiger and leopard park with an area of ​​1.5 million hectares in the provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang. Therefore, Russian experts believe it would be expedient to "immediately begin discussions with Chinese colleagues on proposals for the creation of a Russian-Chinese transboundary reserve."

A separate issue raised in an interview with the head of the organization, Elena Gangalo, published on the website of ANO "Far Eastern Leopards", is the possibility of perpetuating the memory of one of the famous researchers and creators of the PA system, Professor N.N. Vorontsov, who made a significant contribution to the work of protecting the nature of the Far East and, in particular, Primorye.

A separate moment of the dialogue is devoted to the possibility and world practice of creating "non-state national funds that accumulate voluntary donations and implement significant projects aimed at preserving the natural heritage." Elena Gangalo highly appreciated the existing international environmental structures (WWF, Greenpeace, IFAW), but pointed out that “there is a lack of a specialized national fund.”

In Russia today there are also non-profit organizations that collect extra-budgetary funds to support activities for the conservation of specific rare species of animals (ANO Far Eastern Leopards, ANO Amur Tiger Center, and others), but there is a need and a desire to “transition from non-state support for the protection of individual flag species to more systematic work on the conservation of rare species in general”. It is time to talk about the advisability of creating in Russia a national non-state charitable foundation specializing in the conservation of biological and landscape diversity. At the same time, the tasks of protecting and restoring populations, "threatened with extinction of objects of the animal and plant world, and their key habitats, primarily within the boundaries of protected areas," could become a priority for him.

In order to realize such a plan, Elena Gangalo outlined the need to support this kind of activity from the business community: this practice is quite widespread in the world, and it is also being developed in Russia. Moreover, "this is not just a tribute to the time or fashion, it is a tool to increase competitiveness." We are talking about the "environmental rating of the company" as an important indicator of business performance. The topic of social and environmental responsibility of business is becoming more and more popular when communicating with potential investors, attracting new customers. The so-called "green reputation" is increasingly becoming "one of the very effective elements of sustainable development."

As Elena Gangalo emphasized, “... for a serious business, environmental responsibility should not be only a part of the image policy, it should be based on real, tangible deeds, projects that give concrete results. In this regard, the topic of contributions to the conservation of rare and endangered species of animals is very rewarding both in terms of image and concrete results.”

Therefore, the Director General of ANO "Far Eastern Leopards" believes that the project for the conservation and restoration of the population of the rarest cat in the world, implemented by the organization, is almost ideal for this. Today, this organization works with the most successful Russian companies such as Gazprom, Gazprombank, Sibur, SUEK, Sberbank, Russian Railways and others. The project implemented by Primorsky ecologists together with the Rossiya airline is seen as unique: since the spring of 2017, the Leolet has been taking to the skies: the Boeing of the Rossiya airline with the image of the Far Eastern leopard is carrying more and more passengers.

Such achievements allow us to look to the future with optimism.

Speaking about the environmental theme, one cannot ignore the results of the Year of Ecology - in the assessment of the ANO "Far Eastern Leopards", which was reported by the RIA Novosti agency shortly before the New Year.

Thus, a unique exhibition "Eco-treasures of Russia" was held. The fourth all-Russian festival “Pristine Russia” was held, an open lesson was organized at the school, at which nature conservation specialists told students about the amazing rescue of the Leo 80M leopard and introduced students to the work of preserving the Amur leopard population.

On August 27, a big holiday was held in Moscow's Krasnaya Presnya Park - Leopard Day, which was attended by 30 thousand people. And within the framework of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, “a traditional race to protect Red Book cats was held and a charity auction was held in support of projects to protect endangered and rare species of animals in the Far East.”
In the Year of Ecology, the celebration of the fifth anniversary of the National Park "Land of the Leopard" was held, in which a new ecological route "The Leopard Path" was opened.

In a word, good traditions are being continued and developed.

When harvesting forests, significant damage is caused to the animal and plant world, including rare species listed in the Red Book. In many respects, the damage to rare species is associated with the destruction of their habitats. Unfortunately, the Red Book of the Irkutsk region was published in a small edition and is practically inaccessible to the population. People who allocate areas for deforestation are not familiar with rare species and do not recognize them in nature. In this regard, the project is aimed at working with logging organizations and directly with the middle link - people who allocate cutting areas for felling. It is at this moment that the most valuable areas can be saved from felling in order to preserve rare species of animals and plants. To this end, it is planned to hold a series of seminars for logging organizations in the main places of logging in the Irkutsk region - in the cities. Irkutsk, Ust-Ilimsk, Bratsk, Ust-Kut, Kirensk, Taishet and in the village. Trunk, Kachug. The seminars will be attended by employees of medium-level logging organizations that directly allocate sites for deforestation. The seminars will tell (through presentations) about rare species living in the area of ​​operation of the data of the logging organization, habitats of rare species, recommendations will be given on their conservation and on the allocation of key areas for rare species and their removal from exploited areas. Also, within the framework of the grant, it is planned to prepare and publish a field guide specialized for loggers of rare and protected species of animals and plants included in the Red Book of the Irkutsk Region and the Russian Federation inhabiting the forests of the Irkutsk Region. Our organization has experience of holding a similar seminar in 2016 for employees of the Ilim Group in the Ust-Ilimsk region. In July this year, we plan to hold three more seminars for the Ilim Group in Bratsk and Ust-Ilimsk. showed great interest on the part of workers in the conservation of rare species, but unfortunately not all logging organizations can order such seminars.Also, logging operators point out the lack of guides and methodological literature on the conservation of rare species.The author has extensive experience in preparing and publishing guides, including including rare species.Therefore, the project provides for the preparation and publication of a guide to rare species.The results of the project are planned to be covered in the media, both in the regional and district.The result of the project is the preservation of habitats of rare species.

Goals

  1. Preservation of rare species of animals and plants during logging operations.
  2. Preparation and publication of a field guide to rare species of plants and animals in the forests of the Irkutsk region.
  3. Conducting a series of seminars on the protection of rare species of animals and plants for logging organizations of the Irkutsk region.

Tasks

  1. Preparation and issue of a field guide to rare species of animals and plants in the forests of the Irkutsk region
  2. Development of the program and preparation of presentations for seminars
  3. Conducting seminars in the cities of Irkutsk, Ust-Ilimsk, Bratsk, Ust-Kut, Kirensk, Taishet and in the village. Trunk, Kachug.

Substantiation of social significance

The Irkutsk region occupies a leading position in Russia in terms of timber harvesting. At the same time, environmental changes occur that negatively affect the state of biodiversity, including rare species of animals and plants that are endangered and listed in the Red Books. Their habitats are being cut down. To prevent this, it is necessary to train the personnel of logging enterprises, who are directly crushed by the allocation of areas for felling, in the ability to identify and know rare species and about measures for their conservation. To this end, it is planned to prepare and publish a guide to rare species and conduct seminars. The social significance of the project will consist in attracting for the conservation of biodiversity, including rare species, just those segments of the population who are engaged in logging operations and whose actions the conservation of rare species largely depends on. At present, there is a situation where the regulatory authorities cannot monitor the state of rare species, science is powerless here, since the vast areas of the north of the region, where logging is mainly carried out, have practically not been surveyed. Involving workers of logging organizations in the conservation of rare species will help the conservation of rare species and will give a high social effect.

Project geography

Irkutsk region: Irkutsk, Bratsk, Ust-Ilimsk, Ust-Kut, Kirensk and Taishet, the villages of Magistralny and Kachug are the main logging centers in the Irkutsk region.

Target groups

  1. Middle-level employees of logging organizations of the Irkutsk region


Appendix to the order of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia dated April 6, 2004 No. 323

SUMMARY

One of the problems accompanying economic development and scientific and technological progress is the reduction of biological diversity, including the reduction of species diversity.

Evolution is a natural, continuous process of extinction and speciation. However, according to the calculations of paleontologists, climatic, geological and other changes in the earth's surface determined the average lifespan of a bird species of about 2 million years, and of mammals - about 600 thousand years. Only a few species of birds and mammals have a shorter "life" and is measured in tens of millennia. Man has become a kind of "catalyst" for the process of extinction of species, increasing the rate of extinction hundreds of times. The loss of several, and sometimes even one, biological species from an ecosystem leads to a violation of the integrity and stability of the ecosystem, and in some cases can lead to its destruction.

Over the past 400 years, 9 species and subspecies of mammals and birds have disappeared from the territory of Russia. In the list of species exterminated by humans that lived on the territory of Russia, there are also those that, due to the qualities of their gene pool, could be used to improve breeds and breed new domestic animals: tour, steppe tarpan, sea cow (the most promising species for domestication among marine mammals) .

Currently, the main reasons for the reduction of species diversity are:

Destruction, destruction and pollution of habitats;

Excessive removal and extermination of natural populations of animals and plants;

Introduction of alien species (at the same time, the list of invasive alien species in our time can be replenished due to the introduction of genetically modified plant varieties and animal breeds into the economy, the consequences and scale of the impact of which on natural ecosystems and populations of indigenous species are unpredictable);

Spread of animal and plant diseases.

To create and implement mechanisms for the conservation and restoration of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi, a Strategy for the Conservation of Rare and Endangered Species of Animals, Plants and Fungi has been developed.

The Strategy is a long-term planning document and defines the goal, objectives, priorities and main activities in the field of conservation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi.

The strategy is based on the Environmental Doctrine of the Russian Federation, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of August 31, 2002 No. 1225-r, the National Strategy for the Conservation of Biological Diversity, Art. 42 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the Federal Law "On Environmental Protection", the Federal Law "On Wildlife", other federal laws and regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation, international treaties of the Russian Federation in the field of environmental protection and rational use of natural resources, as well as on :

Fundamental scientific knowledge in the field of biology, ecology and related sciences;

Assessment of the current state of rare and endangered objects of the animal and plant world and the impact of limiting factors on these objects;

Recognition of the need to create and implement economic and financial mechanisms for the conservation of rare and endangered objects of the animal and plant world;

Recognition of the importance of environmental education and enlightenment for the conservation of rare and endangered objects of the animal and plant world;

Taking into account the most complete range of partners in the field of conservation of rare and endangered objects.

The strategy also takes into account the recommendations of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), subsequent international forums on the environment and sustainable development, as well as decisions of the Conferences of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Determining the scientific foundations, principles and methods of conservation of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, the Strategy indicates the priority of the population principle of conservation of species diversity and the method of conservation of these objects in the natural habitat. Priority measures aimed at the conservation of rare and endangered species are:

Conservation of populations in their natural habitat;

Recovery of lost populations.

Based on the scientific foundations for the conservation of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, the Strategy defines the following main areas of activity:

Organization and maintenance of state accounting, state cadastre and state monitoring of rare and endangered objects of flora and fauna according to uniform methods;

Creation and replenishment of a database on rare and endangered objects of the animal and plant world;

Entering in the prescribed manner in the Red Book of the Russian Federation (or exclusion from it) objects of flora and fauna;

Preparation and implementation of proposals for special protection measures, including the organization of specially protected natural areas, the creation of breeding centers and genetic banks for objects of flora and fauna listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation;

Development of state programs for the protection of objects of flora and fauna and their natural habitat.

As a tool for determining the main directions of state policy in the field of conservation of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna at the federal level, the Strategy also provides the basis for the development of regional strategies and action plans for the conservation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and mushrooms.

Effective results of the implementation of the Strategy can only be achieved through partnerships between public authorities, public organizations and associations, business structures, international environmental organizations and charitable foundations, as well as with the active involvement of citizens of the country in the implementation process.

INTRODUCTION

Rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi are the most fragile but very important part of biodiversity. Species diversity, due to the long process of evolution, is the basis of the integrity of ecosystems and the biosphere as a whole. The loss of several, and sometimes even one biological species, which seemed to be of little value, leads to a violation of this integrity and can lead to the destruction of ecosystems. As natural communities lose their constituent species, the resilience and resilience of communities to human impacts declines. The extinction of any species is the irretrievable loss of unique genetic information. Any kind of living organism, even if not currently used by people, has potential value, since it is impossible to predict today which biological properties will be useful or even indispensable for the survival of mankind in the future. Rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi are of great scientific, educational, ethical and aesthetic value. Many of them are relics of past geological eras, others have become symbols of wildlife and efforts to protect it. The disappearance of any population, and even more so of the entire biological species, is an irreparable loss for the biological diversity of the Earth and irretrievably lost “opportunities” for humanity.

According to the World Conservation Union (IUCN) from 1600 to 1975. 74 species and 86 subspecies of birds (1.23%) and 63 species and 44 subspecies (1.43%) of mammals disappeared from the face of the Earth. The death of 75% of mammal species and 86% of bird species is associated with human activities.

The relevance of the Strategy for the conservation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi is determined by the importance of the task of their conservation as elements of biodiversity. The need to conserve such species is set out in the Ecological Doctrine of the Russian Federation, approved by Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1225-r dated August 31, 2002, as well as in the National Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation of Russia. At the same time, the Strategy for the Conservation of Rare and Endangered Species of Animals, Plants and Fungi is an important element in fulfilling Russia's international obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio de Janeiro, 1992).

The Strategy for the Conservation of Rare and Endangered Species of Animals, Plants and Fungi (hereinafter referred to as the Strategy) is a long-term planning document and defines the priorities and main directions of activity in the field of conservation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi.

The strategy includes scientific, legal, organizational bases and economic mechanisms for the conservation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi, designed to assist in decision-making at the federal and regional levels.

The strategy is the basis for the development of strategies and action plans for the conservation of individual rare and endangered objects of the animal and plant world, as well as regional strategies.

The strategy is being implemented through partnerships between public authorities, non-governmental organizations and associations, business structures, citizens of the country, as well as international environmental organizations and charitable foundations.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTS OF THE STRATEGY

The purpose of the Strategy is to create and implement mechanisms for the conservation and restoration of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi and their intraspecific diversity to the extent that ensures their sustainable existence.

This goal is achieved through complex actions in the scientific, legal, economic, organizational and technological spheres, while solving the following tasks:

Improving the legal framework and organizational mechanisms for the conservation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi;

Development and implementation of economic and financial mechanisms for the conservation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi;

Development and implementation of a system of categories and criteria for identifying and classifying rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi and determining priorities for their protection;

Conducting an inventory and compiling a cadastre of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi according to unified unified methods;

Organization and monitoring of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi;

Creation and maintenance of the Red Books of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation according to a single methodology;

Organization of scientific research in the field of studying the biological characteristics of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi and the mechanisms of action of limiting factors on them;

Development and improvement of measures for the conservation and restoration of rare and endangered species in the natural habitat and in the artificially created habitat;

Development and implementation of a system of measures in the field of enlightenment and education;

Determining the circle of partners for the implementation of the Strategy;

Development and implementation of necessary measures in the field of international cooperation, including interaction with the CIS countries.

The strategy for the conservation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi is based primarily on the population-species approach. Its objects are rare and endangered species (subspecies) of animals, plants and fungi, their populations and organisms. Although the objects identified on the basis of the ecosystem approach - ecosystems, biocenoses and biotopes, are not the direct objects of this Strategy, the conservation and restoration of the natural habitat of rare and endangered species is a necessary condition and a priority way for the conservation of such species.

Naturally rare species, potentially vulnerable due to their biological characteristics;

Species that are widespread, but endangered or reducing their numbers and range as a result of anthropogenic impact.

Red Data Book of the Russian Federation;

Red Books of the subjects of the Russian Federation;

Red Book of the CIS;

CITES applications;

Applications of international agreements (with the USA, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the DPRK, India).

SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF RARE AND ENDANGERABLE SPECIES OF ANIMALS, PLANTS AND MUSHROOMS

The territory of the Russian Federation, covering an area of ​​17,075 thousand km² (11.4% of the planet's land area), is represented by ecosystems of 8 natural zones: polar deserts, arctic and subarctic tundra, forest tundra, taiga, broad-leaved forests, steppes, semi-deserts and deserts. On the territory of Russia there are large plains and mountain ranges, more than 120 thousand rivers and about 2 million fresh and salt lakes, over 6 million km² are occupied by forests and 1.8 million km² by swamps. Such a variety of natural complexes has led to a significant diversity of the flora and fauna of Russia. On the territory of Russia, 11,400 species of vascular plants, 320 species of mammals, about 732 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, 29 species of amphibians, 343 species of freshwater fish, 9 species of cyclostomes, 130-150 thousand species of invertebrates are registered. Over 1500 thousand marine fish are found in the seas washing Russia. According to tentative estimates, about 20% of the flora and fauna of Russia are endemic species.

A number of species of living organisms are classified as rare and endangered.

BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RARE AND ENDANGERATED SPECIES OF ANIMALS, PLANTS AND FUNGI

From a biological point of view, rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi are divided into two main groups: naturally rare species that are potentially vulnerable due to their biological characteristics, and species that are widespread, but endangered or declining in number and area as a result of anthropogenic impact.

Naturally rare species potentially vulnerable due to their biological characteristics

This group includes species of animals, plants and fungi, which, due to their biological characteristics, are the most vulnerable and have less ability to withstand anthropogenic impact. These include rare, narrow-range, endemic, relict, highly specialized and stenobiont species of animals, plants and fungi, as well as species that enter the territory of Russia at the edge of the range.

Biological features of these species:

small number,

Small area of ​​​​the range (relict, narrowly endemic, edge of the range),

low density,

Low ecological valence (stenobiont, high specialization),

Low rate of population reproduction,

Negative attitude towards human presence.

The main and obligatory sign of naturally rare species is their small number. All other features are additional and, occurring in various combinations, increase the risk of a decrease in the number and extinction of the species.

Small number. All rare species of animals, plants and fungi are few in number. A small number increases the probability of extinction of the population, both due to changes in natural factors and as a result of anthropogenic impacts. There is a threat of extinction of the species, even in stable and favorable conditions, only due to random fluctuations in births and deaths. In addition, changes in natural factors and anthropogenic impacts can lead to populations/species reaching a critical abundance, and this, in turn, leads to a reduction in genetic diversity and a sharp decrease in viability.

Small area of ​​the range. Many species of animals, plants and fungi, which are components of unique or relict ecosystems, have a small area. This group also includes insular forms, species entering the territory of Russia at the edge of the range, and some migratory animal species. The small area of ​​the range increases the risk of extinction of the species, since even local environmental disturbances in a small area can be fatal for this species. Additional difficulties arise due to the limited or lack of control over the environmental situation in the territories of neighboring states.

Low density is closely related to the two previous characteristics. The structure of natural biocenoses, as a rule, is characterized by the presence of a certain number of species of animals, plants and fungi, which occur with low frequency. This pattern is of a general nature. Low density increases the risk of species extinction in a given area, since even the destruction of a small number of individuals leads to local extinction of the species. In addition, low density can be a factor hindering the process of population reproduction. However, not all low-density species need special protection measures, as some of them may have a wide range and a large total population. The objects of the strategy are only those of them that have a low total number.

Low ecological valence (stenobiont, high specialization). The rigid dependence of organisms on individual limited resources or the possibility of their existence in a narrow range of environmental conditions makes them extremely vulnerable. The disappearance or reduction of the resource they need, as well as the destruction of their specific habitats, put such species in a critical position. This can happen even with relatively weak impacts on natural ecosystems.

The low rate of population reproduction reduces the ability of the species to withstand negative impacts on it. Such species simply do not have time to restore their numbers in case of destabilization of the environment or an increase in the frequency of negative impacts on them. With the same level of exposure to negative factors, species of animals, plants and fungi that slowly restore their numbers are always more likely to be endangered than rapidly breeding species. These species include most large animal species.

Negative attitude towards human presence. A negative reaction to the presence of a person is manifested in some large species of mammals and birds, as well as some plants (for example, orchids). Representatives of other systematic groups of animals, plants and fungi usually show a neutral reaction to humans. Animal species that react most strongly to the presence of humans (anthropophobic species) practically do not tolerate the frequent appearance of humans in their habitats. However, the attitude towards a person in such animals can change to neutral and even interested behavior, if contacts with a person do not harm the animals.

Species that are widespread, but endangered or reducing their numbers and range as a result of anthropogenic impact

This group includes species of animals, plants and fungi that have a variety of biological characteristics, which were not previously rare and became so as a result of the impact of anthropogenic limiting factors.

Some migratory species of animals, having a generally vast range, concentrate in an extremely limited area at certain periods of their life cycle. The destruction of such a key habitat or the negative impact on the accumulation of the animals themselves can put the species in a critical situation.

LIMITING FACTORS

The set of anthropogenic limiting factors and the forms of their impact are extensive and varied. The whole variety of forms of impact of limiting factors on rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi are conditionally divided into two main groups: direct and indirect impacts.

Direct impacts are the destruction or removal of organisms of this species from natural populations as a result of excessive harvesting (collection), low culture of harvesting, illegal fishing, collection and collection of living organisms, irrational and indiscriminate control of weeds and pests in agriculture and forestry, death of animals on engineering structures, the destruction by the population of animals and plants that are considered dangerous, harmful or unpleasant, and other actions.

Indirect impacts are a change in the natural habitat of organisms, leading to a deterioration in the state of the species. There are four directions of such influences:

Physical, i.e. change in the physical characteristics of the environment (destruction and change in the relief, violation of the physical properties of the soil or soil, destruction and change in the air, water basin, natural ecosystems) in the process of their intensive exploitation: transformation of vast natural areas into cities and other settlements and building sites, deforestation , plowing of steppes, drainage of swamps, peat extraction, regulation of river flow, creation of reservoirs, seismic exploration and blasting, the effect of electromagnetic fields and radiation, noise exposure, thermal pollution, etc.

Chemical, i.e. pollution of the water basin, air, soil as a result of the activities of industrial enterprises and mining companies (pollution with industrial waste), the agro-industrial complex (pollution with pesticides, mineral and organic fertilizers, pesticides), the transport complex (pollution with industrial waste and oil products), housing and communal services (pollution by domestic wastewater), military facilities (pollution by rocket fuel and fuels and lubricants, raw sewage and emissions), as well as as a result of man-made accidents and global pollution transfer (oil spills, acid rain, etc.).

Climatic, expressed in a global change in climatic conditions due to anthropogenic or natural causes, leading to a radical restructuring of habitats (forest attack on the steppe or foresting of mountain tundra, displacement of natural zones, the appearance of southern species of animals and plants in the northern regions, etc.).

Biological, expressed in violation of the structure of natural biocenoses as a result of human activity (intentional and unintentional introduction) and self-dispersal of alien species; the spread of pathogens of diseases of animals and plants; outbreaks of numbers of certain species; possible penetration into natural ecosystems of living genetically modified organisms; eutrophication of water bodies; destruction of animal food resources.

Various types of anthropogenic activities have both direct and indirect effects, are complex and are accompanied by synergistic and cumulative effects.

One of the main reasons for the state of species that fall into the category of rare and endangered is the destruction or complete destruction of the habitats of these species.

The negative consequences of human impact on rare and endangered species, depending on a diverse combination of impact factors and specific environmental conditions, are different. The main ones are:

Downsizing;

Deterioration of the physiological state of organisms;

Violation of reproduction (violation of gametogenesis; decrease in the frequency and success of fertilization; prenatal mortality, non-viable offspring);

Increase in mortality at the initial stages of development of organisms;

Increased adult mortality;

Violation of life cycles, including migration;

Violation of the sex and age structure of the population;

Violation of the genetic structure of populations, loss of genetic diversity;

Violation of the spatial structure of the population;

Violation of the population structure of the species;

Non-adaptive change in animal behavior.

All these consequences ultimately lead to a reduction in the number and extinction of individual populations and the species as a whole.

The analysis of limiting factors and mechanisms of influence is the most important prerequisite for the development of an effective program for the conservation of any kind of living organism. This analysis should be carried out for each specific case separately and take into account both the biological characteristics of the species and the socio-economic specifics of the region in which it lives.

It is necessary to separate the processes of changes in biological diversity as a result of anthropogenic activities from the natural processes of its development. Natural factors should be taken into account when developing programs for the conservation of biological diversity, but their prevention is impractical, and in most cases impossible. From anthropogenic factors, first of all, those that most strongly affect biosystems or are critical for them are prevented.

The system of criteria is the basis for identifying rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi, determining priority objects of protection and distributing efforts for their protection.

For the protection of rare and endangered species in the Russian Federation, six categories of rarity status of taxa and populations have been adopted according to the degree of threat of their extinction: 0 - probably extinct, 1 - endangered, 2 - declining in number, 3 - rare, 4 - indeterminate by status, 5 - recoverable and recovering.

Probably disappeared taxa and populations that previously inhabited the territory (water area) of the Russian Federation, and whose presence in nature has not been confirmed (for invertebrates - in the last 100 years, for vertebrates - in the last 50 years, for plants and fungi, the dates have not been determined) .

Decreasing numbers include taxa and populations with a steadily declining population, which, if the impact of limiting factors continues, can quickly fall into the category of endangered species.

Rare are taxa and populations that have a natural low abundance and / or are distributed in a limited area (water area) or sporadically distributed in large areas (water areas).

Those taxa and populations that probably belong to one of the previous categories are classified as indeterminate in status, but there is currently no sufficient information about their state in nature, or they do not fully meet the criteria of all other categories.

Restoring and recovering - these are those taxa and populations, the number and distribution of which, under the influence of natural causes or as a result of conservation measures taken, have begun to recover, and which are approaching a state where they will not need urgent conservation and restoration measures.

Identification of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi, assessment of their condition, development of parameters for monitoring and determination of priorities for their protection is carried out on the basis of an appropriate system of categories and criteria. Such a system includes three groups of criteria (both qualitative and quantitative) that allow assessing the relative importance of objects and assigning them one or another environmental status (category):

Biological criteria for assessing the status of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi;

Criteria of the significance of the object for the conservation of biodiversity in general;

Socio-economic and technological criteria.

In addition, it is necessary to determine the procedure for assessing objects and setting priorities. If an object receives opposite assessments according to different criteria (for example, it has a small number, but is distributed over a wide area), the decision on its conservation status is made on the basis of an assessment according to a more significant criterion (in this example, based on a small number).

Biological criteria for assessing the state of species (Table 1) make it possible to identify rare and endangered species of animals, plants, and fungi and give them an appropriate conservation status. These criteria are also the basis for developing a system of monitoring parameters for rare and endangered species.

Table 1

Biological criteria for assessing the status of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi

  • Criterion

    State

    Change trends

    population

    (when assessing trends in change, one should distinguish between natural fluctuations in numbers and its anthropogenic changes)

    high

    Low

    is increasing

    stable

    Slowly shrinking

    Decreasing fast

    Population change rate

    Tall

    Short

    stable

    Increase in mortality and/or reduction in reproduction

    Population structure of the species

    Complex

    Simple

    stable

    Disappearance of local populations, ecological forms

    Density (occurrence)

    Numerous

    Rare

    Unit

    is increasing

    stable

    Decreasing (the species is becoming rarer)

    Range sizes

    (when assessing trends in change, one should distinguish between natural fluctuations in the range and its anthropogenic changes)

    Large

    Narrow

    Expanding

    stable

    Slowly shrinking

    Decreasing fast

    Range structure

    (for individual species, when assessing the structure of the range, one should distinguish between seasonal and ecological modifications of the range: reproductive, trophic, seasonal, wintering and summer parts of the range)

    Solid

    Intermittent

    Spotted

    dotted

    Recovering

    stable

    Fragmentation of the continuous range (continuous areas of the range)

    Disappearance of areas of discontinuous range

    Ecological valence

    eurybiont species

    Specialized (stenobiont in one factor) species

    Highly specialized (stenobiont in many ways)

    There are changes in some factor

    No state changes

    Genetic structure of the population

    (level of genetic diversity in a population)

    High variety

    Low variety

    Recovering

    stable

    shrinking

    Sex, age and social structure of the population

    (It is necessary to distinguish between natural fluctuations in the population structure and its anthropogenic disturbances).

    Optimal

    Satisfactory

    Critical (lack of juveniles)

    Recovering

    stable

    violated

    The physiological state of organisms

    Optimal

    Satisfactory

    critical

    Improving

    stable

    getting worse

    Relative effective strength

    high

    Low

    growing

    stable

    Decreases

    Settlement degree

    Sedentary (habitats are permanent)

    Has a seasonal change of habitats

    nomadic

    migratory

    There are changes in sedentary status (migratory species becomes sedentary)

    No changes

    Attitude towards a person

    synanthropy

    Neutral

    anthropophobia

    Anthropophobia changes to a neutral (synanthropic) attitude

    No relationship changes

    Habitat status

    Optimal

    Satisfactory

    critical

    are recovering

    stable

    are degrading

    Disappear

    • The rare and endangered species of animals, plants, and fungi identified on the basis of the above criteria can also be assessed by their significance for the conservation of biodiversity in general (Table 2).

    table 2

    Criteria for the significance of a taxon for the conservation of biodiversity in general

    Criteria

    Comparative estimates (in order of increasing importance)

    1

    Level of possible genetic loss

    population loss

    Subspecies loss

    Loss of a species from a numerous higher taxon

    Loss of a species from a small higher taxon

    Loss of a higher taxon (genus, family, order, class)

    The role of the species in the biocenosis

    Is not key

    key

    Share of range in Russia (region)

    A small part of the range in Russia (in the region)

    A significant part of the range in Russia (in the region)

    Endemic - the entire range in Russia (in the region)

    The next group of criteria makes it possible to assess the socio-economic and technological aspects of the conservation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi. These criteria are especially important when developing specific programs for the conservation and restoration of these species.

    Table 3

    Socio-economic and technological criteria for assessing a taxon

    Criterion

    Comparative scores

    resource value

    unknown

    High commercial value

    High scientific, aesthetic, recreational, other value

    low value

    The degree of knowledge

    high

    Low

    Monitoring level

    Monitoring is established

    No monitoring

    Technology of artificial reproduction of natural populations

    Designed for this type

    Designed for closely related species

    Is absent

    Socio-economic and technological criteria for assessing a taxon

    The final decision on classifying a species as rare and endangered, as well as on assigning it one or another conservation status (category) is made on the basis of its assessment according to all criteria.

    Creation of a scientifically substantiated and maximally objective system of criteria for identifying rare and endangered species and determining their conservation priorities is a strategic task.

    PRINCIPLES AND METHODS FOR THE CONSERVATION OF RARE AND ENDANGERABLE SPECIES OF ANIMALS, PLANTS AND MUSHROOMS

    Rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi, their populations and individual organisms belong to different levels of organization of wildlife and are characterized by different structure, laws of development and functioning. At different hierarchical levels, it is necessary to determine: principles, that is, particular methodological approaches based on the initial scientific provisions on objects of biological diversity, and the main tasks for the conservation of objects. Based on the principles, methods of conservation are determined - a set of basic methods and techniques for the conservation of rare and endangered species, and on their basis - measures and devices, i.e. specific organizational and technical means of their implementation.

    species principle

    Object: view (subview).

    Initial scientific position: a species is the smallest genetically closed system with a unique gene pool; a species is, as a rule, a system of interconnected local populations, intraspecific forms, and subspecies.

    Main tasks:

    Preservation of the abundance and ranges of species (subspecies);

    Preservation of the spatial-genetic population structure of the species;

    Preservation of the diversity of populations, intraspecific forms (seasonal races, ecological forms, etc.).

    Conservation of populations and species, control over their condition;

    Preservation and restoration of the natural habitat, reconstruction of biotopes;

    Protection of species in specially protected natural areas (PAs);

    Reintroduction (reacclimatization) of species, restoration of lost populations.

    A necessary condition for the sustainable conservation of a species is the preservation of its population structure. Local populations, intraspecific forms and subspecies are carriers of unique adaptations of a species to specific environmental conditions. Their destruction or violation of the normal degree of isolation leads to the destruction of the adaptive spatial-genetic structure of the species that has developed in the course of evolution, the loss of unique adaptations. To maintain the spatial genetic structure of a species, it is necessary to maintain that degree of isolation of populations and forms, which is characteristic of undisturbed natural populations. Both the increased isolation of populations and forms and the destruction of natural barriers between them and their artificial mixing are fatal.

    population principle

    Object: population.

    Initial scientific position: populations represent a form of existence of a species, are elementary units of the evolutionary process and have a unique gene pool.

    Main tasks:

    Preservation or restoration of the number and range of natural populations sufficient for their sustainable existence;

    Maintain optimal health of organisms in populations;

    Preservation of intrapopulation genetic diversity and genetic originality (uniqueness) of the population;

    Preservation of the diversity of the population structure (spatial, gender, age, ethological and social).

    Conservation methods in an artificially created habitat: conservation of populations of rare and endangered species in nurseries, zoos, botanical gardens, implementation of an optimal scheme for the exchange of individuals between nurseries, zoos and botanical gardens to preserve genetic diversity both within individual groups of organisms and in the population as a whole.

    Methods of conservation in the natural habitat:

    Conservation of populations of rare and endangered species and control over their condition;

    Preservation and restoration of the natural habitat, reconstruction of biotopes;

    Protection of populations of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi in protected areas;

    Artificial reproduction of natural populations;

    Technological and organizational measures to protect animals from death at engineering structures, during economic work; assistance to animals in emergency situations;

    Development and implementation of a system of measures to prevent the uncontrolled spread of invasive alien species and eliminate the consequences of these processes;

    Prevention of penetration into the natural environment of living genetically modified organisms and further hybridization with conserved populations;

    Elimination of factors leading to the deterioration of the health of living organisms;

    Reintroduction (reacclimatization) of extinct populations in natural habitats, restoration (genetic "recovery") of small populations;

    Resettlement of populations from habitats inevitably destroyed as a result of economic activity (for example, the construction of reservoirs, etc.) and the impact of natural factors (for example, an increase in the level of lakes with flooding of adjacent lowlands, etc.).

    When preserving populations, their numbers are of paramount importance. Reducing the number increases the likelihood of random extinction of the population and is accompanied by a reduction in intrapopulation genetic diversity. In this case, not only the minimum level of abundance reached by the population is important, but also the duration of the period during which the population was small. There is no single value of the minimum number for populations of different species that exist in different conditions. The minimum or critical values ​​of the number and density of populations, which determine the moment of their transition from a safe state to a state of danger of extinction, can only be determined in each specific case. These values ​​depend on many factors: the characteristics of biology, the rate of population growth, the degree of its differentiation into subpopulations, the nature of the crossing of individuals, the conditions for the existence of the population, etc.

    Genetic diversity, ethological-social, spatial, age and sex structures of a population determine its stability, ability to adapt and the ability to survive in changing environmental conditions. Intrapopulation genetic diversity determines the possibilities of its adaptation and survival in changing environmental conditions, including anthropogenic impacts. The reduction of intrapopulation diversity reduces the ability of the population to adapt to changes in the external environment, makes the population unstable, and reduces its stability.

    The size and genetic diversity of a population are insufficient to assess its state, since a number of forms of human impact on natural systems lead to a strong deterioration in the health of individuals, while the size of populations and their genetic diversity may still remain unchanged or even grow for some time. Therefore, an important indicator of the state of populations, which determines the possibility of their long-term sustainable preservation, is the health of individual individuals in the population.

    Another necessary condition for the full-fledged long-term preservation of a population is the preservation of its typical natural habitat. Long-term and full-fledged preservation of the gene pool of a species is possible only in a historically typical environment for it. If a population persists for a long time in an environment uncharacteristic for it, its genetic structure inevitably undergoes a transformation due to a change in selection directions.

    The population principle should form the basis of a strategy for the conservation of rare and endangered species, since only the conservation of individual natural populations can ensure the full conservation of the species.

    Organismal principle

    Object: individual.

    Initial scientific position: the organism is the smallest unit of life, independently existing in the environment and being carriers of hereditary information about the main properties and characteristics of the species.

    Main tasks:

    Preservation of individual individuals and ensuring their reproduction;

    Preservation of genotypes.

    Conservation methods in an artificially created habitat:

    Storage of genetic materials (gametes, zygotes, somatic cells, embryos) in low-temperature genetic banks, cell and tissue culture banks, as well as seed banks;

    Introduction of species into culture.

    The organismic principle makes it possible to preserve only a part of the genetic diversity of natural populations. In gene banks, various nurseries, zoos, botanical gardens, etc., as a rule, only individual individuals (genetic material) or their small groups are preserved. The genetic diversity of even very large populations restored from individuals preserved in an artificially created habitat will be based only on those genes that the founder individuals possessed (with the exception of new mutations). With long-term breeding in nurseries, zoos, botanical gardens of small groups of living organisms, the genetic processes inherent in natural populations are disturbed in them, and genetic diversity is reduced. The introduction of species into culture also cannot preserve the gene pool of natural populations and species, since significant changes in the properties of organisms and the genetic structure of the population are inevitable during domestication.

    The organismic principle can be considered as the main one only in cases when all reserves for the preservation of the population/species in the natural habitat have been exhausted, namely:

    The species/population has disappeared from nature,

    The threat of extinction for the species/population is so great that it is impossible to guarantee conservation in the natural habitat;

    In cases of uncontrolled introduction and hybridization, leading to the loss of the purity of the gene pool of natural populations

    1. Preservation of rare species. Criteria for the conservation of species.

    2. Biodiversity monitoring.

    1. Preservation of rare species. Species Conservation Criteria

    Rare species are species of animals and plants, the number of which on the planet has decreased so much that they are threatened with complete extinction.

    Each species has a unique gene pool, formed as a result of natural selection in the process of its evolution. All species have potential economic value to humans as well, since it is impossible to predict which species may eventually become useful or even irreplaceable.

    Biological parameters of the species, their analysis and evaluation.Biological parameters should be understood as categories such as abundance, fertility, population structure, etc. Their analysis and evaluation make it possible to compile a biological characteristic and reveal the biological specificity of each specific species at a certain period of time and in a certain situation. Each species of animal or plant is a unique biological and systematic unit (the main taxon of the system) that has developed in the process of long evolution and therefore has a specific set of adaptations to the corresponding environmental conditions of the habitat. This set of adaptations, determined and characterized by the biological parameters of each particular species, provides the potential continuity of the existence of the species in time and space.

    1. Extinct: species(or other taxonomic units such as subspecies and varieties) that are known to be defunct. Careful and repeated research in the places where these species were first discovered, as well as in other areas, did not allow the rediscovery of these species.

    2. Extinct in the wild: species exist only through captive breeding or as adapted populations outside their original habitat.

    3. Are in critical condition: species with a high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.

    4.Endangered: these are species that are at high risk of becoming extinct in the wild in the near future, and which may become critically endangered.

    5. Vulnerable: species that have a high risk of extinction in the wild in the future, and which may become endangered

    6. Required to save: species are not threatened with extinction, but it depends on the conservation program, without which there is a threat of extinction of the species.

    7. There is a close threat of extinction: a category for species that are close to the “vulnerable” category, but for which there is currently no immediate threat of extinction.

    8. Do not need protection: species are not threatened.

    9. No data available: there is inadequate information to determine the risk of extinction of the species.

    10. Unrated: the species has not been assessed in terms of the extinction category.

    These categories correspond to legislation that has a financial impact on land owners, corporations and governments. To clarify the issue of classification, in 1994 the IUCN developed clearer quantitative criteria and guidelines for defining categories in a three-level classification system based on the probability of extinction:

    Assignment to a particular category depends on information on one of the parameters:

    1. Change in the number of representatives of the species.

    2. The size of the geographical area of ​​distribution and population size.

    3. What is the total number of living representatives and the number of representatives that can give offspring.

    4. Whether population decline and habitat loss continue as predicted.

    5. The probability of extinction within a certain number of years or generations.

    The above quantitative categorization criteria are based on population survival analysis methods and primarily assess population and habitat trends.

    A lot depends on the presence or absence of plants on planet Earth. A person can go without food for up to forty days, without water - up to three days, but without air - only a few minutes. But it is plants that supply such an indispensable component as oxygen. Without the participation of plants, there would be no existing atmosphere in the form in which it is now. And, consequently, there would not be many living organisms breathing air. Including the person.

    Reasons for the disappearance

    Scientists warn that in the very near future, at least forty thousand species of tropical plants and about eight thousand species from regions with a temperate climate may disappear from the face of the Earth. The numbers impress (or should impress) each of us. That's what plant protection is for!

    The main reasons have long been known. This is in the tropics, grazing numerous livestock, the use of chemicals that affect the ecosystem, the destruction of natural insect pollinators, the excessive harvesting of medicinal herbs on an industrial scale. And if we summarize all of the above, then the destructive and sometimes thoughtless activity of man as a species living on the planet.

    The ethical nature of the problem

    The necessary protection of plants bears mainly an ethical and moral aspect. After all, there is still no serious scientific justification for this problem. So far, biologists have no answer to questions about what will happen if certain plant species die out, how the general gene pool of nature depends on this, what are the consequences and rates of such a “retribution for evolution”.

    Only a few scientists (for example, Vernadsky) substantiated not only the interdependence of man and nature, but also combined them into one whole - the noosphere, for example. And all these issues (among which, in particular, the protection of plants) require us to resolve in the coming years, while the overall biosystem is still close to its natural norm.

    What does this mean?

    Protecting plants primarily means supporting the natural processes that take place in nature. It is necessary to help restore the disturbed balance and eliminate the consequences of the harmful effects of man, his unreasonable interference in the activities of our common ecosystem.

    It's no joke: over the past few decades, one plant has disappeared from the face of the earth per day, and one animal per year. Terrifying in its cynicism, the genocide of nature! Therefore, the protection of plants and animals that are disappearing from the face of the earth should be a priority for humanity in the near future.

    Red Book

    Of course, it cannot be said that nothing is being done in this regard. From the documents of the state level, protecting and animals, one can recall the Red Book. From plants, for example, more than four hundred species of flowering plants, about twenty species of algae, more than thirty species of fungi, about ten species of gymnosperms and ferns are already included in it.

    Among the disappearing ones are the famous common snowdrop, Crimean peony, Lessing's feather grass, and many others. These plants are under state protection. For their illegal felling, destruction and use, liability is provided (according to the law).

    Protection of rare plants: basic measures

    Of these, the most relevant in the modern world is the isolation and protection of habitats. Reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries are being actively (but not to the extent that we would like) created and developed, which ensure the continued existence of endangered plant (and animal) species. In many civilized countries, programs have been developed and are operating for the all-round reasonable use of natural resources by mankind. After all, if we do not take the necessary measures in time, many plants will completely disappear from the face of the earth, and it will be impossible to fill these gaps.

    botanical gardens

    Botanic gardens and experimental stations play a huge role in maintaining plant populations, studying and conserving endangered species. They contain certain necessary collections of living plants - representatives of local and exotic flora, contribute to the study and cultivation of plants, the creation of new, more productive forms and species. Of the promising developments - research on plant acclimatization, adaptation to new living conditions in other natural zones. Botanical gardens also carry out educational tasks, promote the achievements of the science of botany.

    The role of plants in human life

    Only in recent decades has humanity fully realized the role of plants in people's lives. Although some scientists and educators have long been talking about the fact that it is impossible to allow the disappearance of a single existing species from the face of the Earth.

    With the extermination of greenery, people will lose a lot that the surrounding world contains. Plant protection, in turn, should prevent this. After all, this part is not only a necessary source of health, but also an aesthetic component of the art world, which inspired and inspires many artists and writers to create masterpieces of art.

    But the most important masterpiece is our common Motherland, whose name is planet Earth! And so it is necessary, especially in recent times, for all of us to take care of its green population, so that our descendants can enjoy the diversity of plant life.