Project KA 401: MULTI EFFORT (MULTIple Eco-Friendly Forest use: Restoring Traditions) Ecological landscape planning (ELP)

Project KA 401: MULTI EFFORT (MULTIple Eco-Friendly Forest use: Restoring Traditions) Ecological landscape planning (ELP)

Region Surveys were carried out in the north-west of the Russian boreal zone in the drainage basins of Lakes Ladoga and Onega (biggest in Europe) and west of the White Sea. The area lies at the junction of two North- European physiographic domains Fennoscandian Shield (Fennoscandia) and East-European (Russian) Plain.

Methodological basis Different types of geographical landscape were surveyed using the classification and map prepared in advance. The landscapes were distinguished by genetic types of relief, degree of paludification, and dominant forest vegetation (prior to human impact on the forest cover). The classification was based on the zonal and the typological principles. The former differentiated the territory into the northern, middle and southern taiga subzones. The latter implied that contours similar in all landscape-forming traits but spatially discontinuous were combined into one type. An average area of a landscape contour was ca. 100,000-150,000 ha. Over 30 landscape types have been identified and comprehensively studied. Both the natural and the human-induced change of the landscape biotic components was studied.

The core element for the development of the system of multipurpose (multi-resource) forest use as seen today is ecological landscape planning (ELP). This kind of nature use planning is based on balanced utilization of all kinds of natural resources and minimization of the negative environmental consequences, which is achieved i.a. through conservation of the environment forming and environment protecting functions of the forest cover, biotic diversity, recreational qualities of the landscape. We believe the landscape concept of the structural-dynamic organization of forest ecosystems is an efficient basis for planning multipurpose forest use (employing the hierarchical system of spatial units). An integrated manageable system can thus be created for: 1) sustainable utilization of the natural resource potential, 2) effective recovery of renewable resources, 3) ecologically sufficient and economically acceptable network of protected or restricted use areas. In taiga regions of Russia, the basic spatial unit for ELP would be the geographical landscape proper.

No Territorial unit Example ( in figure) Area, ha 1 2 3 Landscape zone of physiographic realm (ecozone) Landscape subzone of physiographic realm (ecoprovince) Landscape region (ecoregion) Hierarchical system of the landscape-based natural spatial differentiation of the forest cover taiga zone of Fennoscandia 1* north-taiga subzone of Fennoscandia 2 White Sea Lowland 3 > 10 000 000 > 1 000 000-10 000 000 > 100 000-1 000 000 Principle for identification Individuality principle each object is unique, dissimilar from others 4 Landscape (ecodistrict) lacustrine and marine heavily paludified plains with the prevalence of spruce habitats 4 > 10 000-100 000 5 6 Terrain (ecosection) Urochishche (ecosite) marine heavily paludified plains with the prevalence of spruce habitats 5 abraded crystalline bedrock ridges with peaty-gley soils and bilberry pine stands 6 > 1 000-10 000 > 10-100 Typological principle similar objects grouped into types 7 Facies (ecoelement) top of an abraded crystalline bedrock ridge with primitive soils and rupicolous pine stands 7 < 10 *Fennoscandia (Baltic crystalline shield realm) is considered here within the national borders of Russia (Murmansk Region, Republic of Karelia and part of the Leningrad Region Karelian Isthmus)

Hierarchical system of the landscapebased natural spatial differentiation of the forest cover (in the Russian part of Fennoscandia): 1) taiga zone; 2) north-taiga subzone; 3) landscape district. The rest shown through examples of model areas and plots within the district: 4) landscape (three types marked by different colours), 5) locality terrain (two types demarcated by dot line), 6) «urochishche» - ecosite (three types marked by different colours), 7) facies - ecoelement.

The types of zoning carried out were: into forest types, according to forest productivity, to the intensity of pine and deciduous species substitution with spruce, to the tendencies in and specific features of the natural regeneration process in felled areas and reforestation methods, to natural fire regimes, to forest vegetation types, to the biological stocks of medicinal and food plants (bilberry and cowberry leaf, wild rosemary shoots and lichens, bilberry and cowberry fruit), recreational (figure), according to the ecological expediency of final-use clear cuttings, to the diversity status of forest ecosystems, to the principal forest use и другие. A package of the total of 20 maps accompanied by explanatory notes was compiled.

For example. Landscape-based recreational zoning (example of Republic of Karelia). Landscapes with recreational qualities: 1) minimum, 2) low, 3) moderate, 4) high, 5) remarkable.

These materials were the background for the project activities. MULTI EFFORT improves quality of life through improved forest ecosystem services in Karelian regions. MULTI EFFORT actions are applied on model territories both on the Finnish and Russian sides (existing or planned protected areas and research areas are shown with bold and dotted lines, respectively).

ACTIVITY 1. Landscape ecological planning For the model territory of Zaonezhskij peninsula batch of raster and vector data was developed, including information about: topography, geology, quaternary deposits, soils, hydrological situation, forest cover, agricultural lands, settlements, infrastructure and its development. Selka landscapes of the Zaonezhskii Peninsula: natural characteristics, land use, conservation. Petrozavodsk: Karelian Research Centre of RAS, 2013.180 pages.

The book provides a comprehensive description and assessment of the natural complexes of the Zaonezhskii Peninsula selka ridge landscapes. The results of surveys by five institutes of the Karelian Research Centre coupled with the analysis of an extensive pool of published data are presented. They are structured into several major sections. First come the brief summary and assessment of the general physiographical features of the territory (climate, geological-geomorphological, hydrological and soil conditions). Then terrestrial ecosystems (geographical terrains, mires, mire forests, forests, meadows) are described and assessed. The next section is devoted to plants (vascular plants, mosses, fungi, lichens) and animals (mammals, birds, insects), including checklists of red-listed species. Data are reported also on the aquatic flora and fauna (aquatic plants, zoobenthos, fish). Special consideration is given to archaeological materials, analysis of the historical and ethnographical features of the area and its land use history, including the modernity. General conclusions at the end of the book are combined with the substantiation of the expediency of making this territory a protected area. The book is supplied with 59 figures, 22 tables and 8 annexes. It can be reached online at the Karelian Research Centre website in the Year 2013 publications section.

Some examples of ready-to-use maps Schematic map of the Zaonezhskii Peninsula landscape types for landscape ecological planning, and assessment of the types of fire danger Schematic map of terrain types in the model area of the planned landscape reserve Zaonezhskii for landscape ecological planning, and fire danger assessment

Locations of objects within planned Zaonezhskii landscape reserve identified during landscape ecological planning Map of features of different categories in the planned landscape reserve Legend: 1) categories of operating PAs; 2) surviving areas of old-growth and old forests; 3) sites of high value for the flora; 4) wetlands in need of protection; 5) high recreational value sites; 6) archaeological monuments; 7) sites with trout farms; 8) ore deposits and shows; 9) active sand-gravel quarries; 10) abandoned settlements; 11) active settlements; 12) operating waterside protection zones; 13) roads; 14) forest areas in lease; 15) abandoned and active farmland.

According to this methodology for the model area Zaonezhskij peninsula the work on map preparation for fire risk assessment has been conducted at the landscape and terrain levels. ACTIVITY 3. Improving regulating services Development the fuel type and fire risk classification. Developments in methods. Methodology of forest fire risk estimation is developed on the landscape base. This concept includes the risk of ignition and fire spread, as well as the degree to which they affect forest communities and the soil properties influencing forest growth. This technique enables for forest zoning (by fire danger) at all levels of the forest natural organization: landscape (ecodistrict), terrain (ecosection), urochishche (ecosite), facies (ecoelement). Using these data one can concentrate fire fighting capacities in areas of highest fire risk. Results. In general forest fire monitoring zoning is made for the Republic of Karelia on the landscape level.

VII International Conference on Forest Fire Research, Coimbra, Portugal 14 to 21 Nov, 2014

Natural and anthropogenic fire regimes in boreal landscapes of Northwest Russia A. Gromtsev, N.Petrov Forest Research Institute, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences (Portugal, November, 2014) Photo by A. Selivanov

First slide of presentation: Starting late in 2012, applied research has continued with support from the EU FP 7 Karelia ENPI CBC Programme project: MULTI EFFORT (MULTIple Eco- Friendly FORest use: Restoring Traditions) is a Karelia ENPI CBC project (KA401, 2012-2014)

Zoning the region of Karelia as regards regularities of natural fire regime (on landscape level). Symbols: 1. Highest 2. High 3. Medium 4. Low 5. Lowest natural fire frequency

photo by I.Georgievski North-taiga hilly-ridge mid- paludified pine-dominated landscape with highest natural fire frequency (experienced stand-replacing fires (when even part of wetland habitats burnt down) 1-3 times every 300 years

photo by I. Georgievskii North-taiga low- mountain mid- paludified spruce-dominated landscape with lowest natural fire frequency (were affected by fires approximately once or twice in a thousand years)

Onego lake Zoning the Zaonezhskii peninsula (model territory) as regards regularities of natural fire regime (on sublandscape level terrains). Symbols: 1. Highest 2. High 3. Medium 4. Low 5. Lowest natural fire frequency

Vulnerability of a middle-taiga bilberry pine stand to fire depending on spatial connectivity to forests of other types and land of other categories in different types of landscape. Symbols: 1. Highest 2. High 3. Medium 4. Low 5. Lowest natural fire frequency

Human-induced modification of natural fire regimes The total and average size of fires has lately been gradually decreasing. E.g., in the Republic of Karelia (area almost 15 mln. ha of area in total) the indices have over the past half a century ranged within 200-100 000 ha (Fig.), and 50-2500 fires per year. Some large fires affected an area of several thousands hectares (one ignition is 2013 burnt over 6,000 ha). These cases are however exceptional. An average fire in the past decades rarely exceeds 10 ha due to timely detection and quick localization by modern technology. Variation of the total area, number and average size of fires is due to the summer weather alone. Fires are expressly taken under control and eliminated by specialized agencies, using aircraft where needed.

Total area of forest fires, ha Total area affected by fires in the Republic of Karelia (selected data are presented) 120000 100000 97223 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 13806 318 4592 683 992 660 3695 6156 836 528 1518 388 399 197 1956 1959 1962 1965 1968 1971 1974 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2012 Years of observation

The work on book preparation has been conducted by the members of the project from KarRC RAS. At this stage preliminary preparation of the main units of the book is done. The content of the book is confirmed. Approximate book size is about 300 pages with about 60 color figures. Estimated pressrun is not less than 300 copies. Will be printed at the beginning of 2015. The book on ecosystem services and multiple forest use (as a final published results) «FORESTS AND THEIR MULTIPURPOSE USE IN THE NORTH-WEST OF THE EUROPEAN PART OF THE TAIGA ZONE OF RUSSIA»

Structural abstract Introduction 1. Region, the main methods of research and materials 2. General description of the region 2.1 Physico-geographical specificity 2.2 Landscape characteristics of the territory 2.3 Forest site zoning 3. Development of forest cover in the postglacial period 4. Structural-dynamical organization of landscape models of primary forest areas (in pyrogenic and windfall regimes) 5. Historically formed scenarios of forest economic development 6. Present-day condition of forests and forest use General characteristics Commercial forests Protective forests Rules and felling volumes 7. Characteristics of secondary forest growth 8. The main ecological and forestry consequences of anthropogenic transformation of forests Forest cover percent Composition Forest productivity Age structure Biodiversity at the species and coenotic levels CONTENT OF THE BOOK 9.Resource and functional potential of taiga landscapes («ecosystem services») Wood Carbon Berries Medical plants Mushrooms Lichens Water-conservation forests (zones) Green zones Recreational features 10. Scientific basis of the landscape-ecological planning of the multiple forest use and the possibilities for their practical usage 10.1 General conditions 10.2 Priority area of forest use 10.3 Pyrogenic vulnerability 10.4 Specially protected forest areas 10.5 Practical planning on the model sites Conclusion References Abbreviation list Authors' contact details

Major consequences of the anthropogenic transformation of the plant cover in the North-west of the Russian boreal zone for forest ecology and forestry. Apatity, Murmansk region, June, 2014 A. Gromtsev Forest Research Institute, KarelianResearch Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences

The Landscape ecology of boreal forests of European Russia: modern ideas and visions Krasnoyarsk, Krasnoyarsk region, Siberia,September, 2014 A. Gromtsev, Forest Research Instiute, Karelian Research Centre, Russian Academy of Sciences

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