Brief description of the projects
for the Strategy 2

Aim

Unification of the monitoring system of Lake Ladoga

Tasks

1. Development of a rational and formalised concept for monitoring of Lake Ladoga

2. Elaboration of a developmental programme for a key scientific, educational and information centre in the system of organisations and institutions responsible for sustainable development of Lake Ladoga (at the Valaam island meteorological station)

Activities

1. To analyse the existing monitoring schemes of the organisations and companies in charge

2. To set up the steering committee for unification of the Lake Ladoga monitoring schemes

3. To develop an integrated testing system for water and coastal ecosystems and produce a manual for test applications

4. To reconstruct the Valaam island meteorological station and create a centre for implementation of the Lake Ladoga unified monitoring programme on its basis

Time-frame

Duration of the project - 24 months

Budget

115 000 EURO

Notes

Partners: St. Petersburg Naturalists Society; Meteorological Station "Valaam"; Zoological Institute of Russian Academy of Sciences; St. Petersburg State University; Institute of Limnology of Russian Academy of Sciences; Institute of Biology of Karelian Research Centre of RAS

2.2. - "Bioindication and monitoring of old-growth forests in the Lake Ladoga region"

Aim

Development of a test-system for identification and monitoring of undisturbed old-growth forest ecosystems in the Ladoga region

Tasks

1. Elaboration of an easy technique for identification of the state of old-growth forests using lichen and fungi indicator-species

2. Dissemination of the technique to foresters, PA administrations, other involved organizations, as well as to schools and eco-groups

Activities

1. Inventory of lichen flora and mycobiota in model old-growth forests in the region

2. Identification of indicator-species and complexes and evaluation of their dynamics depending on the degree of the ecosystem disturbance

3. Elaboration of guidelines for application of the technique

4. Preparation, publication and distribution of the brochure, explaining the practical use of the technique in the field

Time-frame

Duration of the project - 24 months

Budget

19 000 EURO

Notes

Partners: St.Petersburg Naturalists Society, St. Petersburg Forestry Academy, Nizhnesvirsky strict nature reserve

2.3. - "Alien species risk assessment and management plan for the Lake Ladoga Basin"

Aim

To ensure stable natural development of the Lake Ladoga ecosystems

Tasks

1. Risk assessment of alien species introduction

2. Development of the biodiversity monitoring and research strategies

3. Development of control measures for already established alien species

4. Development of preventive measures against new introductions in the Lake Ladoga basin

Activities

1. Survey of aquatic flora and fauna to detect alien species, and development of a geographic information system (GIS)

2. Study of the biology and ecology of established alien species, and environmental impact assessment (consequences for natural biodiversity and biological communities in the Lake Ladoga Basin)

3. Assessment of the risk of new alien species introductions, with regard to increasing shipping activities in the area

4. Development of scientifically-based management actions for control and prevention of unwanted introductions in the framework of sustainable development of the area

5. Development of appropriate legislative proposals

6. Development and dissemination of information and educational materials for the general public

Time-frame

Duration of the project - 24 months

Budget

26 000 EURO

Notes

Partners: Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St.Petersburg State University, Institute of Limnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, for Lake Research,. St.Petersburg Naturalists Society.

2.4. - "Conservation of endemic aquatic organisms in Lake Ladoga and its drainage area"

Aim

Conservation of Atlantic sturgeon, Ladoga salmon and trout, Volkhov whitefish and freshwater pearl-mussel in the Lake Ladoga area

Tasks

1. Evaluation of endemic as well as rare and endangered aquatic organism populations

2. Development of a set of measures to ensure preservation and restoration of these populations

Activities

1. To inventory endemic and rare species and identify their dynamics

2. To identify major threats to these populations

3. To develop a technical scheme to minimise the negative anthropogenic effect on endemic and rare species populations

4. To involve representatives of amateur and commercial fisheries into the project implementation

Time-frame

Duration of the project - 24 months

Budget

24 000 EURO

Notes

Partners: St. Petersburg Naturalists Society; State Fisheries Committee for the North-west; Government of the Leningrad region; environmental NPO and regional unions of amateur fishermen; St. Petersburg State University; State Research Institute for Inland Water Economy (St. Petersburg); Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Karelian Research Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences

2.5. - "Conservation strategy and development of rescue measures for an endangered species - European mink (Mustela lutrola L.) in the Lake Ladoga area"

Aim

Rescue and restoration of the European mink populations in the Lake Ladoga region

Tasks

1. To identify the reasons for extinction of the European mink

2. To develop a strategy to rescue the species populations

3. To implement priority activities for restoration of the species.

Activities

1. Assessment of the present state of the species populations in the Lake Ladoga area and their adaptation capacities

2. Development of a system of measures for protection and restoration of disturbed populations

3. Evaluation of the state of the Valaam archipelago islands in Lake Ladoga as a place for the organization of the species management area

4. Reintroduction of the species to the Lake Ladoga islands where expansion of American mink was not recorded

5. Starting a campaign on informing the local people about the species and their involvement in the species conservation

Time-frame

Duration of the project - 2000 - 2002

Budget

14 000 EURO p.a.

Notes

The project will serve as an example for the development and implementation of similar activities, such as rescue measures for the European beaver which is being displaced by American beaver

2.6. - "Ladoga ringed seal"

Aim

To ensure stability of the Ladoga seal population

Tasks

1. To determine the present state of the Ladoga ringed seal population and map the abundance and distribution of the species

2. To study Ladoga seal as an indicator-species of the state of the Lake Ladoga ecosystem

3. To use the Ladoga seal as a flag-species for educational and awareness programmes, tourist attraction, etc.

Activities

1. Estimation of the spatial structure of the population

2. Identification of the risk factors for the species, their ranking with regard to the effect on the population

3. Delineation of the Lake Ladoga most important sites (water area and islands) for the species survival with view to further protection

4. Development and implementation of an awareness programme on the Ladoga seal.

Time-frame

Duration of the project - 18 months

Budget

25 000 EURO

Notes

To be implemented in co-operation with Finnish Forest and Park Service, Eastern Finland Park Area, Saimaa Ringed Seal Project

2.7. - "Management of the Ladoga region game resources"

Aim

To ensure sustainable use and reproduction of the game animal and bird species

Tasks

1. Development of a science-based game resource management strategy for the region

2. Promotion of game tourism development

Работа

1. Evaluation of the state of game species habitats and trends in abundance dynamics

2. Identification and preparation of proposals for protection of the areas most valuable for maintenance of the game animal and bird populations

3. Development of a system of biotechnical measures aimed at raising the resource potential of the species of concern, including their reproduction and utilisation

4. Development of recommendations for optimisation of game management and hunting regulations

5. Evaluation of the most promising areas for the development of the game tourism and preparation of recommendations on the use of such areas and their resources

Time-frame

Duration of the project - 24 months

Budget

29 000 EURO

2.8. - "Optimisation of the fish resource utilisation in Lake Ladoga"

Aim

To ensure long-term sustainability of economically important fish populations in Lake Ladoga

Tasks

1. To obtain data on the actual use of the fish resources

2. To develop recommendations for preservation and restoration of fish stocks in the lake

Работа

1. Assessment of the present state, distribution and use of fish resources in the lake

2. Development of proposals to protect parts of the lake and coastal zone essential for maintenance of commercially important fish populations

3. Development of recommendations on allowable utilisation of the fish resources

4. Promotion of co-ordination in fisheries between Republic of Karelia and the Leningrad region

Time-frame

Duration of the project - 24 months

Budget

38 000 EURO

2.9. - "Development of the network of protected areas in the Lake Ladoga area"

Aim

Harmonisation of the PA networks in the Ladoga region subjects of the Russian Federation

Tasks

1. To ensure preservation of the characteristic examples of biological and landscape diversity in the Ladoga region

2. To elaborate an integrated programme for the development of PA network

Работа

1. Analysis and updating of available data on biological and landscape diversity in existing and planned PA

2. Evaluation of the anthropogenic impact on PA's in the region

3. Elaboration of recommendations on development of PA network in the region

4. Development of a system for information and experience exchange within the network

Time-frame

Duration of the project - 18 months

Budget

22 000 EURO

2.10. - "Protection of wetlands and waterfowl"

Aim

Assistance to implementation of international programmes on wetland preservation and conservation of rare birds

Tasks

1. To analyse the present state and dynamics of bird fauna in the eastern Lake Ladoga area

2. To develop recommendations for protection of wetlands most important for maintaining populations of rare birds and migrating birds in particular

Activities

1. Identification of the abundance and dynamics of rare and migrating birds

2. Identification of the areas essential for maintaining the bird fauna

3. Enhancement of cooperation with European countries in protection of rare and migrating birds (Bird Directive, Habitat Directive, etc.)

Time-frame

Duration of the project - 24 months

Budget

15 000 EURO

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