How to preserve rare species of plants and animals in the territory of the Nazarovsky district. Strategy for the conservation of rare and endangered species of animals, plants and fungi 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 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 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.

In preparation 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 resources, 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 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. As part 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 extrabudgetary 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 “move 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, "endangered 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, where 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.

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 more precise 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.

Relevance: Every day the economic activity of man is expanding. More and more natural areas are included in it, and it often happens that only specially protected areas remain the last refuge for certain species of plants and animals whose lives are in danger. Such is the reserve "Arga", part of which is located on the territory of our Nazarovsky district.

Problem question:How to preserve rare species of plants and animals in our area?

Methods: study of sources, questioning.

I conducted a survey among students of class 5 "B" (a total of 21 students) in order to identify the opinions of classmates on this issue.

Hypothesis: If a reserve was created on the territory of the Nazarovsky district, then it is of great importance for the habitat and preservation of rare representatives of flora and fauna.

Target: The study of biodiversity and the identification of rare species of plants and animals in the reserve.

Tasks:

• identify the purpose of creating a reserve;

• study its species composition;
• show the need for the existence of a protected zone;
• find out what measures of nature protection are carried out in the reserve.

Introduction

The state complex reserve "Arga" is a specially protected natural area of ​​regional significance. Creation date October 25, 1963. It is located on the territory of the Achinsk, Bogotol and Nazarovsky districts, includes the mountain range of the Arga ridge and a section of the floodplain of the river. Chulym. The total area is 89,885.0 ha, including 489.3 ha in the Nazarovsky district.

It was organized with the aim of protecting and reproducing hunting species of animals, preserving and restoring the number of rare and endangered species of animals and birds that are valuable in economic, scientific and aesthetic terms, as well as protecting their habitats.

Species diversity

The flora and fauna of "Arga" is rich. 466 plant species from 76 families are registered here. The predominant families are cereals, sedges, rosaceae, Compositae, legumes, umbrellas, and borage.

Currently, 13 typical species of animals live on the territory of the reserve: elk, deer, roe deer, fox, beaver, squirrel, hare, hazel grouse, black grouse, capercaillie, mallard, teal, pintail.

Protected species

On the territory of the reserve live and are taken under protection (Regulations on the state complex reserve of regional significance "Arga" dated 19.01.2007):

1. rare and endangered animal species listed in the Red Book of the Krasnoyarsk Territory:

• birds: white-tailed eagle, demoiselle crane, peregrine falcon, osprey, black stork, eagle owl, gray crane, curlew, godwit or marsh wader, moorhen or marsh hen,
• bats: water bat, Siberian tube-billed bat,
• fish: sterlet, sturgeon; lenok;

1. animal species that need special attention to their condition in the Krasnoyarsk Territory: deer, Siberian roe deer; lynx, nelma; medium curlew;
2. hunting animals:elk, sable, brown bear, badger, Siberian weasel, American mink, Eastern European beaver, capercaillie, black grouse;
3. rare and endangered plant species:

real lady's slipper, large-flowered lady's slipper, Siberian brunner, pulmonary lobaria, leafless chin, curly sparassis, incised violet, helmet-bearing orchis, feather grass, Ledebour's gill, Iona's astragalus, spotted lady's slipper, winter larkspur, woolly larkspur.

The ridge itself is a unique landscape complex of island forests among the surrounding forest-steppe and is also taken under protection as a habitat for wildlife.

"Arga" - pantry of medicinal raw materials. Here you can find birch and pine buds, chaga, bracken, May rose hips, common blueberries, common lingonberries, medicinal burnet, oregano, medicinal sweet clover.

Special protection regime reserve

• hunting management and hunting;
• clear and selective felling of forest plantations for timber harvesting;
• mining;
• blasting;
• timber alloy;
• mass collection of medicinal plants, with the exception of the procurement and collection by citizens of these resources for their own needs;
• grass burning;
• industrial fishing;
• washing of any vehicles within the coastal protective zone of water bodies;
• clogging with household, construction, industrial and other waste and garbage;
• travel and parking of vehicles off public roads and so on.

Permitted activities and nature use:

• economic activity not prohibited on the territory of the reserve;
• construction, reconstruction, overhaul of facilities on the territory of the reserve can be carried out according to projects that have received positive conclusions from state expertise in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation;
• use of objects of the animal world for scientific purposes;
• protection, protection and reproduction of forests;
• sanitary and recreational activities on the territory of the reserve;
• selective felling of forest plantations;
• permitted types of fishing;
• recreation of citizens in compliance with the rules of fire safety in the forests and more.

Negative impact on the reserve.

Despite the prohibitions, poaching cuttings of coniferous species (mainly pines), plowing and grazing, collecting plants and fishing, including nets, are carried out on the territory of the Arga reserve. Illegal hunting of animals has led to a strong reduction in the number of hunting species. Often (especially in spring) fires occur. At present, the native vegetation is severely disturbed by logging and fires. The smoke components of the Achinsk Alumina Refinery and Nazarovskoye State District Power Plant (sulphurous anhydride, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides) have a slight negative impact. To a large extent, the construction of power lines and other objects on the territory of the reserve violates the habitat of animals and plants.
Our offers

To improve the work of the reserve, it is necessary to stop deforestation, grazing, ban fishing, strengthen the fight against poaching and stray dogs.

conclusions

Our hypothesis was confirmed: the Arga reserve is of great importance for the habitat and conservation of rare representatives of flora and fauna. Thanks to him, many species of useful, valuable and beautiful plants and animals are preserved and propagated on the territory of our region.

Sources of information:

• Consolidated list of specially protected natural territories of the Russian Federation (reference book). Part II.
  Potapova N.A., Nazyrova R.I., Zabelina N.M., Isaeva-Petrova L.S., Korotkov V.N., Ochagov D.M.
  Moscow: VNII Nature (2006): 364
• Atlas of Specially Protected Natural Territories of the Siberian Federal District
  Kalikhman T.P., Bogdanov V.N., Ogorodnikova L.Yu.
  Irkutsk, Ottisk Publishing House (2012) : 384
• State Cadastre of Specially Protected Natural Territories
• http://zakon.krskstate.ru/doc/5311

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 areas of activity 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.

Being 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 a 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 for people. 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 presence 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

table 2

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

Table 3

Socio-economic and technological criteria for assessing a taxon

The main task of protecting rare and endangered species is to achieve such increasing their numbers which would eliminate the danger of their disappearance.

Rare and endangered species of animals (as well as plants) are listed in the Red Books. The inclusion of a species in the Red Book is a signal of the danger threatening it, of the need to take urgent measures to save it. Each country in whose territory a species included in the Red Book lives is responsible to its people and all mankind for its conservation.

In our country, in order to preserve rare and endangered species, reserves, wildlife sanctuaries are organized, animals are settled in areas of their former distribution, fed, shelters and artificial nests are created, and they are protected from predators and diseases. At very low numbers, animals are bred in captivity (nurseries and zoos) and then released into conditions suitable for them.

Protection and restoration of the number of game animals

Of particular importance is the conservation and restoration of the number of game animals. As you know, the value of game animals lies in the fact that they live off natural food that is inaccessible or unsuitable for domestic animals; they do not need to be specially taken care of. From game animals, a person receives meat, furs, leather, raw materials for the perfume industry and medicines. For some peoples of the North, hunting for wild animals is the basis of their existence.

Among game animals, fish, birds and animals are of the greatest importance. Centuries-old, constantly increasing extraction, as well as changes in their habitat, led in the first half of this century to a sharp reduction in their reserves. Of the mammals, the stocks of ungulates, furs and sea ​​animals. There was even an opinion that they could only survive in nature reserves. However, the successful restoration of the number of some species - elk, beaver, sable - made it possible to include them again in the number of game animals.

Among hunting and commercial birds, waterfowl, chicks and bustards were especially hard hit by human fault. The number of geese, swans, and geese has greatly decreased. Red-throated goose, lesser swan, white and mountain geese, Caucasian black grouse, bustard and many other species are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation (see the relevant section Examples and additional information).

Security system of wild animals, on the one hand, from measures to protect the animals themselves from direct extermination, death from natural disasters, and on the other hand, from measures to preserve their habitat. The animals themselves are protected by hunting laws. They provide for a complete ban on hunting for rare species and restrictions on the timing, norms, places and methods of hunting for other commercial species.

Rational use stocks of game animals does not contradict their protection, if based on knowledge of their biology.

It is known that in populations animals, there is a certain reserve of non-breeding individuals, they are able to increase fertility with a low number and abundance of food. It is possible to achieve the well-being of populations of game animals by maintaining a certain ratio of sex and age groups, by regulating the number of predatory animals.

The protection of hunting grounds is based on knowledge of the habitat conditions necessary for the life of commercial species, the availability of shelters, suitable places for nesting, and an abundance of food. Often the optimal places for the existence of species are nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

Reacclimatization of the species - this is its artificial resettlement in the areas of its former distribution. It is often successful, because in this case the view takes its former ecological niche . Acclimatization new species requires a lot of preliminary preparation, including the preparation of forecasts of their impact on local fauna and their possible role in biocenoses . Experience acclimatization testifies to many failures. The importation to Australia in 1859 of 24 rabbits, which in tens of years gave rise to many millions of offspring, led to a national disaster. Breeding rabbits began to compete for food with local animals. Settling in pastures and destroying vegetation, they brought great damage to sheep breeding. The fight against rabbits required a lot of effort and a long time. There are many such examples. Therefore, the resettlement of each species should be preceded by a thorough study of the possible consequences of the introduction of the species to a new territory on the basis of ecological expertise and forecast.

Timely measures taken allow us to successfully maintain the required number of game animals and use them for a long time.

Modern problems of water resources The problems of clean water and the protection of aquatic ecosystems are becoming more acute as the historical development of society, the impact on nature caused by scientific and technological progress is rapidly increasing. Already now, in many parts of the world, there are great difficulties in providing water supply and water use as a result of the qualitative and quantitative depletion of water resources, which is associated with pollution and irrational use of water. Water pollution mainly occurs due to the discharge of industrial, domestic and agricultural waste into it. In some reservoirs, pollution is so great that they have completely degraded as sources of water supply. A small amount of pollution cannot cause a significant deterioration in the condition of a reservoir, since it has the ability of biological purification, but the problem is that, as a rule, the amount of pollutants discharged into the water is very large and the reservoir cannot cope with their neutralization. Water supply and water use is often complicated by biological interference: overgrowing of canals reduces their capacity, algae blooms worsen water quality, its sanitary condition, and fouling interferes with navigation and the functioning of hydraulic structures. Therefore, the development of measures with biological interference acquires great practical importance and becomes one of the most important problems in hydrobiology. Due to the violation of the ecological balance in water bodies, there is a serious threat of a significant deterioration of the ecological situation as a whole. Therefore, mankind faces a huge task of protecting the hydrosphere and maintaining biological balance in the biosphere. The problem of pollution of the oceans Oil and oil products are the most common pollutants in the oceans. By the beginning of the 1980s, about 6 million tons of oil were annually entering the ocean, which accounted for 0.23% of world production. The greatest losses of oil are associated with its transportation from production areas. Emergencies, discharge of washing and ballast water overboard by tankers - all this leads to the presence of permanent pollution fields along sea routes. In the period 1962-79, about 2 million tons of oil entered the marine environment as a result of accidents. Over the past 30 years, since 1964, about 2,000 wells have been drilled in the World Ocean, of which 1,000 and 350 industrial wells have been equipped in the North Sea alone. Due to minor leaks, 0.1 million tons of oil are lost annually. Large masses of oil enter the seas along rivers, with domestic and storm drains. The volume of pollution from this source is 2.0 million tons/year. Every year, 0.5 million tons of oil enters with industrial effluents. Getting into the marine environment, oil first spreads in the form of a film, forming layers of various thicknesses. The oil film changes the composition of the spectrum and the intensity of light penetration into the water. Light transmission of thin films of crude oil is 1-10% (280nm), 60-70% (400nm). A film with a thickness of 30-40 microns completely absorbs infrared radiation. When mixed with water, oil forms an emulsion of two types: direct - "oil in water" - and reverse - "water in oil". When volatile fractions are removed, oil forms viscous inverse emulsions, which can remain on the surface, be carried by the current, wash ashore and settle to the bottom. Pesticides. Pesticides are a group of man-made substances used to control pests and plant diseases. It has been established that pesticides, destroying pests, harm many beneficial organisms and undermine the health of biocenoses. In agriculture, the problem of the transition from chemical (polluting the environment) to biological (environmentally friendly) methods of pest control has long been faced. The industrial production of pesticides is accompanied by the appearance of a large number of by-products that pollute wastewater. Heavy metals. Heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, arsenic) are common and highly toxic pollutants. They are widely used in various industrial productions, therefore, despite the treatment measures, the content of heavy metal compounds in industrial wastewater is quite high. Large masses of these compounds enter the ocean through the atmosphere. Mercury, lead and cadmium are the most dangerous for marine biocenoses. Mercury is transported to the ocean with continental runoff and through the atmosphere. During the weathering of sedimentary and igneous rocks, 3.5 thousand tons of mercury are released annually. The composition of atmospheric dust contains about 12 thousand tons of mercury, and a significant part is of anthropogenic origin. About half of the annual industrial production of this metal (910 thousand tons/year) ends up in the ocean in various ways. In areas polluted by industrial waters, the concentration of mercury in solution and suspension is greatly increased. Contamination of seafood has repeatedly led to mercury poisoning of the coastal population. Lead is a typical trace element found in all components of the environment: in rocks, soils, natural waters, the atmosphere, and living organisms. Finally, lead is actively dissipated into the environment during human activities. These are emissions from industrial and domestic effluents, from smoke and dust from industrial enterprises, from exhaust gases from internal combustion engines. Thermal pollution. Thermal pollution of the surface of reservoirs and coastal marine areas occurs as a result of the discharge of heated wastewater from power plants and some industrial production. The discharge of heated water in many cases causes an increase in water temperature in reservoirs by 6-8 degrees Celsius. The area of ​​heated water spots in coastal areas can reach 30 square meters. km. A more stable temperature stratification prevents water exchange between the surface and bottom layers. The solubility of oxygen decreases, and its consumption increases, since the activity of aerobic bacteria that decompose organic matter increases with increasing temperature. The species diversity of phytoplankton and the entire flora of algae is increasing. Freshwater pollution The water cycle, this long way of its movement, consists of several stages: evaporation, cloud formation, rainfall, runoff into streams and rivers, and again evaporation. Throughout its path, water itself is able to be cleaned of contaminants that enter it - decay products of organic substances, dissolved gases and minerals, suspended solids. In places of large concentrations of people and animals, natural clean water is usually not enough, especially if it is used to collect sewage and transfer it away from settlements. If not much sewage enters the soil, soil organisms process them, reusing nutrients, and already clean water seeps into neighboring watercourses. But if the sewage immediately enters the water, they rot, and oxygen is consumed for their oxidation. The so-called biochemical oxygen demand is created. The higher this requirement, the less oxygen remains in the water for living microorganisms, especially for fish and algae. Sometimes, due to lack of oxygen, all living things die. Water becomes biologically dead; only anaerobic bacteria remain in it; they thrive without oxygen and in the course of their life they emit hydrogen sulfide - a poisonous gas with a specific smell of rotten eggs. The already lifeless water acquires a putrid smell and becomes completely unsuitable for humans and animals. This can also happen with an excess of substances such as nitrates and phosphates in the water; they enter the water from agricultural fertilizers in the fields or from sewage contaminated with detergents. These nutrients stimulate the growth of algae, algae begin to consume a lot of oxygen, and when it becomes insufficient, they die. Under natural conditions, the lake, before silting up and disappearing, exists for about 20 thousand years. An excess of nutrients accelerates the aging process and reduces the life of the lake. Oxygen is less soluble in warm water than in cold water. Some businesses, especially power plants, consume huge amounts of water for cooling purposes. The heated water is discharged back into the rivers and further disrupts the biological balance of the water system. Reduced oxygen content prevents the development of some living species and gives an advantage to others. But these new, heat-loving species also suffer greatly as soon as water heating stops. Organic waste, nutrients and heat interfere with the normal development of freshwater ecosystems only when they overload those systems. But in recent years, ecological systems have been bombarded with huge quantities of absolutely alien substances, from which they know no protection. Agricultural pesticides, metals and chemicals from industrial wastewater have managed to enter the aquatic food chain with unpredictable consequences. Species at the beginning of the food chain can accumulate these substances at dangerous levels and become even more vulnerable to other harmful effects. Polluted water can be purified. Under favorable conditions, this occurs naturally in the process of the natural water cycle. But polluted basins - rivers, lakes, etc. - take much longer to recover. In order for natural systems to be able to recover, it is necessary, first of all, to stop the further flow of waste into rivers. Industrial emissions not only clog, but also poison wastewater. In spite of everything, some municipalities and industries still prefer to dump their waste into neighboring rivers and are very reluctant to do so only when the water becomes completely unusable or even dangerous. In its endless cycle, water either captures and carries a lot of dissolved or suspended substances, or is cleared of them. Many of the impurities in the water are natural and get there with rain or groundwater. Some of the pollutants associated with human activities follow the same path. Smoke, ash and industrial gases, together with rain, fall to the ground; chemical compounds and sewage introduced into the soil with fertilizers enter the rivers with groundwater. Some waste follows artificially created paths - drainage ditches and sewer pipes. These substances are usually more toxic but easier to control than those carried in the natural water cycle. Global water consumption for economic and domestic needs is approximately 9% of the total river flow. Therefore, it is not the direct water consumption of hydro resources that causes a shortage of fresh water in certain regions of the globe, but their qualitative depletion. Over the past decades, industrial and municipal effluents have become an increasingly significant part of the fresh water cycle. About 600-700 cubic meters are consumed for industrial and domestic needs. km of water per year. Of this volume, 130-150 cubic meters are irretrievably consumed. km, and about 500 cubic meters. km of waste, the so-called waste water is discharged into rivers, lakes and seas.