Design and implementation of MPAs network in the Russian Arctic: lessons and opportunities

The Arctic is among the regions experiencing the most significant changes. At the same time, it is still one of the most pristine areas of the World Ocean. Area-based conservation measures are considered among the effective... [ view full abstract ]

The Arctic is among the regions experiencing the most significant changes. At the same time, it is still one of the most pristine areas of the World Ocean. Area-based conservation measures are considered among the effective measures of conservation. Although there are a few existing protected areas in the Russian Arctic, they were established on an ad-hoc basis primarily to protect terrestrial biodiversity.

To design an ecologically connected and representative network of conservation areas is the most effective way to protect the biological diversity and ecological processes of the marine environment. A key step on the way to this, is to identify conservation priority areas. To make this step, a study based on a systematic conservation planning approach was conducted by a group of experts under WWF Russia and the Russian Academy of Sciences' guidance. Marxan algorithm was used to produce initial results; then it was discussed and refined to select 47 conservation priority areas in the Russian Arctic seas. 

The resulting network covers almost 25% of the Russian Arctic seas and provides proportional representation of their biodiversity as well as achieving connectivity, sustainability and naturalness.

The Conservation Priority Areas identified during the analysis will be included in the Federal List of Prospective Protected Areas (2020-2030); some of them are already being implemented (Novosibirskie Islands, Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago). The approach caused a series of regional studies intended to provide detailed plans for the new MPAs establishment and integration of systematic conservation planning in Marine Spatial Planning in the Pechora Sea.