ASU biologists participate in new edition of Altai Krai Red Book preparation

ASU Faculty of Biology scientists, representatives of Altai Krai Natural Resources and Ecology Administration, ecologists and ornithologists of Altai Krai have gathered to discuss the new lists of plant and animal species, special protected natural areas and prepare a new edition of Altai Krai Red Book. Why is it important to reissue the Red Book?

“The Red Book of any level must be reissued every 10 years. Altai Krai Red Book latest edition is dated back to 2006. By the present moment, we have collected the materials on monitoring study and rare species habitats, have performed the preservation and reintroduction of rare bird species. It is worth noting, that the work on keeping and reissuing of the Altai Krai Red Book is financed by the territorial budget resources estimated for “Environment Protection, Reproduction and Rational Use of Natural Resources, Development of Altai Krai Forestry“ governmental program,” says head of Altai Krai Natural Resources and Ecology Administration Vladimir N. Popryadukhin.

“When preparing the new edition of Altai Krai Red Book, we need to accurately specify the threatening factors for rare species of plants and animals, state the protection measures clearly, use the web-GIS data on species distribution, and reconsider the resource plants status. Red Book plants species list has to be reconsidered; it will not change drastically, but will be slightly transformed,” – states Doctor of Biology, Faculty of Biology Dean Marina M. Silantyeva.

“The Red Book must be an instrument that will help us to protect the endangered species. Red Book species list reconsideration is necessary,” summarized Candidate of Biology, ornithologist Nadezhda L. Irisova.