It is demonstrated how the natural wild fire regimes of the past millennia have depended on the landscape characteristics. To this end, stratigraphic analysis of peat deposits (with fire layers dated) was used. Fire frequencies and spreading patterns vary among geographic landscape types most widely. In this context, official statistical data on the number, total and average area of fires in Karelia over 1956–2019 are presented. An outstandingly wide variation of these parameters among years was detected. An attempt is made to explain its causes. We show that the primary factor for the start and spread of wild fires in the weather conditions not only during the fire season in general, but also in individual periods of the summer. On the other hand, a reduction in forest fire frequency over the past decades is due to improvements in the system of fire detection and control. Nonetheless, in some abnormally dry seasons, the values of the above parameters would mount. A record was observed in 1959, when 1872 fires happened and over 97 223 ha burnt down, while the amounts in some other years e. g., 2017, were 35 and 92, respectively. The current situation was analysed as applied to the landscape characteristics of the region. A comparison of two areas (each ca. 1.3 million ha) showed that the number of fires and their total and average sizes differed 3–4-fold (in the period from 1992 to 2019). A conclusion of practical value made as a result is that fire prevention, detection, and extinction facilities should be concentrated in certain areas rather than be spread evenly over the region.

Data are presented on the number and spatial coverage of various categories of protected areas (PAs) in Norway, Sweden, Finland and six regions in the European North of Russia (Murmansk, Leningrad, Arkhangelsk, Vologda Regions, Republic of Karelia and Komi Republic). The specific features of their geographic distribution and protection regimes are described. The conclusion drawn from a comparative assessment of the PA systems is that the Russian territories in question stand out quite advantageously against the neighbor countries. Even if only part of protective forests is included, the share of PAs here by far exceeds the target (17 %) set at the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (Nagoya, Japan, 2010). We argue that the spatial scope (% of total territory) of protected areas and sites cannot be universal for all countries and even regions. The main determinant is the scope of anthropogenic transformation and, hence, the degree to which the natural condition of the ecosystems has been preserved. National and regional PA systems should be built upon the principle of landscape representativeness. Of primary importance in the analysis of the situation is assessment of the adequacy of PAs for conserving the natural environment to secure the survival of the biota – species and populations, first of all red-listed ones and the onesmost vulnerable to human impact.

80-year-old Siberian larch plantations situated on the border of southern and middle taiga subzones in Eastern Fennoscandia were studied. Total surveyed 6 forest sites located in the landscape with respect to the same environmental conditions. After the larch plantations had been planted in 1935 by Finnish foresters, studied forest communities developed without noticeable human interventions. Species composition of larch communities was defined within the boundaries of a permanent plot, on the others the forest sites within the borders of the natural forest associations, which are comparable in size to the size of permanent plots larch communities. Analysis of the forest stand characteristics of the studied forest sites showed that the Siberian larch plantations are well adapted and have a high competition ability compared with spruce and pine stands. The conditions generated by Siberian larch proved to be quite favorable for many species of ground cover: the number of vascular plant species was by two times higher in the larch forest stands than in the neighboring zonal spruce stands of the wood sorrel and bilberry types. The structures of ground cover in the larch forest stands are more complex: first layer was comprised by plant species that prefer low canopy density and fertile soils; the second layer was presented by shade tolerant plant species. At the same time, the projective cover of mosses decreased although the number of moss species and their patchiness were increased. In spite of the markedly different number of species, of the ecological and ecological-coenotic structures of the studied forest communities were differed marginally. The number of species in the larch forest stands increased by both shade-tolerant and light-demanding species. Improved soil fertility in the larch forest resulted in an increase of the number of meso-eutrophic species that are typical for southern taiga zone. Generally speaking, the introduction of larch into zonal communities of spruce forests influences on the structure of ground cover structure more significantly than the variation of biotope factors within the study area.

В монографии собраны и обобщены обширные данные, последовательно характеризующие природные особенности, сценарии хозяйственного освоения, современное состояние и ресурсный потенциал лесов северо-запада европейской части таежной зоны России. В основу исследований была положена оригинальная классификация и карта географических ландшафтов, построенная по зонально-типологическому принципу. Изложены современные представления о так называемых экосистемных услугах. В итоге на примере Карелии проведено районирование лесов по приоритетному направлению лесопользования.

The survey results of artificial stands of Pinus sibirica and Larix sibirica, located in the botanical nature monument, are presented.

An approach for defining ecological corridors within the GBF, based on the information received from the remote sensing of various platforms and large-scale levels, together with the ground data on the structure and dynamics of forest cover, is described.

В монографии дана многоаспектная характеристика и оценка природного комплекса г. Воттоваара, расположенного на крайнем юго-востоке Муезерского района Республики Карелия. Представлены результаты обследования территории пятью институтами КарНЦ РАН. Дана краткая характеристика и оценка общих физико-географических особенностей территории (геолого-геоморфологических, гидрологических и почвенных). Далее описаны и оценены наземные экосистемы (болота и заболоченные земли, леса и ландшафты в целом). В следующей части характеризуются и оцениваются сосудистые растения, мхи, грибы, млекопитающие, птицы, насекомые (со списками видов). Особое место в монографии занимают материалы археологических изысканий. В заключении делаются общие выводы и обосновывается целесообразность придания рассматриваемой территории статуса ландшафтного памятника природы регионального значения.