Scientific publications

This study was undertaken to revise our knowledge of the composition of the mammalian fauna of Ladoga Skerries National Park through comprehensive field surveys conducted in the summer seasons of 2024 and 2025, as well as by analysing archival and published sources. The first data on the mammal population of this region were collected in 1999 during an inventory carried out by researchers of the Institute of Biology KarRC RAS. At that point, the list of terrestrial vertebrates of the Northern Ladoga area included 49 species. These results were later used in compiling the official checklists for the planned, and subsequently established, national park. However, new field data and refinement of species ranges called for a revision of the old list. The results of recent studies have led to an update of the list of mammals of the Ladoga Skerries: for islands within the protected area, it now includes 47 species. The list for the entire national park may be up to 52 species, considering the possible presence of synanthropic forms (brown rat, house mouse) and some rare species (wood lemming, striped field and yellow-necked field mouse), whose occurrence, although unlikely, cannot be ruled out under favorable habitat conditions. Compared to the previously published checklist, significant revisions were made: two species whose presence in the park was not confirmed were excluded, while five bat species not previously known for the Northern Ladoga area were added. The updated mammal fauna checklist can serve as a reliable basis for further research and for adjusting conservation strategies adopted to preserve the area’s unique island communities.