Scientific publications

The contribution of the existing and planned protected areas of the Murmansk part of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia to the conservation of the populations of bird species listed in the Red Data Books of the Russian Federation and the Murmansk Region is analyzed. The history of studies of the avifauna of each protected area is considered. The areas best studied by ornithologists (Ainovy Islands of Kandalakshsky Strict Nature Reserve (zapovednik), Pasvik Strict Nature Reserve, Kaita Regional Nature Reserve (zakaznik), planned zakazniks - Pazovsky and Vuorjema) and the least studied ones (Laplandsky Les, Kutsa regional zakaznik, planned Ionn-N'yugoajv, Spruce Forests of Alla-Akkajarvi zaka-zniks. and others) have been identified. The avifauna of the study area totals 256 species, including 35 red-listed species. It is demonstrated that the protected areas do preserve a high biodiversity of birds and maintain their populations. The best performance is observed for the Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus, Smew Mergellus albellus, White-tailed Sea Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, Kestrel Falco tinnunculus, Common Crane Grus grus, Dipper Cinclus cinclus and Great Gray Shrike Lanius excubitor. However, for some protected areas of regional status, knowledge gaps need to be filled through implementation of special biodiversity monitoring programs, research on the state of habitats of rare bird species, and assessment of their numbers.