Nature Conservation Research: Заповедная наука (Feb 2017)
The experience of atlas mapping of especially valuable natural objects and systems (a case study of Geyzernaya river valley in the Kronotsky Reserve)
Abstract
The Geyzernaya river valley in Kamchatka (Russia) is one of the five largest geyser fields in the world, and it is the only one in Eurasia. Outstanding esthetic values as well as the unique biological and ecological features of the valley's ecosystem attract a lot of tourists and scientists from all over the world. However, the complexity of the Geyzernaya river valley is not completely understood yet, because earlier research has primarily focused on specific species or habitats, rather than on linking different ecosystem components and spatio-temporal dynamics of natural processes. The Atlas of the Geyzernaya river valley has become the first attempt to show the complexity and extreme vulnerability of the valley's ecosystem, as well as to gather all collected information about this area into one set of maps, understandable and useful both for public and scientists. To create the Atlas our team collected and integrated information from different databases, archives and papers, digitised and actualised existing maps, consulting specialists and rangers. Besides we conducted our own detailed ground studies during 2009–2014. As a result a set of more than 80 full-colour maps, 3D models and charts, 100 photos as well as essays of leading researchers in the area have firstly brought together the following data: a) information about relief, geology, climate, land cover, vegetation, threatened plants, soils, natural dynamics of the landscape; b) international significance, discovery of its history and modern use; c) recreational durability and relationships between different ecosystem components. Using the Atlas, many people are able to access, view and analyse various data about the Geyzernaya river valley and its features for a better understanding of its uniqueness, vulnerability and necessity to conserve this outstanding ecosystem.
