THE ROLE OF PROTECTED AREAS IN CONSERVING RARE FUNGI, LICHENS AND PLANTS IN THE GREEN BELT OF FENNOSCANDIA (MURMANSK REGION)

Abstract

The diversity and distribution of rare and threatened fungi, lichens, mosses, liverworts and vascular plants listed in the Red Data Books of the Murmansk Region (regionally red-listed) and Russia (nationally red-listed) within the Murmansk part of the Green Belt of Fennoscandia (GBF) are discussed. Records include 261 regionally red-listed species (8 species of fungi, 57 lichens, 31 liverworts, 55 mosses, and 110 vascular plants), i. e. 63.5 % of the total pool of red-listed species, and 17 nationally red-listed species (4 lichens, 5 liverworts, 1 moss and 7 vascular plants). Protected areas harbor 17 of the 30 nationally red-listed species known from the Murmansk Region, and 219 of the 411 regionally red-listed species, proving that protected areas inside GBF play an essential role in nature conservation in the Murmansk Region. The protected areas of greatest conservation significance for a majority of the analyzed groups are the Kutsa Nature Reserve (Zakaznik), Pasvik Stat Nature Reserve and Poluostrova Rybachy and Sredny Nature Park. For 43 red-listed species there are no records from protected areas inside GBF, including such species rare in the Murmansk Region as Peltigera lyngei, Carexatherodes, Botrychium lanceolatum, Lomatogonium rotatum, Draba nivalis, D. lactea, Flaviporus ci-trinellus, Skeletocutis lilacina, Chaenothecopsis fennica, Frullania tamarisci, Scapania simmonsii, Rhabdoweisia fugax, Tortula mucronifolia, Tanacetum bipinnatum, etc.). The priority steps to be taken to secure the preservation of rare and vulnerable species populations are reorganization of the Kutsa Nature Reserve into a Nature Park and alteration of the boundaries of the Poluostrova Rybachy and Sredny Nature Park.

Keywords

• красная книга мурманской области
• особо охраняемые природные территории
• грибы
• лишайники
• печеночники
• мхи
• сосудистые растения
• зеленый пояс фенноскандии