Marine Mammal Research Programsin the Russian Arctic
A. N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolutionof the Russian Academy of Sciences
D.M. Glazov
Deputy Head of Beluga-White Whale Program, IEE RAS

www.sev-in.ru

www.sevin-expedition.ru
Moscow, December 12, 2021

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CURRENT THREATS TO
BIODIVERSITY IN THE ARCTIC

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CLIMATE CHANGE

GROWING HUMAN IMPACT
CUMULATIVEHUMAN
IMPACT

Halpern, Benjamin S., et al. "A global map of human impact on marine ecosystems." Science 319.5865 (2008): 948-952

GROWING HUMAN IMPACT
LICENSE AREAS

SHIPPING TRAFFICGROWING HUMAN IMPACT

Northern Sea Route (transit)
Local traffic
Active traffic for oil and gas
Tourism
Military traffic
Other

GROWING HUMAN IMPACT
HABITAT POLLUTIONGROWING HUMAN IMPACTINTENSIVE FISHINGGROWING HUMAN IMPACT
INCREASED MILITARY ACTIVITY

Current threats to marine mammals and polar bears• Climate change and shrinking ice sheets• Intensive shipping traffic via the NSR• Onshore infrastructure development• Growing tourism, including spontaneous visits• Higher chemical and acoustic pollution• Active fishing in new sea areas• Growing concerns• For the polar bear – more conflict situations
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Coupled with climate warming, increased
anthropopression may cause a cumulative negative
impact on marine mammals and polar bears

11Current approaches to the conservation of marine
mammals and polar bears in Russia• Current work programs in specially protected nature conservation
marine areas. E.g., The Russian Arctic National Program.
• Conservation programs (strategies) for certain key species. For example,
polar bear, gray whale, etc.

• Sectoral and corporate programs for biodiversity conservation with thefocus on indicator species. For example, programs of Rosneft and Gazpromneft• Individual programs developed and implemented by civil-society groups.
For example, Russian Geographic Society, Marine Mammal Council,
Clean Seas Foundation, Native Cities Foundation• ……...
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The disadvantages of the current approach :Studies focus on individual species
Their role as indicator species is not fully understood andproven
The habitat of these species and the ecosystem as a wholeremain outside the focus of scientists, especially those insectoral researchThere are still no tools to track trends within ecosystems,
including negative trends……..
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A holistic approach to theconservation and management ofbiological resources in the Arctic

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A holistic approach aims to create a unified system of monitoring
and adaptive decision-making.
The system allows a flexible and rapid response to the changing
habitat of species and communities of fauna and flora based on
various inputs.
The system offers a more comprehensive ecosystem approachrather than a mere species focus.

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DATA CHALLENGES
Lack of of up-to-date data on most MM species in the Arctic
Lack of cooperation between different research groups and lack ofa well-established system for collecting opportunistic observationsof marine mammals
Restricted access to data collected during oil and gas operations
‘Departmental’ mandates for individual MM species
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COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS OF THE
INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

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A comprehensive approach to data collection

A comprehensive approach to data collection (2019 results)

Partners:
TRANSARKTIKA-2019
Russian Arctic NP
SevUGMSL-410 airplaneВоздушная лаборатория
flight range: > 1,000 km at full load
passenger capacity: at least 6 people(2 pilots, 2 observers on both sides, one monitoring
equipment operator, cameraman, photographer)

Requirements for aircraft for aerial observations of marine mammals:
high-wing airplane
en-route speed– +- 200 km¥h
en-route altitude: 300-400 m

airborne time: > 5 hours

La-8 amphibian planeFlying lab equipment
Tailoredsystem of professional
video shooting fromthe plane

Onboard operated
monitoring equipment.
Frame rate:
10-15 / minConvex blister
portholes
on both sides of theplanefor visual observation

Hemispherical portholes
on both sides of the plane tophotograph objects ofobservation

Observations from the altitude of 280m

Expedition routes

Routes ofinterestin the Karaand Barents
Seas
31.07.21.08.2020

Routes ofinterestin the Laptev
Sea
21.0508.06.2021

Assessing the Sustainability of Arctic Ecosystems
Based on a Study of Key Species Dynamics

Arctic Research Center LLC

Key species
The goal is to assess the current stateand sustainability of Arctic ecosystems
based on a study of the dynamics of key
speciesMonitoring the status of bioindicator species and implementation of the biodiversity
conservation program at the Company's license areas;
Improving the efficiency of environmental protection planning as part of commercialoperations.

Ivory gull
Pagophila eburneanWalrus
Odobenus rosmarus

Polar bearUrsus maritimus

Rangifer
Rangifer tarandus

Red Book category - 3 - rare endemic subspecies
with declining numbers
International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Red List category - "near threatened" (NT)Red Book category - 2 - declining in numbers for theAtlantic subspecies, 3 - rare for the Laptev
subspecies
International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Red List category - "vulnerable" (VU)

Red Book category is.
4 - uncertain status for the Kara-Barents Sea population,
3 - rare for the Laptev population,
5 - recovering for the Chukotka-Alaska population
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)Red List category - "vulnerable" (VU)

International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) Red List category - "vulnerable" (VU)

Study and monitoring of walrus populations:
Research methods and area
Methods:

Observations from ships, air and land in key habitats (Pechora Sea, Novaya
Zemlya, Franz Josef Land);Satellite tagging;Use of remote sensing data (high resolution satellite images) to take stock ofwalruses in coastal and ice haulouts;
Assessment of forage base (non-invasive methods). Assessment of forage
stocks according to existing benthic maps and sampling in key areas;
Collection of biological specimens for laboratory research: molecular
genetic, microbiological, toxicological, immunological, parasitological,virological analyses.
Expected results:
Obtain objective data on the number of Atlantic and Laptev subspecies ofwalrus, and assess their current status;
Species habitat in the Russian Arctic

Area of studies – species habitat in the Russian Arctic
with an emphasis on the Atlantic subspecies (Kara andBarents Seas)

Design measures to protect rare and vulnerable species and critical
habitats;
Develop new non-invasive and more effective methods of recording andmonitoring the status of populations;Publish a summary brochure and research papers on the results of thestudies.

Study and monitoring ofwalrus populations:
Research methods and area

Study and monitoring of the polar bear population:
Research methods and area
Methods:
Special aerial observations (surveillance);
Installation of collars with satellite transmitters. Remote observation of the movement ofindividuals using satellite telemetry;
Collection of biological specimens for laboratory research: molecular genetic,microbiological, toxicological, immunological, parasitological, virological analyses;
Analysis of satellite images to assess the seasonal distribution of individuals andlocations of presumed dens and to monitor ice habitats (including from pugmarks).

Expected results:
Obtain objective data on the number of polar bear populations in the Russian Arctic,
primarily the Kara-Barents Sea population, and assess their current status;
Design measures to protect rare and vulnerable species and critical habitats;Species habitat in the Russian Arctic

Area of studies - species habitat in the Russian Arctic
with a focus on the Kara-Barents Sea population

Develop new non-invasive and more effective methods of recording and monitoring thestatus of populations (using high resolution satellite images);
Publish a summary brochure and research papers on the results of the studies.

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DATA PORTAL
MAMMALS OF RUSSIA

www.rusmam.ru

The project was initiated by
the working group on the atlas of the distributionof mammals of Russia of the Theriological Societyof the Russian Academy of Sciences.

www.rusmam.ru

www.rusmam.ru

The main goal of the project:collecting as much information as possible on
the distribution of mammals in the RussianFederation and providing free (ranked) accessto this information

www.rusmam.ru

Tasks:
 Support a growing demand from professionals,hobbyists, and government agencies for detailed
published data on animal distribution
 Ensure correct identification of mammal species(unlike birds, mammal identification is often available only toexperts)

 Provide professional support to educational
programs

www.rusmam.ru

MAIN TASK:
Compile an Atlas of mammal distribution
in the European part of Russia
eventually
Atlas of mammal distribution throughout
the Russian Federation

Mammals of Russia

Mammals of Russia

JOIN US!

www.rusmam.ru

DATA ANALYSIS AND USE

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Development of a system of marine protectedareas in the Arctic seas of Russia

Project Objective:
Develop a representative, ecologically coherent, andeffective system of marine protected areas that wouldensure the conservation of biodiversity and functioningof ecosystems in the Russian Arctic seas with accounttaken of climate change and socio-economic
development of the region.

Development of a system of marine protectedareas in the Arctic seas of Russia
Network of important marine areas in the Russian Arctic

46 marine protected areas~ 25 % of EEZDevelopment of a system of marine protected areas in
the Arctic seas of Russia

Development of a system of MPAs (marineprotected areas).
WWF Russia, together with leading experts,
has identified 47 most important areas.
Possible restrictions on economic activity andamendments to laws are suggested.

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MITIGATING HUMAN IMPACT45

Seminar on the training of marine mammalobservers in the exploration anddevelopment of offshore oil and gas
license areas

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Workshops

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Onboard workshops

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Exam and certification

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INPUTS TO REGULATORY DOCUMENTS

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Biodiversity Conservation Program
Gazprom Group
based on the list of flora and fauna species that are theindicators of sustainable status of marine ecosystems in the Arctic
region of the Russian Federation

Methodological Recommendations for
Reducing Impacts on Large Cetaceans
during Commercial Operations

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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